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For the person who has everything, give them altitude. A tandem skydive, a helicopter ride over a city or a first flying lesson is the kind of gift people talk about for years. Here are the best flying experience gifts, what they cost, and how to give them without the classic mistake: a voucher the recipient can’t actually use.
Flying experience gifts at a glance
| Gift | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery flight (first flying lesson) | About $75–225 (US) | Anyone who’s dreamed of being a pilot |
| Indoor skydiving | Varies by location | Kids, nervous flyers and groups |
| Helicopter tour | About $150–750 per person | Couples, travellers, milestone birthdays |
| Tandem skydive | About $250–300 (US); from about $349 near Toronto | Thrill-seekers and bucket-listers |
| Online drone pilot course | From about $159 | Drone owners who want to earn money |
1. A tandem skydive
The ultimate adrenaline gift. Most drop zones sell gift certificates by email, which makes them a good last-minute present. Add the video package: the recipient gets to relive the jump, and it’s the part most people treasure afterwards.
Before you buy, check:
- Eligibility: most US drop zones require jumpers to be 18 (some Canadian drop zones allow 16 with a parent), and nearly all have weight limits, often around 220–250 lb.
- Validity and transfer: some certificates last two years and can be passed to someone else; others are stricter.
- Location: certificates are usually only valid at the drop zone where you buy them, so pick one near the recipient.
See our tandem skydiving guide, or for Ontario, the three drop zones near Toronto.
Give a first jump at a drop zone near the recipient, ideally with the video package included.
2. A helicopter tour
Less scary than skydiving and just as memorable. City flights over Las Vegas or New York start at about $150–250 per person; Grand Canyon landing tours run about $500–750. If you’re not sure where or when they’ll travel, a travel-experience gift card is the flexible option: the Global Experiences Card, powered by Viator, can be spent on tours and activities in more than 200 countries and has no expiry date (versions are issued per country and currency, so buy the one for the recipient’s country).
- Las Vegas helicopter tours: Strip night flights vs. Grand Canyon
- New York helicopter tours: Manhattan, night and doors-off flights
A city or canyon flight they’ll never forget. Choose a booking with free cancellation or flexible dates in case the weather turns.
3. A discovery flight (first flying lesson)
A discovery flight puts the recipient in the pilot’s seat of a small plane with an instructor, who handles takeoff and landing and lets them fly in between. In the US it typically costs about $75–225, and the flight lasts roughly 30–60 minutes. Many flight schools will credit the fee toward full training if they sign up later, so it can be the first step toward a real licence. Ask your local flight school whether it sells gift certificates.
Curious where that could lead? See how to become a pilot.
4. Indoor skydiving
Wind-tunnel “indoor skydiving” recreates freefall with no plane and no height, which makes it the gift for kids, groups and anyone who wants the feeling without the jump. Packages typically include a safety briefing and one or more short flights with an instructor. Prices vary by city, so check your nearest tunnel, and see whether it sells gift vouchers.
5. For drone owners: a pilot licence course
If they already own a drone, help them turn it into an income. An online Part 107 course prepares them for the FAA exam they need to fly commercially in the US. Compare the options in our course comparison, and let them try the free practice test first.
Lifetime access, unlimited practice exams, and a guarantee that refunds the course and the $175 test fee if they fail on the first try.
How to give an experience gift (without the awkward part)
- Check eligibility first: age, weight and health rules apply to skydiving and many tours.
- Buy near the recipient, or choose a flexible gift card if you don’t know where they’ll go.
- Look for long validity and free rescheduling, because weather cancellations are common.
- Add the photos or video: it’s the part people keep.
- Make the reveal fun: print the voucher in a card, or pair it with something small like goggles or a toy plane.
FAQ
Can you give skydiving as a gift?
Yes. Most drop zones sell gift certificates, usually emailed right away. Check the recipient meets the age and weight limits and that the certificate is valid long enough.
How much is a helicopter ride as a gift?
Short city flights cost about $150–250 per person; Grand Canyon landing tours about $500–750.
What’s a good flying gift for someone who’s scared of heights?
Indoor skydiving or a discovery flight. Neither involves jumping, and both are calm, guided experiences.
Related reading
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and gift policies vary by provider; confirm before you buy.