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Helicopter Tours in Dubai

See Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa from the air — a short flight along the coast, from 12 minutes up.

See also:Scenic Flights

Planning a helicopter tour in Dubai

The routes and how long you fly

Most helicopter tours in Dubai take off from the helipad at Atlantis The Palm, at the tip of Palm Jumeirah; others leave from a helipad in Jumeirah, near the Mall of the Emirates, or from the Jumeirah Beach Residence. The standard flight lasts 12 minutes: over the palm-shaped island, along the coast past the Burj Al Arab and on to the Burj Khalifa before turning back.

Longer flights — 15, 17, 25 minutes and up to an hour, depending on the operator — add Dubai Marina, the World Islands, Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Creek, where the old city began. The minutes are the time in the air; with the check-in, the safety briefing and the transfer, plan on two to three hours.

Shared or private, and the combos

On a shared flight you sit with other guests, usually five or six to a helicopter, and the operator allocates the seats — often by weight, so a window seat isn’t guaranteed. A private flight is booked for your group alone and lets you choose the route and the time, which suits proposals, birthdays and photographers.

Some packages combine the flight with an afternoon desert safari or with dinner at Atlantis The Palm; others add a hotel transfer both ways. Each listing says which helipad it leaves from, how long the flight is and what is included.

What to know before you fly

Bring your passport or Emirates ID: operators check it at the helipad, and without it you can’t board. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. Bags and loose items stay on the ground — the helipads have lockers — but phones and cameras are allowed on board.

Flights are subject to the weather: if wind, dust or poor visibility ground the helicopter, you are offered another slot or a refund. The clearest air is in the cooler months, from October to April, and the late afternoon gives the warmest light over the skyline. The list is ranked by traveller reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a helicopter tour in Dubai?

The standard flight is 12 minutes in the air; longer routes run from about 15 minutes to an hour. With check-in, the safety briefing and transfers, the outing takes two to three hours.

Where do helicopter tours in Dubai take off?

Most from the helipad at Atlantis The Palm on Palm Jumeirah. Some operators fly from a helipad in Jumeirah near the Mall of the Emirates or from the Jumeirah Beach Residence — the listing names the starting point and whether hotel pickup is included.

What do I need to bring?

Your original passport or Emirates ID — it is checked before boarding. Bags stay in a locker at the helipad; a phone or camera can come with you.

Can children fly on a helicopter tour?

Yes, accompanied by an adult; infants usually sit on a parent’s lap. Each passenger, children included, needs their own ID. Check the listing for the operator’s age and weight conditions.

Helicopter or hot air balloon?

A helicopter shows the skyline and the coast in a few minutes and fits into any day. A balloon floats over the desert at sunrise and takes the whole morning — see the hot air balloon rides.