Everything below comes from the public product page for the 6 Mile Helicopter Flight with Prosecco sold by Virgin Experience Days, plus the seller’s helicopter category page.1 It is a reading of what the seller says, not a review of any flight we have taken, and the seller’s own page is always the final word.
The headline, then the detail
The headline is simple: a helicopter flight for one person, a mini bottle of bubbly, a voucher you can send straight to someone else. The detail is where the real decisions sit. Here is how each line on the listing translates.
| The listing says | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| “5 minute flight” | The flight itself is short. The seller advises allowing about 15 minutes for the whole experience, which includes arrival, a safety and technical briefing and landing. |
| “12 months validity” | The clock starts on the date of purchase, not when you first book. Flights run on selected weekend dates, roughly monthly per location, March to November, so the usable window is shorter than a year. |
| “Flexible booking” | A headline feature on the listing. The detail sits in the seller’s booking terms, so read those before you buy rather than after. |
| “Maximum of five postponements” | You can move your booking, but the listing says a voucher can be released only after a maximum of five postponements. Weather-led moves are a normal part of helicopter flying. |
| “Guidelines” | Minimum age 6, maximum height 6ft 6in, maximum weight 15 stone. The page states these are guidelines that may differ by location, so confirm with the location at booking. |
| “Surcharge payable on the day” | A small fuel surcharge is paid directly to the supplier at the venue, on top of the voucher price, so budget for it. |
| “Locations shown shouldn’t be used for route planning” | The location list is a guide to where the seller operates, not directions. Use the booking confirmation for the exact site. |
Health and suitability
The listing says you should not take part if you have epilepsy or vertigo, or are pregnant, and that you should be in reasonable health. If you have a disability or illness that might affect you, the seller says to discuss it with the centre before booking. If you are buying the voucher for someone else, that conversation needs to happen before the surprise, not after it.
Who watches, and what to wear
Spectators cannot fly with the voucher holder, but family and friends can watch take-off and landing, and the seller says most venues have a café or viewing area. For clothing, the seller’s own advice is comfortable, layered clothing and closed-toe, flat-soled shoes or boots, nothing loose that could catch, and dressing for the weather because airfields can be exposed.2 The seller also warns that a helicopter can feel a little less smooth than a commercial plane.
Flight types, and what the names tell you
The seller’s category page lists dozens of helicopter products, from short rides to flying lessons. The names carry most of the information.
| Name pattern | What to check before buying |
|---|---|
| “6 Mile” flights | The entry level. Short by design, available for one or for two, and the cheapest way to try it. |
| “12 Mile” and “18 Mile” flights | Longer routes at higher prices. Ask the location what the longer route actually covers. |
| “Themed” flights | Listed by duration (for example 15, 20 or 30 minutes). Check which landmarks or areas are included at your nearest location. |
| “Sightseeing” over a city | Offered at far fewer locations than the short rides. Check you can actually reach the departure point. |
| “Lesson” products | You handle the controls under instruction. Different product, different expectations: this is not a passenger ride. |
The seller’s own guide says helicopter rides can cost from about £50 to £1,000, depending on party size, length of flight and whether it is private or shared.2
Giving it as a gift
After you pay, the seller says it sends the voucher and booking information to you or directly to the recipient, and the recipient then books a date. That makes it a workable last-minute present, with one caveat: the person receiving it has to be able to travel to a location on the seller’s weekend dates inside twelve months. Mention the surcharge and the guidelines when you hand it over.
Virgin Experience Days is an independent company and is not part of Hovertale. This is an affiliate link: if you buy through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Check the seller’s page for the current price, dates and terms before you buy.
If you came here from our front-page story, you can read it again here.
Sources
2 sources
- Virgin Experience Days, “6 Mile Helicopter Flight with Prosecco” product page, as read when this guide was written.
- Virgin Experience Days, “Helicopter Experiences & Flying Lessons” category page and its customer questions, as read when this guide was written.