NYC Operator · Tier 1
Zip Aviation
Bell 407 fleet plus a Sikorsky S-76C++ twin-engine for groups up to eight — the only NYC sightseeing operator with a medium twin helicopter on the line.
Two brand names, one operation
Zip Aviation flies from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (JRB) under founder and CEO Itai Shoshani (the company since 2004) and Chief Pilot Dillon David Schroder. The fleet covers four single-engine Bells (407, 407GX, 206L4 LongRanger IV and the bright-yellow "Bumblebee" 407) plus one Sikorsky S-76C++ — a twin-engine medium helicopter rare in NYC sightseeing, used for groups of seven to eight or VIP charters. The same company also runs the Manhattan Helicopters brand: identical crew, identical fleet, identical booking backend, different brand name — see the transparency note above. Tour briefings and crew languages cover English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese and Portuguese. Some tours have a 4-passenger minimum to depart; if you book as a couple you may be combined with other guests or rescheduled.
Zip Aviation tours
Four tour types from Downtown Manhattan and Essex County NJ. Live "from" prices update every hour.
Fleet
Four aircraft across two heliports — the most diverse sightseeing fleet in NYC.
Sikorsky S-76C++
8 seats
Twin-engine medium helicopter for groups of seven or eight, VIP charters and corporate flights. Quietest cabin in the sightseeing market and the only NYC tour helicopter with an externally certified two-engine safety profile.
Bell 407 "Bumblebee"
6 seats
The signature bright-yellow Bell 407 — instantly recognisable on Instagram and the most-photographed sightseeing helicopter in NYC airspace.
Bell 407GX
6 seats
Glass-cockpit upgrade of the Bell 407 — larger windows for the photo seats and reduced cabin noise on longer Grand Tours.
Bell 206L4 LongRanger IV
6 seats
The classic Bell 206L4 LongRanger IV — six passengers, proven reliability, the workhorse for daily Manhattan tours since the 1990s.
Frequently asked questions
Does Zip Aviation include the heliport fee in the booking price?
No. Zip Aviation collects the $40 Downtown Manhattan Heliport facility fee per person at check-in — it is not included in the price you see on GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Headout or Viator. Tours from Essex County Airport (Caldwell, NJ) do not have this fee.
Why do some Zip tours require 4 passengers?
The Grand Island Tour (25–30 min) and the Night Skyline Tour run on the Sikorsky S-76C++ or a full Bell 407 — both economically need 4 passengers to depart. If you book as a couple you will be combined with other guests on the same departure slot, or rescheduled if no other guests book. The shorter 15-min and 20-min Bell 407 tours have no minimum.
Are flight photos included with Zip Aviation tours?
A camera on the rotor mast and one in the cabin record every flight. The photos are not included; Zip Aviation offers them as an optional digital download at the heliport after the flight (typical price $40–$60 per flight). You are free to bring your own camera or phone — closed-toe shoes and a lanyard or wrist strap on the phone are required.
When does Zip Aviation fly the Sikorsky instead of a Bell 407?
The Sikorsky S-76C++ is dispatched for groups of seven or eight passengers, full-charter VIP bookings and weather conditions where the operator prefers the redundancy of a twin engine. On a normal Bell 407 booking you cannot specifically request the Sikorsky — the dispatcher assigns aircraft. To guarantee the Sikorsky, book a private VIP charter through Zip Aviation directly.
Find the right Zip Aviation 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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