The London Eye stands on the South Bank opposite Westminster, a giant observation wheel beside the river. Riding it, you look out over London from one of its capsules. From a helicopter you look down on the wheel itself, a ring on the riverbank with the Houses of Parliament across the water and the bridges of central London lined up along the Thames. It appears on all three private flights on the London hub.
The London Thames 35-Minute Private Helicopter Tour is the natural pick. It is about 35 minutes in the air, about an hour in total, from £1,055 (GBP) per helicopter for up to 3 guests. The London Eye comes early in the central section, next to Parliament, and the route carries on past Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe, the City, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, the Olympic Stadium and Canary Wharf.
The London Champagne 35-Minute Private Helicopter Flight for Two includes the wheel on its route to Tower Bridge, at £1,055 per helicopter for 2 guests with a bottle of champagne, or a non-alcoholic alternative on request. The London Olympic Park 45-Minute Private Helicopter Tour passes it too, about 45 minutes in the air, from £1,210 per helicopter for up to 3, before its route map heads further east towards the Olympic Park and Greenwich.
It helps to know what the helicopter is and is not. It is a view from above the wheel, not a slow rotation beside it, and the route does not stop or hover over the South Bank. You fly at about 1,000 feet, just above the height of the Shard, and the pilot talks you through what you are seeing. The central London section is the core of each flight, and the helicopter keeps moving along the river throughout. Allow about an hour for the whole visit, including check-in and the safety briefing at the aerodrome.
Every flight takes off from Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey, about 20 miles (32 km) south of central London. Before you reach the London Eye, the helicopter crosses the Surrey countryside and the M25, passes through the Heathrow control zone and joins the Thames at Barnes. It returns to Redhill via Croydon. Each flight is private for your group, and the price covers the whole helicopter. Tickets are non-refundable, so there is no refund if you cancel; if the weather is unsuitable, you are offered another date instead.
Check in online at least 48 hours ahead with names, dates of birth, nationality, weights and photo ID details for everyone. On the day, arrive at Hangar 1, Redhill Aerodrome, Kings Mill Lane, RH1 5JY, 30 minutes before take-off, and bring photo ID. There is no pickup, and bags stay at the office. The helicopter is heated, so a light jumper is enough. The minimum age is 6, and children under 16 fly with an adult. For the London Eye and the rest of the Thames, book the Thames tour.
Se London Eye från luften: London · London Thames 35-Minute Private Helicopter Tour.