The views from the top of the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock are undeniably spectacular — but can you imagine taking in some of these same vistas while gliding across the sky? Helicopter Flight Services, Inc. can make this a reality with numerous sightseeing packages that offer a perspective of this fair metropolis shared by few outside of Superman and Lois Lane. In addition to three sightseeing tours, they also offer airport charters, and private charters to Atlantic City, the Hamptons, Philadelphia, and other East Coast destinations.

On the New Yorker Tour (15 minutes; $129/person), experience the beauty of Central Park, the Hudson River, and New York Harbor, including the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Marvel at the splendor of Rockefeller Center, the Empire State, Chrysler, and Met Life buildings, and the World Financial Center. Delight in flying by the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Greenwich Village, South Street Seaport, and the Brooklyn Bridge. All this and even more of the dramatic New York skyline makes this tour a bestseller and a must for any out-of-towner.

The Ultimate Tour (20 minutes; $179/person) gives you all that is promised on the New Yorker tour, plus a generous bundle of extras. While seated in comfort, take in an extended harbor excursion that includes a distant view of the magnificent Verrazano Bridge and Governors Island. Then, cruising up the Hudson River, behold the man-made miracle of the George Washington Bridge and nature’s miraculous New Jersey Palisades, in addition to other landmarks like Yankee Stadium, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and Columbia University, and the historic neighborhood of Harlem.

But why not go for the best? With the Deluxe Tour (30 minutes; $275/person; min. 4 passengers), fly not only around the island, but actually above sites like the new CNN/Time-Warner building, Times Square, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway. Helicopter Flight Services, Inc. will take you up close to the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and show you the United Nations Building with the incredible city skyline as a backdrop. This is your ticket to New York City’s most extravagant and exhilarating city sightseeing and photo opportunity, and will be an everlasting memory for you and your family. Customized (min. 2 passengers) and 30-minute private tours ($1,250/1-6 passengers) are also available.

Helicopter Flight Services, Inc. also offers airport transfers between Manhattan and the four major airports in the New York region (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Teterboro), as well as airport-to-airport transfers. Flight times are usually less than 10 minutes — a very competitive and attractive option as opposed to spending more than an hour in New York City traffic. The landing areas at the airports are serviced by complimentary ground transportation to and from your terminal; in Manhattan there are three different heliports they can fly to or from: West 30th St., the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, and East 34th St. Charters to destinations such as Atlantic City, Boston, East Hampton, Philadelphia, Southampton, Westchester, and Westhampton. Call 212-355-0801 for more information and rates.

Tours are available Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sun. & holidays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., flights depart from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (Pier 6, East River); Sun. flights depart from the VIP Heliport (W. 30th St. & Twelfth Ave.). For reservations, call 888-WE-FLY-NY or 212-355-0801, or visit www.heliny.com. Please note: By government regulations, photo ID is required.