From Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour to Hengill with Landing

Raw volcanic country is best seen from above. This helicopter flight from Reykjavik sweeps across the Hellisheiði plateau, where lava fields, basalt mountains, steam, and moss-covered rock form a remarkably wild view so close to the capital. I like the small group of up to five and the chance to land in Hengill rather than simply circle it. The English-speaking pilot also adds useful context about Reykjavik, volcanoes, and the surrounding country.

The main drawback is the price: $529 per person for roughly an hour is a serious splurge. Weather can also shape the experience, since the value depends heavily on clear views and a comfortable landing. Still, for a short Iceland trip, this gives you scenery that would take far longer to reach by road.

Key points to know before takeoff

• Hengill landing: About 15 minutes are set aside on geothermal ground near the Hengill volcano, with time to look around and see hot springs.
• Hellisheiði from the air: The route crosses lava-covered fields, basalt mountains, mossy rock, steaming areas, and lines of cairns.
• Short but focused flight: The full experience lasts about 50 to 70 minutes, including 25 to 35 minutes of guided flying.
• Small aircraft group: A maximum of five participants keeps the outing more personal than a large sightseeing operation.
• Several major volcanic areas: The flight includes views connected with Hellisheidi, Hengill, Bláfjöll, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, and Nesjavallavirkjun.
• Strong guide praise: Laura was singled out for friendly, professional explanations about volcanoes, while another pilot calmly explained the route and surroundings.

Leaving Reykjavik for Hellisheiði

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík, the fixed-base aviation facility used for the departure. That is a useful detail to confirm before you go, since this is not a standard city-center bus pickup. The experience begins with a helicopter flight, so you should plan your arrival around the scheduled start time shown when you check availability.

The flight heads toward Hellisheiði, a high plateau in Iceland’s Capital Region. From the air, the road network and town edges give way quickly to broad fields of old lava, dark rock, and open volcanic country. The view is not polished or carefully arranged. That is exactly the point. You are looking at ground shaped by heat, eruptions, weather, and time.

A helicopter is particularly useful here because the terrain is spread out. From a road, you see one valley or power station at a time. From above, you can connect the pieces: lava flows, mountain ridges, steaming patches, and the long open stretches around Hengill. The pilot’s commentary helps turn those shapes into something you can understand rather than simply photograph.

The guided flying portion lasts about 25 to 35 minutes. The total outing is listed as 50 to 70 minutes, allowing for the landing and time on the ground. That makes this a compact experience, not a full-day flightseeing adventure. You get a concentrated look at southern Icelandic volcanic country, then return to Reykjavik.

What the Hellisheiði views reveal

The Hellisheiði plateau is described as one of Iceland’s most active volcanic areas. That does not mean you should expect an eruption during the flight. Instead, you see the signs of geothermal and volcanic activity in the terrain itself: lava-covered fields, exposed basalt, steaming hot springs, and mountains formed by volcanic forces.

The contrast in color can be striking. Dark lava is broken by pale or bright basalt, while green moss clings to rough rock in places. Rows of cairns may appear as small marks running into the distance. From a helicopter, those details become part of a larger pattern, and the scale of the plateau becomes easier to grasp.

The named areas connected with the flight include Hellisheidi, Hengill, Bláfjöll, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, and Nesjavallavirkjun. You should treat these as points or zones viewed along the route, not as separate stops where you leave the helicopter. The supplied details specifically identify the geothermal area around Hengill as the landing location.

Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun add an important human note to the trip. Their presence reflects Iceland’s use of geothermal energy in a region where the ground still shows strong volcanic activity. You may appreciate seeing how power infrastructure fits into the same terrain as lava and hot springs, although the main appeal remains the natural scenery.

Bláfjöll provides another change in the view, with its mountain setting adding shape and height to the route. The trip is not only about steam. You also get broad volcanic forms, broken rock, and the meeting point between mountains and lava fields.

The Hengill landing is the heart of the trip

The flight’s special feature is the landing in Hengill’s geothermal area. About 15 minutes are allocated for this part, which is enough to step out, look around, and take in the setting without turning the excursion into a long hike.

Hengill is named after the Hengill volcano, and the landing places you directly in the area associated with that volcanic force. You may see steaming geothermal features and hot springs close by. The experience is more memorable than an aerial pass because you are briefly standing in the same raw terrain you have just viewed from above.

A pilot took one party around after landing and pointed out the geothermal sources. That detail matters. The landing is not simply a quick touchdown for a photograph. The guide can connect what you see on the ground with the volcanic information shared during the flight.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The landing lasts about 15 minutes, so this is a short visit, not a walk through the whole Hengill area. The terrain is described as geothermal and volcanic, with beautiful but rough rock and moss-covered lava. Wear clothing suited to Icelandic conditions and expect the ground to feel natural rather than neatly prepared. The supplied details do not promise a long walk, so do not book this as a hiking tour.

The pilot and guide make a real difference

The quality of a short helicopter trip depends greatly on the person explaining it. You have an English-speaking live guide, plus an English audio guide. That gives you two ways to follow the story, though the most personal part appears to come from the pilot or guide speaking during the flight.

Laura received especially warm praise for being friendly and professional while sharing useful information about volcanoes. Another pilot was described as calm, clear, and generous with explanations about Reykjavik and the surrounding area. Those details suggest the commentary is not limited to basic safety instructions.

A good guide helps you notice why one mountain is different from another, why steam appears in certain areas, and how the volcanic ground relates to the power stations. You will get more from the views if you listen first and photograph second. The scenery changes quickly from a helicopter, and a short explanation can help you remember what you saw later.

The small group also helps. With space for no more than five participants, you are not competing with a busload of people for the guide’s attention. That does not guarantee a private flight, but it gives the outing a more personal feel and makes questions more practical.

What the one-hour format really means

The advertised duration is one hour, while the detailed timing allows 50 to 70 minutes. That small range is worth noticing. The flight itself includes about 25 to 35 minutes of guided sightseeing, and around 15 minutes on the ground at Hengill. The remaining time covers the movement between the departure point, the volcanic area, and the return.

This is enough time for a strong first view of the region, but not enough to see every corner of the named areas. If you want long walks, extensive geothermal exploration, or a full day outside, this will feel brief. If you have limited time in Reykjavik and want a high-impact outing, the short format works well.

The flight also lets you cover terrain that would require a much longer road trip to appreciate from ground level. You do not spend hours in a vehicle getting to a remote trailhead. Instead, you trade road time for a higher price and a shorter visit.

That trade is the central decision. I would see this as a special occasion activity, not a standard sightseeing add-on. It suits a first visit when your schedule is tight, or a return visit when you have already seen Iceland by road and want a different view.

Is $529 a fair price?

At $529 per person, this is expensive for a one-hour activity. The price includes the helicopter flight and the Hengill landing, but no meal, transport from your accommodation, or longer ground visit is specified. You are paying for aircraft time, a very small group, and access to an aerial view that ordinary road touring cannot provide.

The value improves if you care about volcanic geology, photography, or unusual ways to see Iceland. It also makes more sense if your itinerary does not include time for a longer trip through the volcanic areas around Hellisheiði and Hengill. In that case, the helicopter compresses a wide region into one focused hour.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a hot spring visit or a long geothermal walk. The ground time is only about 15 minutes, and the flight remains the main event. You should also consider the weather risk. A cloudy or poor-visibility day could reduce the visual payoff, even if the flight still operates.

The flexible booking terms help reduce some planning risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the exact departure time and availability before booking, since the experience runs at set starting times.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to you if you want a short, high-end view of Iceland’s volcanic interior without giving up a full day. It is especially well suited to people who enjoy geology, aerial photography, dramatic terrain, and guided explanation.

It also works for couples or small groups who value quiet access over the lowest price. A maximum of five participants keeps the setting more intimate, and the landing gives you a shared moment that feels different from a normal sightseeing flight.

You may want to skip it if you dislike helicopters, need a long ground excursion, or are watching your budget closely. Pregnant women are specifically listed as unable to take part. The experience is also less suitable if your main goal is a hot spring soak, since the landing involves seeing geothermal features rather than bathing.

Families should check the operator’s current participation rules before booking, because the supplied details do not give a minimum age. Do not assume that every child can join simply because the group is small.

Practical tips for making the most of it

Arrive at Ace FBO Reykjavík with enough time to find the correct aviation meeting point. The information provided does not include hotel pickup, so do not plan around a bus departure from your accommodation.

Check the forecast before committing to the day if your plans are flexible. Clear weather should make the lava fields, mountains, steam, and distant cairns easier to see. If you have a choice of times, use the one that fits your schedule and offers the best expected visibility.

Wear practical outdoor clothing rather than treating this like a city attraction. You will spend most of the experience in the helicopter, but the Hengill landing takes you onto rough geothermal ground. Good shoes and a warm outer layer are sensible choices, even for a short stop.

Keep your camera ready, but listen to the guide. A flight over Hellisheiði moves quickly, and the pilot’s explanation can give meaning to features that might otherwise blur into dark rock and distant ridges.

Should you book the Hengill helicopter tour?

Book it if you want an unusual, tightly timed way to see Iceland’s volcanic country and you can accept the $529 price. The best reasons are the small group, the aerial view across Hellisheiði, and the chance to land in Hengill and see geothermal sources at close range.

Skip it if you want a long outdoor outing, a low-cost activity, or a guaranteed clear view. For the right person, this is not simply a helicopter ride. It is a short lesson in how Iceland’s heat, rock, mountains, and energy production fit together, with the added thrill of standing briefly in the middle of it.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour meet?

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík in Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is about 50 to 70 minutes, and it is generally described as a one-hour tour.

How much time is spent flying?

About 25 to 35 minutes are allocated to the guided tour portion of the flight.

How long is the landing in Hengill?

About 15 minutes are allocated to landing in a geothermal area near Hengill.

What areas can I see during the flight?

The listed areas include Hellisheidi, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, and Bláfjöll.

Is the landing included in the price?

Yes. Landing is included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and an English audio guide is included.

How many people can join the group?

The experience is limited to five participants.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. Pregnant women are listed as not suitable for this activity.