Chicago Helicopter Flights

Chicago is among the most visited cities in the United States and, if it has earned its place, it is because of the many attractions and places of interest that can be found here.

In the Windy City, as in other major cities in the United States, it is common to see helicopters flying over the skyscrapers... And, it is not necessarily the police or a news crew, but tourism has found an interesting and very attractive alternative to see the city from another perspective. Whether it's a flight at sunset, with open doors or even in the middle of a fireworks display... Here I tell you more about the experience of flying in this city.

Chicago' s classic aerial tours fly over the city centre and the shores of Lake Michigan, where the most famous attractions are located. Tours are offered throughout the day and every moment has its own special charm. In this post I'll tell you more about some of the most popular tours: those that take place at dusk and those at night. You will see why.

To a lesser extent, there are also flight options over other sectors of the metropolis, where natural scenes stand out on the horizon and the more adventurous can dare to travel with the doors open or even take the controls.

1. A tour of the "Windy City" under a golden sunset

One time of day that many advocate is the best time to fly over Chicago is sunset.

Photography experts themselves back this up, calling it "the golden hour". This time before the sun bids farewell is an ideal time, as enough light is captured to get the best colours in a shot - and why not take advantage of this when you're looking for the best views at about 400m above sea level?

Observing the various attractions such as the Willis Tower, the Aquarium Shed, Soldier Field and many areas on the fringes of the vast Lake Michigan in the sunset setting will fascinate you.

Flying at sunset can be an ideal time to observe the city's day-night transition, capturing the best images of both moments.

2. Join the party from above

With fireworks shows at Navy Pier taking place every week in certain months of the year(between May and September), Chicago helicopter rides take the flying experience to another level.

That's right! Tours are organised exclusively for flying amidst the night-time festivities that light up the city. Got a special reason to celebrate in the air? Consider this option. It will be a gift to rememberfor a lifetime.

These tours will also take you to see some typical night scenes of the city, such as the docks, the huge skyscrapers and the stadiums. These tours combine the experience of seeing the city and enjoying the bustling party scene from above (don't worry, you'll have noise-cancelling headphones at your disposal).

3. Discover other neighbourhoods and... With an open-door option?

In Chicago, there are other options for flying over the city beyond the classic tours. Some companies offer other circuits to the **city'**s northwest neighbourhoods, with a route of semi-urban landscapes, natural scenes and protected areas.

On some of these tours, there is the option to fly with the doors open. If you are one of the more adventurous and choose this option, be prepared for an even more thrilling experience when you realise that there is nothing between you and the wind currents, between the image and your camera lens. An experience that will increase your adrenaline doses, don't you think?

However, you should know that the experience of flying with the doors open is not for everyone. It is a noisier flight (uncomfortable for some) in which, in addition, you are exposed to the wind, which in certain seasons can be very cold.

By the same token, if you feel very nervous about the idea of a flight with the doors open... Why spend an unpleasant time? You will enjoy it better if you feel safe and more comfortable in an enclosed helicopter.

4. Flying and... Piloting?

If you are an aviation enthusiast and are interested in touring Chicago in a different role than a typical passenger, this tour is for you.

With the assistance of experienced instructor pilots, on this particular tour you will get access to the controls and learn everything it takes to fly a Vietnam War helicopter.

If you take advantage of this experience, you'll be well on your way to entering the world of aviation. On the other hand, if you decide to switch seats and relax as an observer, of course you can! Let the pilot continue his flight while you take in some scenic views of Chicago's northwest neighbourhoods.

The various Chicago helicopter tour companies offer reservations during the course of the day, starting at approximately 11 am and ending at 10 pm.

There are several companies offering these services. Virtually all of them follow strict safety standards and certifications for safe and comfortable flights. The companies depart/arrive from different terminals, either owned or rented. All companies require passengers to arrive 30 minutes before departure, so if the terminal is close to your hotel, all the better.

Among the most commonly used terminals are: Chicago Vertiport (1339 S Wood St, Chicago, IL 60608, USA) and, Chicago Midway Signature terminal (5700 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60638, USA).

Other particular company runways are located at: 2420 S Halsted, Chicago IL 60608 and, 905 W Irving Park Rd, Schaumburg IL 60193.

To book, you will need to contact the company directly (online or by phone), keeping in mind two important points:

• Which route and schedule to choose: this will be one of the most important points in your decision. What do you want to see: the basics of the city or the natural scenery of the suburbs?... Fly in the daytime? At nightfall? In the middle of a fireworks party?... Or how about a more intense adventure with open doors? Evaluate this carefully so that you can choose the most suitable tour for the experience you want to live.
• Shared or private service: this will be an important factor that will be reflected in the price of your flight. If you choose to share a flight with other passengers from outside your group, you will save a few euros... But if you want to make an amorous proposal in the middle of the tour, think carefully about whether you want to have strange witnesses accompanying you.

Classic flight tours over the city of Chicago cost approximately 145 to 240 Euros per person for shared flights. For private flights, the costs at first glance are much higher: from 625 to 1,268 euros. However, this cost is for a flight of 1 to 6 passengers, or up to 454 kg of cargo capacity. So, if you and several companions sign up for the experience, the cost of the tour is offset.

Most service providers do not differentiate between the price of the tour at one time or the other, however, there are companies that do increase the cost during sunset by up to 30 euros compared to earlier in the day. Is it because of the exceptional advantages of "golden hour" photography? Or perhaps... The romanticism and tranquillity that flying at this time of day inspires? I wouldn't know. But if you have a choice, I would recommend choosing this time for your flight as your first choice.

For a flight in the middle of the fireworks display: For the fireworks show, companies require that you contact them in advance to request more information and details of these tours. These flights have significantly higher prices compared to other regular city tours, but if you are looking for a special and unforgettable experience, this tour will not fail you.

For flight tours in other suburbs of the city (open-door option or the introductory flying tour), the price starts from 585 euros and up to 3 passengers can join the tour.

The regular times for these tours range from 8 to 30 minutes. The shortest tours that can be taken are the sunset tours, although there is also the option of a longer tour.

The fireworks tour can last between 20 and 30 minutes.

Tours in the north-western suburbs of the city last 30 minutes.

The must-see sights that tours over the city cover are the iconic Willis Tower, the Navy Pier, with its famous Centennial Ferris Wheel and the sightseeing boats operating on the great Lake Michigan.

Other attractions included depending on the tour are Wrigley field which, if you're a baseball fan, you'll recognise immediately, the Shed Aquarium, Millennium Park and the Field Museum. The latter is one of the best museums in Chicago and I highly recommend a visit.

Soldier Field, the Adler Planetarium and the various "beaches" on the banks of Lake Michigan are other sights you can see on this type of tour.

In the northwest neighbourhood tours, where nature and semi-urban scenery is the dominant scene, Fox River and Barrington Hills are among the sights that can be seen on these flights.

The urban design of the city of Chicago has a special charm to be seen from above.

With several examples included in the list of the tallest buildings in the United States, a huge freshwater reservoir with recreation and leisure areas, world-famous sporting venues and plenty of movement on land, water and in the air, flying over this city is a very attractive and recommendable option for tourists.

It's true, a helicopter tour is not one of the more affordable holiday attractions, but if you have the chance to do it in Chicago, don't think twice. It's an experience that will delight anyone.

If you are going to take a helicopter tour over the city of Chicago, it is important that you take into account a few considerations.

• Strict adherence to flight safety rules and regulations is paramount. Boarding any aircraft requires the attention and participation of all passengers to make the flight as safe as possible.

By the way, if you were in doubt about open-door flights, yes, they are very safe. However, as in all flight situations and in any type of aircraft, it is essential to follow the safety instructions to the letter.

Boarding free of alcohol and other substances and following all safety instructions during the flight are just some of the basic rules on all these tours for safe travel.

• Final considerations: If you are looking for a guaranteed window seat, it is best to book a private tour.

Bring your passport, as some companies may ask for it before boarding (check what other requirements are necessary depending on the company).

On daytime flights, wear dark clothing to reduce excessive glare on windows.

If you are prone to motion sickness, don't forget to take any necessary medication before the flight. And don't forget to arrive at least 30 minutes early!