Tower Bridge is the twin-towered bascule bridge at the eastern edge of the City, with the Tower of London on the north bank beside it and HMS Belfast moored just upstream. From the riverbank you look up at its towers. From a helicopter you see the whole composition at once: the bridge across the river, the old fortress next to it, the warship on the water and the towers of the City behind. It is a sight on every private flight on the London hub.
For a flight built around it, the London Champagne 35-Minute Private Helicopter Flight for Two is the one to look at. It costs £1,055 (GBP) per helicopter for 2 guests, and a bottle of champagne is included, or a non-alcoholic alternative if you ask. The route follows the Thames through central London past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s, the Globe, the City, the Tower of London and HMS Belfast, and ends its river run at Tower Bridge before heading back. The flight lasts about 35 minutes.
If there are three of you, the London Thames 35-Minute Private Helicopter Tour covers the same central sights and carries on east past the Olympic Stadium and Canary Wharf. It is about 35 minutes, from £1,055 per helicopter for up to 3 guests. The London Olympic Park 45-Minute Private Helicopter Tour runs about 45 minutes, from £1,210 per helicopter for up to 3, and its route map extends further east towards Greenwich and the Thames Barrier.
Every one of these flights starts at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey, about 20 miles (32 km) south of central London. The first part of the flight crosses the Surrey countryside and the M25 and passes through the Heathrow control zone before joining the Thames at Barnes. That means Tower Bridge comes later in the flight, after Westminster and the City, rather than straight after take-off. The return leg goes back to Redhill via Croydon. The helicopter is heated, so a light jumper is enough, and the pilot gives commentary throughout.
The flights pass the bridge rather than stopping at it. There is no landing and no promise of a hover or a particular angle; the route keeps moving. Each flight is private, so only your group is on board, and the price covers the whole helicopter. Tickets are non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. If the pilot judges the weather unsuitable on the morning, you are offered another date. Passengers who arrive intoxicated are refused, with no refund.
Check in online at least 48 hours before your flight with names, dates of birth, nationality, weights and photo ID details for everyone. On the day, go to Hangar 1, Redhill Aerodrome, Kings Mill Lane, RH1 5JY, 30 minutes before take-off and bring photo ID; allow about an hour in total. There is no pickup and no space for bags on board. The minimum age is 6. For Tower Bridge with champagne for two, book the Champagne flight for two.
See Tower Bridge from a helicopter over London. Book the London Champagne 35-Minute Private Helicopter Flight for Two.