Zip Aviation

Zip Aviation is a helicopter operator in New York City. It describes itself as an FAA-certificated direct air carrier that owns, operates and maintains its own aircraft. A 2026 Rotor Pro feature says the company has flown in New York airspace since 2005 under Part 135.

The company is widely known for sightseeing tours from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, where it runs half of the terminal. It also offers on-demand private charters across the Northeast, with destinations including the Hamptons, Atlantic City, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Other work includes airport transfers, aerial photography, organ transport and some film work.

The Rotor Pro article puts the fleet at ten helicopters: six Bell 407s, used mainly for tours, two Bell 206L4 LongRangers and two Sikorsky S-76s. The S-76s are used for on-demand charters and IFR-capable flights. Maintenance runs from a hangar in Caldwell, New Jersey, and the company says helicopters can be ready on about an hour's notice in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey area.

The same article reports a staff of about 60, including around 25 pilots and eight full-time mechanics. It also says Zip has provided helicopter passenger services for the Ryder Cup since 2016.