Glimpse of London Helicopter Tour
Take to the skies for around 18 minutes in the air and experience the helicopter as much as the destination. Watch the landscape open beneath you as London gathers on the horizon and the capital’s skyline becomes part of the view.
One voucher. Choose your participating departure point and flying date later.
The helicopter comes first. London follows.
Glimpse is the shortest shared London flight in our range, built around the experience of taking to the air and seeing the capital gather on the horizon.
From lift-off, the view changes quickly. Roads, fields and towns fall into a broader landscape as the helicopter climbs and the horizon opens around you.
London is part of that wider panorama rather than the flight taking you over the central sightseeing corridor. The skyline can appear in the distance while the helicopter experience itself remains a big part of what you are buying.
If your priority is the sensation of flying with a first view towards London, Glimpse is designed for exactly that. If you want the capital itself beneath you, the City and Grand tours are designed around that experience.
Make the capital the main event.
Glimpse gives you the helicopter experience with London on the horizon. If you came here wanting the Thames, skyline and famous landmarks below you, take a look at the City and Grand tours.
City of London Helicopter Tour
Around 30 minutes in the air gives London time to take over the view. The skyline, Thames and famous landmarks become the reason for the flight.
Grand Tour of London by Helicopter
Around 50 minutes flying gives you much longer with the capital, with time to settle into the view and enjoy London as a full sightseeing experience from the air.
From boarding to the view from above.
The Glimpse may be a compact flight, but there is a lot packed into the experience. From climbing aboard to that first lift away from the ground, every stage adds something to the day.
Climb aboard
After check-in and the pre-flight briefing, it is time to head out to the helicopter. This is where the experience stops being something you are watching and becomes your flight.
Once everyone is aboard, the cabin suddenly feels very different from an ordinary day out. The helicopter itself is already part of the occasion.
Your Glimpse of London starts here.
Around 18 minutes in the air, with the helicopter experience at the heart of it and London gathering on the horizon.
One voucher. 12 months to choose when and where you fly from.
You can secure the Glimpse without committing to a departure point today. Choose from the four participating locations and arrange the flying date that works for you within the voucher period.
Start from the side of London that suits you.
Glimpse is offered from four participating departure points around the west, south and east of London. Select a location to see where the experience begins.
A western departure point for the Glimpse from Fairoaks Airport, just north of Woking.
Exact joining instructions are supplied for your booked flying date.
A few things worth knowing before you choose.
Glimpse has a different character from our longer London tours. These answers should help you decide whether it is the flight you actually want.
Does the Glimpse fly over central London?
No, and that is an important distinction to know before you book. Glimpse is about the helicopter experience and the wider view towards London, rather than flying over the central sightseeing corridor.
If what you really want is London beneath you, the City Tour is only £40 more and is likely to be the better choice.
How is Glimpse different from the City Tour?
Think of Glimpse as your first helicopter experience with London in the picture. On the City Tour, London becomes the picture.
You get around 12 more minutes in the air for £40 more, with the capital itself becoming the focus of the flight.
What will I actually see?
You will see the landscape around your departure point open up beneath you, with roads, fields, towns and the wider horizon suddenly making much more sense from the air.
London becomes part of that panorama as conditions and routing allow. Glimpse is not sold as a landmark-by-landmark flight over central London, so individual landmarks should not be treated as guaranteed views.
Where can I fly the Glimpse from?
The four participating departure points are Fairoaks Airport near Woking, Redhill Aerodrome, Redcroft Fields near South Ockendon and Grays Helipad.
You do not need to decide the location when you buy the voucher. Choose the experience first, then arrange the participating departure point and flying date afterwards.
How long should I allow for the whole experience?
The flying time is around 18 minutes, while the overall visit is approximately 60 minutes.
That extra time covers check-in, the safety briefing and the normal preparations before you head out to the helicopter.
Will it always be a Bell JetRanger?
Not necessarily. Flights can use aircraft such as the Bell 206 JetRanger, but the exact helicopter may vary by departure point, operating day and fleet availability.
Whichever aircraft operates your flight, the helicopter itself is a big part of the Glimpse experience.
Can children take the Glimpse?
Yes. The current minimum age is six. For a child who has never flown in a helicopter before, the aircraft can be every bit as exciting as the view outside.
Any accompanying-adult requirements should be checked against the booking terms when you arrange the flight.
Are there passenger weight limits?
Yes. The current maximum passenger weight is 95 kg.
Helicopters have to be loaded and balanced carefully, so passenger weight is collected during the booking process as part of normal flight planning.
What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
Helicopter flying is weather dependent, so there will be days when the safest decision is not to fly.
If that happens, the experience can be rearranged for another suitable date in line with the booking terms and availability. A clear day is worth waiting for when the view is such a big part of the experience.
One voucher, 12 months to make it happen.
Secure the Glimpse now, then choose your participating departure point and flying date afterwards.
Choose a full London sightseeing tour.
If the reason you came here was to see the capital itself from above, these are the two sightseeing tours to look at next.
