Before you fly: weight, seats, photos and safety

A helicopter tour is simple on the day, but a few rules surprise people at check-in. Here is what to expect, from the scales to the seat you will get.

Weight and seating

Every passenger is weighed at check-in. HeliNY's limit is 275 lb per person, other operators set limits around 250 lb, and nobody who needs a seat-belt extender can fly. Seats are then assigned to balance the aircraft, so the front seat next to the pilot goes to whoever fits the balance best; ask politely and you may get it. On a full shared flight six people ride together and one sits in the middle of the back row. If that would spoil it, choose a private flight.

What to bring, and what not to

Bring government-issued photo ID and very little else: bags go into free lockers and only a phone, camera and sunglasses come aboard. Use a wrist strap. At night wear dark clothing and hold the lens near the glass to avoid reflections.

Weather and safety

Low cloud, strong wind and storms ground flights, and operators rebook or refund; every tour on this site also cancels free up to 24 hours ahead on Viator. On safety: the fatal Hudson River crash of April 10, 2025 involved New York Helicopter Tours, which the FAA shut down days later and which is not listed here; NTSB investigators have reported bird-strike evidence, with a final report still to come. The operators on this page fly under FAA commercial rules. For the costs, see what it costs.