Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! To ensure availability, we require reservations for every tour. For dinner packages, we kindly request that you make a reservation at least 3 days in advance. For all other tours, we ask that you make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

Charm Aviation is open for tours by reservation only, seven days a week, from Monday to Sunday. Our tour hours are from 11:00am to 7:00pm, with the earliest tour departing at 11:00am and the latest at 7:00pm. We accept reservations by phone from 10:00am to 7:00pm.

We offer helicopter tours throughout the day, each offering unique perspectives of the city. You can choose the time that suits you best and experience the city in a whole new way!

Due to the events that occurred on 9/11/2001, the FAA has established a restricted airspace over and around Washington, DC, which only allows a limited number of authorized aircraft to operate in the area. As a result, there are no tour operators offering any kind of tours over or around the city.

We accept both cash and credit card payments for our tours. We accept all major credit cards, and if you choose to pay with credit, we will process your payment at the time of booking. Please have your credit card information ready when you make your reservation. If you prefer to pay with cash, we will require a major credit card to hold your reservation until the day of the tour, when you will need to come in and pay the full amount in person. Please note that for cash payments, you must visit us to make the payment at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled tour. Thank you for choosing our helicopter tour company, and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Ensuring the safety of our aircraft and passengers is our top priority, which is why seating is determined based on weight and balance computations. We take great care in calculating these factors to ensure that our passengers have a safe and enjoyable experience during their helicopter tour. If you have any specific questions regarding seating arrangements, we encourage you to give us a call and we would be happy to provide you with more details.

Absolutely! We are more than happy to take reservations for our helicopter tours, regardless of whether they are made months in advance or just a day prior to the desired tour date. We always strive to accommodate our customers’ needs and preferences. However, to ensure that we can provide you with the best possible experience and schedule the most convenient day and time for your tour, we recommend booking at least one week in advance.

If you are interested in booking a single seat on one of our shared helicopter tours, please note that we can only accommodate this if there is open space and weight allowance available on the tour. We cannot guarantee the acceptance of a reservation for a specific date and time until at least two other seats have been booked for that same date and time. We appreciate your understanding in this matter, as we must ensure the safety of our passengers and the proper balance of our aircraft. If you have any further questions or would like to check availability for a shared tour, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

To ensure a smooth booking process for the dinner package, please let us know which restaurant you would like included in your reservation from the options we provide.

Yes, you typically need to bring a valid form of photo identification with you when you go on a helicopter ride. This is a standard security requirement for most commercial aviation activities, including helicopter tours.

What you wear on a helicopter ride will depend on several factors, such as the weather, the time of year, and the type of helicopter tour you are taking. However, there are some general guidelines to follow to ensure you are comfortable and safe during your flight:

1. Dress in comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing: You should wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for the weather conditions on the day of your flight. It’s recommended to wear lightweight, layered clothing during warmer months and warmer, layered clothing during cooler months.
2. Wear closed-toe shoes: It’s important to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or boots, to ensure your safety during the flight.
3. Avoid loose clothing and accessories: Loose clothing, scarves, and long jewelry can pose a safety hazard, so it’s best to avoid wearing them during the flight.
4. Consider wearing dark-colored clothing: Dark-colored clothing will help reduce glare on the windows, which can affect the quality of your photos and the views.
5. Bring sunglasses: Sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare and wind during the flight.

Ultimately, you want to dress comfortably and safely for your helicopter tour. If you have any specific concerns or questions about what to wear, it’s a good idea to check with the tour operator in advance for any recommendations or requirements.

Absolutely! We love it when our guests capture their amazing experiences with us and share them on social media. Feel free to take as many photos and videos as you like during your tour. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram and Facebook at @CharmCityHelicopters. Our team will also take a photo of you before you board the helicopter, which usually takes 1-2 minutes. If you prefer professional photos in front of the helicopter, we can provide you with a list of recommended photographers. Contact us for more information on booking a photoshoot.

Our pilots have extensive knowledge of the area and are not scripted, allowing them to share their unique perspectives on the history of our city. This makes each tour both informative and personalized.

Helicopters, while being a safe and fun way to tour the city, also have important safety measures that must be adhered to. The most important thing to remember when around a helicopter is to never approach or exit away from the helicopter from the rear. Always listen to your pilot and the safety tips they provide. Never open the door mid-flight or stick/throw anything out the window (yes, this includes selfie-sticks!).

Certainly! Our aircraft is equipped with air conditioning for the hot summer months and heating to keep you warm during the cooler fall and winter months. You can enjoy a comfortable tour no matter what time of year you decide to fly with us.

There is a 30-minute buffer before the departure of the tour to ensure a safe, fun, and timely experience for our guests. During this time, we provide a thorough safety briefing and answer any questions that you may have. Additionally, the extra time allows our guests to find our facility if they are not familiar with the area, ensuring that we depart on time.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a child under the age of 2 may be held in an adult’s lap during a flight. Children 2 years old and up must have their own seat due to FAA regulations and safety reasons. Charm Aviation will ask that you provide a birth certificate or some kind of viable verification for proof of the child’s age if under the age of 2 years old. This is an FAA regulation for the safety of our passengers.

In general, pregnant women who are in good health and have a low-risk pregnancy can usually fly in a helicopter without any issues. However, it’s always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before booking a helicopter tour or any other flight activity, especially if you are in the later stages of pregnancy.

Certainly! Charm Aviation is committed to accommodating all passengers to the best of our ability. Although we are unable to bring the physical wheelchair onto the helicopter due to space restrictions and safety regulations, we offer assistance and accommodations as necessary to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all passengers. For more information on our services and accommodations, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

Yes, FAA regulations do permit the use of an oxygen tank on a flight if necessary. However, there are specific guidelines that must be followed, such as notifying the operator in advance, providing medical documentation, and ensuring that the oxygen tank meets certain safety requirements. It’s best to contact Charm Aviation in advance to discuss any special needs or medical accommodations

Service animals are generally permitted on helicopter flights, provided that they meet the criteria set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA defines a service animal as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not permitted on helicopter flights. It’s always a good idea to contact the helicopter tour company in advance to inform them of your service animal and to make any necessary arrangements.

Helicopter tours are weather-dependent. We will monitor the weather closely and contact you if there are any changes or cancellations due to weather conditions.

Yes, there are several circumstances where your helicopter tour flight may be delayed, postponed, or canceled. Some of the most common reasons for flight delays or cancellations include:

1. Weather conditions: Helicopter tours are typically weather-dependent, and flights may be delayed or canceled due to poor visibility, strong winds, rain, or other adverse weather conditions.
2. Airspace restrictions: Helicopter tours are subject to airspace restrictions and regulations, which may change at any time due to events such as presidential visits, air shows, or security measures.
3. Maintenance issues: Helicopters require regular maintenance and inspections to ensure their safety and reliability. If a helicopter has a mechanical issue, the flight may be delayed or canceled until the issue is resolved.
4. Air traffic congestion: Helicopter tours may be delayed or rescheduled due to air traffic congestion, particularly during peak tourist seasons or special events.
5. Other unforeseen circumstances: There may be other unforeseen circumstances that could cause a delay or cancellation of your helicopter tour, such as staffing issues, operational issues, or emergencies.

We require a minimum of 48 hours notice for rescheduling your tour, which will be free of charge. However, as we have high demand for tour reservations, any cancellations or rescheduling requests made within 24 hours of your scheduled tour will be subject to fees.