Helicopter, seaplane, skydive or gyrocopter?
Four ways to see Dubai from the air, compared by thrill, price and who they suit.
Helicopter: the choice for most people. A 12-minute Iconic tour covers the Palm, Burj Al Arab and the coast; 17 minutes adds Downtown and Burj Khalifa; 25 to 40 minutes goes out to the World islands or the desert edge. Up to six passengers, everyone gets a window, smooth and quiet enough for grandparents. Book a morning slot for the clearest air.
Seaplane: a small aircraft that takes off from the Creek or Jebel Ali harbour, flies a 25 to 40-minute loop over the Palm, Burj Khalifa and the coast, and lands on the water. Higher than a helicopter, a bigger horizon, and the take-off from water is the moment people remember. Fewer daily slots, so book early.
Tandem skydive: a 13,000 ft jump attached to an instructor, sixty seconds of freefall and a five-minute canopy ride down onto the Palm drop zone, with your own video. The most expensive and the one people fly to Dubai for. Age 18 and over, weight limits apply, and slots run out weeks ahead in winter.
Gyrocopter: an open two-seater with a pilot, cruising low along the coast at Skydive Dubai's Palm base or in the desert. Twenty minutes, wind in your face, more thrilling than a helicopter and a fraction of a skydive's price. Not for anyone nervous about heights.
Pick by nerve: gyrocopter or skydive for adrenaline, helicopter or seaplane for the view.