Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

Hengill is the star here: a volcanic and geothermal area where a helicopter can set you down beside steaming ground, colorful rock, and a thermal pond. From above, you also see Icelandic scenery that roads and hiking paths cannot reach, including the Hellisheiði Plateau and the volcanic ridges near Reykjavik.

I like the small five-person group, which makes the flight feel personal rather than like an aerial bus ride. I also like that the 25-minute landing gives you time to leave the helicopter, look around, and take in the setting instead of snapping a few photos and lifting off again.

The main drawback is the price, about $599.56 per person. That is a serious splurge for roughly an hour in the air, and cloudy or windy weather can force a change of date or cancellation.

Key points at a glance

• A 25-minute landing at Hengill: You have time to walk around a geothermal setting instead of only viewing it through a window.
• A maximum of five people: The small cabin helps you get a clearer view and a more personal experience.
• Several major sights in one flight: The route includes Hellisheiði, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, Bláfjöll, and Reykjavik.
• Fuel and landing fees are included: The advertised price is less likely to grow with surprise aircraft charges.
• A weather-dependent outing: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.
• A Reykjavik Airport departure: You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík, making this practical for a short city stay.

Why Hengill works so well from the air

Hengill is close enough to Reykjavik for a short helicopter outing, yet it feels far removed from the city. It is a volcanic and geothermal area shaped by heat beneath the earth. From the air, you can see the broad reach of the terrain, while the landing gives you a more immediate sense of the steam, colors, and rough ground.

That mix is the reason I find this tour more appealing than a simple scenic flight. You get both the wide view and a brief chance to stand in the setting itself. One of the strongest details from the experience is the chance to walk around a thermal pond after landing, with open views around you.

The landing is scheduled for about 25 minutes. That is long enough to get out, take photographs, look toward the surrounding gorges and rivers, and ask your pilot questions. It is not a hike or a full geothermal visit, so you should think of it as a carefully timed taste of Hengill rather than a day in the area.

The flight from Reykjavik Airport

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport. The tour begins with the helicopter leaving the domestic airport and heading toward the Hellisheiði Plateau. The total experience lasts about 50 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes, so this fits neatly into a Reykjavik itinerary without taking a full day.

The small aircraft matters. With a maximum of five people, you are not sharing the experience with a large crowd. The compact group also makes it easier to hear the pilot and ask questions during the flight, though exact seating and window positions can vary.

The helicopter used for the flight has been described as modern and clean, and the pilot is responsible for both safe flying and commentary. You can expect the pilot to point out notable features and answer questions as the helicopter moves slowly over especially scenic areas. That commentary is useful because volcanic ground can look abstract from above unless someone explains what you are seeing.

You should arrive ready for a quick-moving experience. The tour is short, and the aircraft covers several places before returning to Reykjavik. Wear practical clothing for the landing, since the Hengill stop takes you outside rather than keeping you in the cabin.

Hellisheiði Plateau and the power plants

The first part of the route crosses Hellisheiði, also called Hellisheiði Plateau. This broad volcanic area gives you an early look at the open Icelandic terrain outside Reykjavik. The view from above helps you understand how close the capital is to large stretches of raw, sparsely settled ground.

The flight also covers Hellisheiðarvirkjun, one of the geothermal power facilities in the area. From the air, you can see the relationship between Iceland’s volcanic activity and its use of geothermal energy. The stop is not a separate visit to the power plant, so do not expect an indoor tour or a detailed engineering presentation. It is an aerial look at an important part of Iceland’s energy system.

Nesjavallavirkjun is also included. Like Hellisheiðarvirkjun, it adds a human and practical element to the flight. You are not just looking at mountains and steam. You are seeing how Iceland uses the heat beneath its volcanic regions for power and heating.

I like having these sites in the route because they add context. A scenic flight can become a string of attractive views with little meaning. Here, the volcanic setting and the power facilities show two sides of Iceland: wild natural forces and careful use of those forces.

The 25-minute Hengill landing

The landing at Hengill is the heart of the experience. After the helicopter touches down, you have about 25 minutes on the ground. You can walk around the landing area, take photographs, and look for signs of geothermal activity such as warm ground, steam, and unusual colors.

A thermal pond is specifically associated with the landing experience. The water and mineral-stained ground can create the kind of close-up details that are difficult to appreciate from a helicopter window. Keep your attention on where you walk, since geothermal areas can contain hot ground and unstable surfaces. The supplied tour information does not give detailed safety instructions, so follow the pilot’s directions closely and remain within the permitted area.

The landing area also provides broad views across the surrounding scenery. You may see gorges and rivers from the air and from the ground, though the exact view depends on weather and the pilot’s route. The pilot may make slow passes over the best features, giving you time to look from both sides of the cabin.

One description of the experience also refers to walking on a glacier before visiting hot springs. That detail does not appear in the stated route, which centers on the Hengill geothermal area, so I would confirm the exact landing conditions when booking if glacier footing is important to you. The dependable promise is the Hengill landing and geothermal setting.

Bláfjöll and the return over Reykjavik

After Hengill, the helicopter covers Bláfjöll. These volcanic mountains are close to the capital and help show the scale of the region around Reykjavik. Their ridges and open slopes look different from the geothermal ground at Hengill, giving the flight some visual variety.

The final aerial section passes over Reykjavik before returning to the airport. This is a useful finish because you get a fresh view of the city after seeing the volcanic areas around it. From above, you can connect the compact urban center with the open plateau, mountains, and geothermal zones nearby.

The order of the route may shift because helicopters must work around weather and operating conditions. The main value is the combination of city, plateau, volcanic area, geothermal facilities, and landing site within one short outing.

What the small group changes

A maximum of five people is one of the best practical features here. Helicopter cabins are small, so a large group can make the flight feel cramped and make it harder to get a clear view. With only a few participants, you have a better chance of hearing the pilot and taking photographs without constant obstruction.

A small group does not guarantee every person gets the same view at every moment. The helicopter turns, the route changes, and seats can have different sightlines. Still, the compact format makes the experience more personal and less rushed.

The pilot’s role is important. The best part of the commentary is not a long lecture, but short explanations while you pass a river, gorge, power station, or volcanic ridge. Several details from the experience point to a pilot who answers questions and flies slowly over notable areas. If you enjoy understanding what you see rather than simply collecting aerial photographs, that is a real benefit.

Is $599.56 a fair price?

At about $599.56 per person, this is an expensive excursion. You are paying for a helicopter, an experienced pilot, aircraft operation, fuel, landing permissions, and a small group. Fuel surcharges and landing fees are included, which makes the price easier to assess from the start.

The value depends on what you want from Iceland. If you have limited time in Reykjavik and want to reach a geothermal area without spending hours on roads, the flight gives you a lot in under 70 minutes. You see several areas and get out at Hengill.

If you are mainly looking for a low-cost way to see Icelandic scenery, this is not the right choice. Land-based trips cost less and usually provide more time at each location. A helicopter flight is best treated as a special occasion, not an efficient replacement for a full day of sightseeing.

I would consider it good value for a birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, or final-day splurge, especially if the landing matters to you. If you only want an aerial view, the price may feel harder to justify. The 25-minute stop is what gives the outing more substance than a quick loop above Reykjavik.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator can offer another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but you should still avoid placing the tour on the one day when you must catch a flight or leave Reykjavik.

The experience is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 56 days. That suggests you should plan ahead if your Iceland dates are fixed. At the same time, the weather policy means you should keep some flexibility around the booking.

The tour is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. Food is not included, but the outing is short enough that this should not be a problem. Eat before or after if you need something substantial.

The listed total weight limit is 265 pounds per passenger. This is an important detail to check before booking. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation, but the operator should be contacted if you have a specific concern about the aircraft, landing, or physical activity.

Who should book this helicopter tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to someone who wants a short, memorable introduction to Iceland’s volcanic and geothermal character. It suits you if you prefer a personal small-group activity, enjoy photography, or want to see places that are difficult to reach from roads.

It is also a good choice for repeat visitors who have already seen Reykjavik’s main sights. The aerial view changes your sense of the region, and the Hengill landing adds something more active than a city tour.

You may want to skip it if you dislike flying, have no flexibility for weather changes, or would rather spend $599.56 on several land-based outings. The tour is not designed for a long walk, a full geothermal bath, or a detailed visit inside a power plant.

The experience has earned a 4.9 rating from 15 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. Those figures are encouraging, but the sample is small. I would give more weight to the specific features: the modern, clean helicopter, the skilled-feeling pilot service, the clear views from the cabin, and the chance to walk near a thermal pond.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a compact aerial adventure with a real landing, not just a helicopter ride over Reykjavik. Hengill provides the memorable moment, while Hellisheiði, the power plants, Bláfjöll, and the return over the capital fill out the story.

I would book it early, leave room in your schedule for weather changes, and confirm the exact landing conditions if you are expecting glacier terrain. For a once-in-Iceland splurge, this offers a strong mix of scenery, geothermal detail, and personal attention. For a budget-conscious trip, it is a luxury rather than a necessity.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport in Reykjavik. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is 50 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes.

How long does the helicopter land at Hengill?

The helicopter stops in the Hengill geothermal area for about 25 minutes.

What places does the flight cover?

The route includes Hellisheiði Plateau, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, Bláfjöll, and an aerial pass over Reykjavik.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of five participants.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.