How Much Is It To Hire a Private Helicopter? (Is it Expensive?)

By: Joseph Benson
Time to read: 9 min.

Table of Contents

We may earn commission as an affiliate from qualifying purchase made through any of the link in this post thank you so much.

How much is it to hire a private helicopter? Helicopters are quickly becoming the reserve of celebrities and royals. If you have ever wondered how much it would cost to hire a private helicopter for yourself then you are about to find out.

Private helicopters can cost as little as $300 per hour to charter. How much does a private helicopter cost to rent? It depends. Helicopter rental fees vary by the company, which states you visit, and how many hours you want to spend in the air.

Hiring a private helicopter for your next big event doesn’t always need to break the bank. You can save money by following these tips on where to rent one in your region and how much it costs.

Choosing a private helicopter ride is an exciting and fun option to tailor your special event. Luckily, Helicopter Rides are more common than they used to be, making them easy to find.

But how do you know whether you’ve found the right one? You don’t want to waste your or the company’s money on a poor product or a company that is inattentive and unreliable.

READ Which Private Jet Company Is The Best (List of 11 Best)

In researching this article on the cost of private helicopter hire, I interviewed a number of operators in order to get a good idea of average costs and what variation there is in costs based on time of year, number of passengers, choice of aircraft and even location.

Private Helicopter or helicopters available for hire are used by the rich and famous or people who have something to celebrate (weddings, anniversaries). It’s a bit of a luxury but if you want to make an occasion extra special then hiring one is very cool, quirky and memorable.

Points to have in mind

How much is it to hire a private helicopter?
How far can a private helicopter go?
How much does a 2 person helicopter cost?
How fast do private helicopters fly?

How much is it to hire a private helicopter?

The cost of hiring a private helicopter is dependent on the distance you are traveling and the time period you will be flying. Hiring a private helicopter can be an expensive experience, but it is also a fun way to travel.

A private helicopter will cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000 per hour depending on the size of the aircraft and the amount of people that are traveling with you.

The larger helicopters will have a higher price tag because they can hold up to 10 passengers instead of just two or three like smaller helicopters.

READ How much does it Cost to Build a Hangar? | Aircraft Hangar

If your destination is close by then you can expect to pay around $300 per hour for a small two-seater aircraft and $1,500 for larger ones that seat up to 10 people.

If your destination is farther away then expect to pay upwards of $1,500 per hour for smaller aircraft or up to $4,500 for larger ones.

Traveling during peak hours such as Friday evenings or holiday weekends will increase the price because there will be more demand for these flights and fewer pilots available at that time.

Private flying can be expensive especially if you’re traveling with a group of friends or family members. But there are ways to save money on flights when renting from a private charter service.

Hiring a private helicopter is more expensive than taking a commercial flight because you’re paying for the pilot’s time as well as the time spent waiting for passengers at the airport and refueling during layovers.

However, if you have fewer than seven people in your party and don’t mind being separated from them during flights, it may be worth it to hire your own aircraft instead of taking commercial airlines.

A basic round trip from New York City’s LaGuardia Airport to Philadelphia International Airport would cost approximately $1,800 per person if you flew commercially on American Airlines or Delta Airlines (according to Travelocity).

If you hired a private helicopter instead of flying commercial airlines, it would cost $8,000 dollars per person round trip (according to PrivateFly).

READ Can I Book a Flight for Someone else? Take a Look

How far can a private helicopter go?

The answer to this question depends on the type of helicopter and the configuration of the aircraft. But, generally speaking, a private helicopter can fly for about 3 hours without refueling. The distance it can fly depends on a number of factors, including:

Type of helicopter: Helicopters are classified based on their weight. Light helicopters (1,600 pounds or less) typically have a range of about 200 miles (322 kilometers). Medium helicopters weigh between 1,601 pounds (724 kilograms) and 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms).

They are capable of traveling anywhere from 500 miles (805 kilometers) to 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers). Heavy helicopters weigh more than 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms), but less than 11 tons. These aircraft typically have ranges of up to 400 miles (644 kilometers).

Fuel capacity: Fuel capacity is another important factor in determining how far a helicopter can travel. Light helicopters usually carry only enough fuel for two hours of flight time at most because they are not designed for long distances.

Medium helicopters have more fuel capacity than light helicopters do and are therefore able to fly longer distances with more weight on board. Heavy helicopters have even more fuel capacity than medium ones and can carry more weight while flying longer distances.

Engine type: The engine type of a helicopter also determines its range. Piston engines are less powerful than turbine engines, but they are also lighter which means that they consume less fuel per mile flown.

Turbine engines consume more fuel per mile flown, but they offer greater power which means that they can fly farther with greater load without having to refuel more often than piston engines would need to be refueled.

READ Best Private Helicopter Under 1 Million (List of 7 Cheap)

If they were carrying the same load as turbines do when flying the same distance as pistons do with that same load onboard their aircrafts’ cabins’ compartments.

The range of a private helicopter is dependent on the make and model. The most common helicopters are the Bell Jet Ranger and the Sikorsky S-76. Both of these can travel at least 300 nautical miles on one tank of fuel, with the Jet Ranger capable of going 400 nm or more.

The Robinson R44 has a range of 200 nm, while the Sikorsky S-92 can travel 500 nm in a single trip. The maximum range for any helicopter can vary depending on weather conditions, payload and other factors.

The helicopter is a remarkable vehicle. It can fly at speeds of more than 150 miles per hour, and it can travel almost anywhere in the world.

The helicopter’s ability to move quickly and easily makes it the perfect choice for many private jet charter travelers. The aircraft’s versatility and maneuverability make it an ideal choice for getting from one location to another.

The range of private helicopters is determined by how much fuel capacity they have, as well as how much weight they’re carrying when they take off.

Another factor is whether or not you’re able to take off with enough fuel to get to your destination and then have enough left over for a “safety margin.”

If you’re going somewhere where there aren’t any refueling stations, then you should plan on having extra fuel onboard. If you want to fly very far in one flight, then it may be cheaper and easier to charter an airplane instead.

READ How much is a G5 private Jet? Real Cost Reveal

Read more article: Aircraft hangar maintenance

How much does a 2 person helicopter cost?

The price of a 2-person helicopter is dependent on the type of helicopter, size and features. The average cost for a two-person helicopter ranges from $200,000 to $500,000.

The average cost of a single-engine helicopter is between $100,000 and $250,000, while larger helicopters can cost more than $1 million.

2-person helicopters are usually priced in the $250,000 to $300,000 range. This price will vary depending on the model you choose and how much customization you want done.

The most popular two-seat helicopter is the Robinson R44, which typically costs between $190,000 and $215,000 new (2010 prices). The Robinson R22 and R66 models cost about $50,000 less.

Some companies also offer pre-owned helicopters for sale at a discount, but these are generally older models that may require more maintenance and may have fewer safety features than newer ones.

The above is the cost of buying and now let’s see the cost of hiring one! The cost of a two-person helicopter will vary based on the type of helicopter and the company renting it out. The larger the aircraft, the more expensive it will be to rent.

For example, a 2-passenger Robinson R44 helicopter costs about $200 per hour to rent from a certified instructor at a local flying school. This can vary depending on where you live and what type of training is required before flying.

Another thing to consider when renting helicopters is whether or not you need insurance coverage. This can range from $1,000 to $15,000 depending on the length of time you’re flying and what city or state you’re in.

READ Why do Private Jets Fly at Higher Altitudes? | 14 Facts

How fast do private helicopters fly?

The speed of a helicopter depends on the purpose it is being used for. The average speed of a private helicopter would be around 100 mph, but this is not the top speed that they can reach.

There are different types of helicopters, each with their own set of features and capabilities. For example, a civilian helicopter can go up to 100 mph while military helicopters can go up to 150 mph (as shown in the video below).

Private helicopters usually fly between 140 and 160 knots (161 to 179 miles per hour). That speed is about double the top speed of a commercial airliner, which means you’ll get where you’re going faster. But that’s not all.

In addition to being much faster than cars or buses, private aircraft are also much more comfortable. You can travel in style with room for your luggage and a small group of friends or family members.

It’s important to note that the maximum airspeed for most helicopters is governed by the type of engine they use (typically piston engines).

There are several factors that contribute to the speed of a helicopter. The most important factor is the amount of lift the helicopter can produce. The more lift a helicopter can produce, the faster it will fly.

The type of rotor blades on a helicopter will also affect how fast it can fly. Some types of rotors are designed to produce more lift than others and thus allow for faster speeds.

Aircraft engines also play a role in determining how fast a helicopter flies. Engines that are more powerful allow helicopters to fly faster than those with less power.

READ Private Jet Flight from London to Warsaw (Complete Travel Guide)

The weight of a helicopter also affects its speed while in flight because heavier helicopters have more drag and require more thrust from their engines in order to maintain altitude or climb.

Final thought

Overall, the cost to charter a helicopter will depend on a wide range of variables. However, while the costs associated with hiring a private helicopter may be steep, they are sometimes justified by convenience and the ability to have access to flight capabilities that might otherwise not be possible.

As you can see, chartering a private helicopter is not a cheap venture. If a helicopter rental is still within your budget and you’re in the market for one, check out your local area to find the best deals.

Private helicopters are some of the most luxurious ways to travel. And while you might associate them with the rich and famous, private helicopter hires are rarely confined to that exclusive segment of society.

CEOs and celebrities may use them regularly, but many others will turn to private choppers for more quotidian purposes.

This service can be an excellent complement to your event. However, it can be a little difficult to get the right rate for you. This is why you should do some legwork and research ahead of time so that you know what to expect when you’re planning to hire one.

Read more article: Aircraft hangar rental rates

Buy Cheap Private Jet on Private Jet Finder