The Corniche is Abu Dhabi’s long waterfront, a curve of beaches, promenades and parkland with a wall of skyscrapers rising behind it along Corniche Road. On foot you see one stretch at a time. From a helicopter over the water you take in the whole sweep: the towers, the beaches, the breakwater and the open Gulf beyond. Every flight on the Abu Dhabi hub follows it, and the two 17-minute tours are named after it.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche 17-Minute Shared Helicopter Tour gives you 17 minutes in the air from US$192 per person, in a shared helicopter with up to 6 guests. It flies along the Corniche Road skyscrapers, then past Marina Mall and the Rixos hotel, Emirates Palace, the Presidential Palace, the Heritage Village and the flagpole. From there it heads to Hudayriyat Island, Sheikh Zayed Sports City and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche 17-Minute Private Helicopter Tour flies the same route with only your group on board, from US$959 per helicopter for up to 6 guests. The two 30-minute flights also begin along the Corniche and then go further: the Abu Dhabi 30-Minute Shared Helicopter Tour, from US$273 per person, and the Abu Dhabi 30-Minute Private Helicopter Tour, from US$1,362 per helicopter for up to 6, continue past the Rixos hotel, Marina Mall and the flagpole, the Presidential Palace and the gardens of Emirates Palace, out over the Arabian Gulf to Hudayriyat Island, past Capital Gate to the Grand Mosque and Sheikh Zayed Sports City, and on to the mangroves around Reem Island.
All four flights start and finish at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal heliport at Zayed Port (Mina Zayed). The Corniche is the first stretch of every route, so you are over the skyline within minutes of lifting off, and the palaces, Hudayriyat Island and the mosque follow. Headsets are included, and the pilot gives live commentary in English, pointing out the towers and landmarks as they pass. Large windows give a wide view of the waterfront from every seat.
The helicopter flies along the Corniche rather than stopping over it, and there is no set time above any one building. On the shared flights you fly with other guests, up to 6 in total, and the crew assigns seats. The private flights are for your group only, and the price covers the whole helicopter. Cancel up to 24 hours before your flight for a full refund. If the weather or visibility is poor, you can reschedule free of charge or take a full refund.
Arrive at the heliport 45 minutes before your flight, and bring an original, valid passport or Emirates ID for every guest. There is no hotel pickup, so make your own way to Zayed Port. Food, drinks, selfie sticks, smoking and vaping are not allowed on board. Shared flights allow up to 110 kg (242 lb) per passenger, and private flights up to 420 kg (920 lb) for the whole group. Children must be at least 2 years old, and the flights are not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women. For the full Corniche skyline in a short flight, book the 17-minute shared tour.
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