NYC Operator · Zip Aviation brand
Manhattan Helicopters
A brand name of Zip Aviation — same fleet, same crew, same Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Sells mostly through Viator under the Manhattan Helicopters name.
The Manhattan Helicopters brand explained
Manhattan Helicopters is the second brand name used by the operator behind Zip Aviation — identical company, identical fleet of Bell 407 and Sikorsky S-76C++ aircraft, identical pilots, identical Downtown Manhattan Heliport (JRB) gate. The two brand names cover different reseller channels: Zip Aviation is the primary direct-booking and GetYourGuide brand, Manhattan Helicopters is the Viator-channel brand. The tour itself is the same — Classic Manhattan (12–15 min), Deluxe Manhattan (17–20 min) and the VIP Manhattan tour (25–30 min, 4-passenger minimum). If you compare prices and see the same tour listed under both names, you are comparing identical flights — pick the cheaper booking. Tour briefings cover nine languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin and Japanese.
Manhattan Helicopters tours
Three Manhattan tours — Classic, Deluxe, VIP. Live "from" prices update every hour.
Fleet
Identical fleet to Zip Aviation — the Sikorsky S-76C++ twin-engine for VIP groups plus three single-engine Bell variants (407 "Bumblebee", 407GX, 206L4 LongRanger).
Sikorsky S-76C++
8 seats
Twin-engine Sikorsky S-76C++ for groups of seven or eight and VIP charter bookings. Quieter cabin, twin-engine redundancy — assigned at dispatch, not bookable as a fixed option on standard tours.
Bell 407 "Bumblebee"
6 seats
Six-passenger Bell 407 in the bright-yellow "Bumblebee" livery — Zip Aviation's most-photographed aircraft and a common assignment on the Classic and Deluxe Manhattan tours. Assigned at dispatch; you cannot pre-select a specific aircraft.
Bell 407GX
6 seats
Six-passenger Bell 407GX — the updated glass-cockpit variant of the 407 with Garmin G1000H avionics. Same six-seat capacity, slightly newer airframe. Assigned at dispatch.
Bell 206L4 LongRanger IV
6 seats
Six-passenger Bell 206L4 LongRanger IV — older but rock-solid single-engine workhorse, still part of the rotation on standard Manhattan tours. Assigned at dispatch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Manhattan Helicopters and Zip Aviation?
Nothing operationally. Same company, same fleet (Bell 407 + Sikorsky S-76C++), same pilots, same Downtown Manhattan Heliport gate, same flight routes. The names differ because of historical reseller distribution: Manhattan Helicopters built its brand on Viator and continues to sell there, while Zip Aviation is the direct-booking and GetYourGuide brand. When you compare prices across the four resellers, identical-tour entries under both names are not duplicates — they are the same flight at different prices. Always book the cheaper one.
Does Manhattan Helicopters include the heliport fee?
No. The $40 Downtown Manhattan Heliport facility fee is paid per person at check-in and is not included in the price you see on Viator, GetYourGuide or Tiqets. All Manhattan Helicopters tours depart from the JRB heliport — there is no New Jersey alternative under this brand name.
Can I book Manhattan Helicopters on a Sunday?
No. Manhattan Helicopters operates only from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, and that heliport is closed for sightseeing on Sundays under the FAA noise-abatement framework. For a Sunday flight, switch to a NJ-departure operator: HeliNY from Linden, Charm Aviation from Caldwell, or Zip Aviation's own Night Skyline Tour from Essex County (Zip Aviation = same company, different brand).
Do I need ID for a Manhattan Helicopters flight?
Yes — government-issued photo ID for every passenger including children. Passport, driver's license, national ID card or US state ID are all accepted. The heliport enforces ID checks, not the operator. Without ID, boarding can be refused without refund.
Find the right Manhattan Helicopters tour
Compare live prices across GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Headout and Viator. We do not handle bookings — you book directly with the seller.
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