It’s time to talk about flying around Yorkshire in a helicopter. Why? Because there’s much more to this North Eastern British county than Yorkshire puddings, tea and the Brontë sisters. When it comes to sightseeing, Yorkshire has got everything you could ask for: Interesting cityscapes, beautiful countryside, and quaint little villages.

What you might not have realised before is it also has a wide range of incredible helicopter tours, that allow you to see all these things and more from a unique vantage point of 1000 ft in the sky. 

We’ve put together a list of all the best helicopter sightseeing tours Yorkshire has to offer. So, no matter where you’re from, come and discover the beauty of Yorkshire and the excitement of helicopters!

12 Mile Helicopter Flight Experience

An 12-mile helicopter adventure awaits you at Beverley Airfield, nestled in the stunning Yorkshire countryside. The inviting clubhouse offers the perfect atmosphere for relaxation, camaraderie, and the joy of flying. Boasting a team of highly experienced instructors, holding current UK/EU licenses for private flying in light aircraft and microlights, are dedicated to providing top-notch pilot training. No matter your level of expertise or passion for flight, a heartfelt welcome awaits you at this esteemed flying club.

In just 20 minutes, you'll soar through the skies, taking in breath-taking aerial views of the picturesque countryside below. Feel the rush as you fly over rolling hills, meandering rivers, and charming villages, all from the unique perspective of a helicopter. Experienced pilots will ensure your safety and provide insightful commentary throughout the journey, adding to the excitement and making it an unforgettable adventure. 

6 Mile Helicopter Flight Experience

Experience the ultimate introduction to helicopter flights with this awe-inspiring helicopter adventure. Designed to fulfil the dreams of those who have always yearned to soar through the skies, this exhilarating 6-mile buzz flight promises an unforgettable journey. Embark on this quick and thrilling escapade, choosing from a selection of five breath-taking locations: Nottingham, the enchanting Peak District, scenic Yorkshire, captivating Skegness, or picturesque North Lancashire.

Whether you're seeking a truly remarkable family activity or a remarkable gift for an adventurous loved one, this extraordinary tour offers an opportunity to see Yorkshire & Humberside from above. Indulge their wanderlust and grant them a taste of the extraordinary with this remarkable helicopter flight experience!

Helicopter Sightseeing Tour of York

Departing from Leeds, this sightseeing tour of York has it all. This is a private flight, so the price of £480 allows you to book out the whole aircraft for up to 3 people, for an extensive and exclusive 40-minute experience with your expert pilot.

After the exhilarating take off, you’ll begin by flying over Bishops Wood to Selby Abbey. Next, it’s on to the ancient Roman city of York. You’ll see all the top sights such as The Walls, the Ouse and The Minister. But the tour doesn’t stop there! After you’ve soaked up York in all it’s glory, you’ll move on to another local Roman settlement, the town of Tadcaster. Finally, you’ll fly over Wetherby Racecourse, before flying back to Leeds along The Great North Road. 

York and Emmerdale Helicopter Flight Tour

The long-running soap Emmerdale was first broadcast in 1972, and has been in the nation’s hearts ever since.

The series is set in a fictional Yorkshire village, and has been filmed in several external locations around Yorkshire including Arncliffe and Esholt. However, all external scenes are now filmed on the Harewood Estate. With this extended York sightseeing tour, after experiencing the historic and beautiful sights York has to offer, you’ll then fly over to the Harewood Estate where you’ll get a sneak peek at the purpose-built set, covering a portion of the estate grounds.

Be sure to keep an eye out for The Woolpack, Home Farm and much more, as your pilot hovers as low as they can for you to get a good look!

20-Minute Helicopter Trial Flight in Yorkshire

Sightseeing tours aren’t the only exciting thing you can do in a helicopter. These 20-minute trial flights in York allow you to take the controls yourself, and feel the true exhilaration of what it’s like to be behind the controls of these unique aircrafts. You’ll also get plenty of time to take in the beautiful countryside views as you learn all about the ins and outs of flying a helicopter.

All helicopters have dual control up front, so the pilot will be on-hand to take over whenever necessary. They’ll spend the 20 minutes teaching you all about helicopters as well as showing you the sights. This is a great experience gift for anyone who wants to learn more about how these aircrafts operate or just wants to get up in the air with a more hands-on approach than a tour. 

North East Yorkshire Coastal Helicopter Tour

This helicopter sightseeing tour of the North East coastline is great for a group of 3 friends to get together on an exciting day trip like no other! The experience takes off from Sherburn Airfield, just east of Leeds. After the incredible vertical take-off, you’ll head towards Humber Estury, and the impressive Humber bridge, which links East Riding of Yorkshire to North Lincolnshire, across the Humber river. Next, you’ll pass over Hull and Beverley before reaching the Hornsea coastline. After getting a good view of the quaint seaside town, you’ll continue north along the coastline passing Filey, Briddlington and Scarborough, until you arrive at Whitby. Here you’ll get a good look at the town that inspired Bram Stocker’s Dracula, before turning around to fly back to base. What an eventful 45 minutes!  

Dambuster and Chatsworth Helicopter Tour

If you’re interested in history or films from the 1950's, you may already know who the Dambusters were.

For those of you who don’t, the Dambusters were a team of pilots who bombed German dams during World War 2. These bombings caused a great deal of flooding to many German settlements and were a key move in winning the war. Although you won’t be flying to Germany during this tour, the pilots famously trained on a set of dams in the English peak district.

You’ll fly over the twin dams that were used all those years ago, with some historic commentary from your pilot. But that’s not all! This tour will then take you on to Chatsworth House. Marvel at the striking home to the Duke and Dutchess of Devonshire and the beautiful gardens known for it’s unique water sculptures and Victorian rock garden. Finally, you’ll then return to the Moorlands pub where you’ll have a delicious carvery roast, all included in the price of your voucher.  

20-Minute Pleasure Flight in Yorkshire

For those of you who don’t find too much excitement in cityscapes and grand buildings, this 20 minute pleasure flight of the Yorkshire countryside may be more up your street. Taking off from Leeds airport, you’ll fly over rolling hills, and marvel at the incredible sprawling rural scenery, that goes on and on, even from so high up! Your pilot will be on-hand to point out any landmarks you may pass. This is a relaxing and peaceful way to spend 20 minutes, and it’s sure to make you think about the beauty of our planet, looking down on it from so high up!

York Buzz Flight for Two with Bubbly and Chocolates

This experience is the ideal option if you’re not quite sure about flying in a helicopter. If you’re keen to try it out, but maybe have some trepidation, then this 5-minute flight is the way to go. After the incredible vertical take-off, you’ll then have a short fly around the local area surrounding the airport, before heading back down to land and celebrate your short adventure on the ground. Luckily there’s bubbly and chocolates included in this experience; the perfect end to an exhilarating few minutes. We’re pretty confident that once you’ve been up once, you’ll be keen to book another longer flight straight after! 

Thank you for reading! 

We hope you were able to find a helicopter tour that’s just right for you. If not, please feel free to browse all our Yorkshire and Humberside flying experiences here, as well as all our helicopter flights across the country here. 

If you are interested in learning flying in a helicopter but have some questions, please read our What to Expect From a Helicopter Flight article here.

Check out other regions for the best helicopter flights:

The Best Helicopter Rides in North West England

The Best Helicopter Flights in Wales

The Best Helicopter Flights in the South East of England

The Best Helicopter Flights in the Midlands