What is a flightseeing tour?
A flightseeing tour offers a unique way to experience Iceland’s landscapes from above, including remote areas that can be difficult to reach by road.
Our airplane and helicopter tours depart from Skaftafell Terminal in Southeast Iceland, beside Vatnajökull National Park. Depending on the tour you choose, you may see glaciers, glacier lagoons, black sand plains, braided rivers, volcanic landscapes and the Icelandic highlands.
Quick comparison
| Helicopter tours | Airplane tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | Close and immersive | Smooth and continuous |
| Coverage | Focuses closely on selected areas | Covers a wider area |
| Landings | Included on selected tours | Not included |
| Flight time | 30 minutes to 2.5 hours | 15 minutes to 1.5 hours |
| Best for | Scenic landings and close-up exploration | Seeing more landscapes in one flight |
| Price level | Generally higher | Generally lower |
Helicopter tours
Helicopters offer a flexible and immersive way to explore the landscape. They can fly close to particular areas and reach remote landing locations that are difficult to access from the ground.
Most of our helicopter tours include a scenic landing. We also offer a shorter Glacier Edge tour that remains in the air throughout the experience.
Airplane tours
Airplane tours are ideal for covering a wider area efficiently in a smooth, continuous flight.
Shorter tours focus on the glaciers, mountains and black sand plains closest to Skaftafell. Longer flights reach glacier lagoons, volcanic landscapes and remote areas of the Icelandic highlands.
Our scheduled airplane tours do not include landings during the flight.
What affects the experience?
All flightseeing tours depend on suitable weather, visibility and operating conditions.
Routes and helicopter landing locations may be adjusted when necessary, with safety always taking priority. Seasonal changes in light, snow and the landscape also mean that every flight is slightly different.
Which one should you choose?
Choose a helicopter tour if a scenic landing and close-up exploration are important parts of the experience.
Choose an airplane tour if you would prefer to cover a wider area, see more landscapes during one flight or select a more affordable option.
If you are still unsure, contact us and we will be happy to help you choose based on your interests, available time and budget.