Give the gift of flight. Intro flights over Philadelphia from $99. Shop gift flights

Scenic flights from Northeast Philadelphia Airport

See Philadelphia from the air

A sightseeing flight for you and a friend. A GQ pilot flies the airplane. You sit back and take in the Center City skyline and the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.

$299a friend included
  • 4.8★ on Google and Groupon, 500+ reviews
  • No flying experience needed
  • Free new date if weather cancels
The Center City Philadelphia skyline seen past the wing of a GQ Aviation airplane
Center City, photographed from a GQ Aviation airplane. Your view will vary with the weather and the light.

The experience

What your sightseeing flight is like

You meet your GQ pilot at Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Your pilot does all of the flying, from takeoff to landing. Your only job is to look out the window.

From the air, Philadelphia makes sense in a new way. The Center City skyline stands between two rivers, the Delaware on one side and the Schuylkill on the other. You see how the skyline and the rivers fit together.

The tour is $299, and a friend comes along at no extra cost. There is nothing to learn and no experience needed. Wear something comfortable and bring your camera.

Your pilot plans each flight around the weather and air traffic that day, so we don't promise a set route. Questions about timing or anything else? Send us a message or call (215) 839-8507.

Curious who you're flying with? GQ Aviation has flown out of Northeast Philadelphia Airport since 2015 and has trained pilots there since 2019. Read the story of GQ Aviation, or meet the airplanes in our fleet.

Why a small airplane

A small-airplane flight, not a crowded tour

Big group tours often mean a fixed schedule, a crowd and a short turn at the window. A GQ flight is booked by appointment around your schedule, and a friend flies with you.

FAA-authorized tours

We fly sightseeing tours under an FAA Letter of Authorization (14 CFR 91.147).

Booked around you

Flights are by appointment. After you buy, we contact you within one business day to pick a date.

Eyes outside

Your pilot handles the airplane. You get to look, point and take photos.

Weather-wise

If weather or maintenance cancels your flight, we find you a new date at no charge.

Occasions

A plane ride for the big days

A flight over Philadelphia turns an ordinary plan into a story you'll retell. Here are a few good reasons to book one.

Birthdays

Mark a milestone with something out of the ordinary. Seeing their city from above is hard to top.

Anniversaries

Bring your partner along and see the city you share from a whole new angle.

Proposals

Planning to pop the question with the city below? Mention it when you book, and ask us any questions about the day.

Date night for couples

An airplane ride for couples who want more than dinner and a movie. One price, and your partner comes along.

Visiting family

Show a visiting relative or friend Philadelphia from above. The tour price includes them.

Photography

Shoot the skyline and both rivers from above. Read the tips below before you go.

Photo tips

Tips

Tips for better views and photos

A few small choices make a real difference to what you see and what you bring home.

Think about the light

Low sun in the morning or late afternoon often flatters a skyline. Ask us which flight times are open when you schedule.

Wear dark clothing

Light colors reflect in the window and show up in your shots. A dark top cuts those reflections.

Use a wrist strap

Bring a phone or camera with a wrist strap. You can shoot freely without worrying about a drop.

Turn off the flash

A flash bounces off the window. Hold your lens close to the glass, without touching it, for cleaner photos.

Charge up first

Start with a full battery and some free storage. You may take more photos than you expect.

Keep a backup date

Small airplanes need good weather. Having a second date in mind makes rescheduling easy if the sky doesn't cooperate.

How booking works

Booking your tour in four steps

  1. Order online

    It takes a couple of minutes, and we confirm within one business day.

  2. Pick your date

    We contact you within one business day to schedule your flight.

  3. Arrive early

    Come to KPNE, 9800 Ashton Rd, Hangar A, 10 minutes before your flight. Each guest signs a liability waiver.

  4. Enjoy the view

    Your GQ pilot flies. You and your guest take in the skyline and the rivers.

Good to know

Before you book

These policies keep every flight safe and fair. Read the full details on our booking and cancellation policies page.

Holding a GQ Aviation Groupon voucher? Send us your voucher code and preferred dates. A $30 per flight fuel and landing surcharge is paid on arrival.

More ways to fly

Give it, or fly it yourself

Gift idea

Give the tour as a gift

Buying for someone else? Mention the gift when you order, and we email you a printable gift certificate. It stays valid for at least five years from purchase.

Not sure which flight they'd pick? A flight gift card can be bought for any amount instead.

Hands-on

Want to fly the plane yourself?

On the tour, your pilot flies. A discovery flight is a real flying lesson instead. After a ground briefing and walk-around, you fly the airplane with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) beside you at the dual controls.

The time can be logged toward a pilot certificate. Intro flights (one lap in the pattern) are $99, and the longer discovery flight is $199.

Already hooked on flying? See how our FAA Part 61 pilot training programs work.

Questions

Airplane tour FAQ

Still deciding? Call (215) 839-8507. We're open daily from 6 am to 8 pm.

See all FAQs
Do I fly the plane on the tour?

No. A GQ pilot flies the airplane the whole time, so you can relax and enjoy the views. If you want to take the controls, book a discovery flight instead. That is a real flying lesson with a certificated flight instructor.

How much does a Philadelphia airplane tour cost?

The Philadelphia Flight Tour is $299, and that includes a friend. You can buy it in our online shop, or send a booking request.

What will we see from the air?

You'll enjoy views of the Center City skyline and the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Your pilot works with the weather and air traffic control on the day, so we don't promise an exact route.

How long is the flight?

Ask us about timing when you schedule your flight. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early to check in and sign the waiver.

Is it a good airplane ride for couples?

Yes. The $299 tour includes a friend, so your partner flies with you. It suits anniversaries, date nights and proposals.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We only fly when conditions are right. If weather or maintenance cancels your flight, we find you a new date at no charge. If you need to change plans yourself, please give us at least 24 hours' notice.

Can I give the tour as a gift?

Yes. Mention the gift when you order and we email you a printable gift certificate, valid for at least five years from purchase. See all gift flight ideas.

Ready to see the city from above?

Book online in a couple of minutes. We'll contact you within one business day to set your date.

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