Quote comparison
How to compare helicopter quotes
Compare helicopter quotes only on the same brief and only in writing. Line up each offer item by item — itinerary, aircraft and load, flight time, positioning, waiting, fees, permissions, validity, change terms and fallback — and treat anything not stated as a question, not a saving.
SkyMatch Group is an independent broker and concierge and does not own or operate aircraft. A person reviews your request and gathers written options from independent licensed operators on the same details. Prices are quoted per trip; no figures are shown here, and an enquiry is not a confirmed flight.
Comparison table
Use one column per offer when you compare; mark each row included, excluded or not stated.
| What to compare | What each quote should state | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Itinerary | Same departure, arrival, date, local times and return or waiting legs in every quote. | One quote priced one-way, another return; different landing sites. |
| Aircraft and load | Aircraft category proposed for your passengers, bags and approximate weights. | Seat count quoted without confirming baggage or weight. |
| Flight time | Estimated airborne time for each leg and the basis for it. | Very different times for the same route with no explanation. |
| Positioning | Whether flying the helicopter to your departure point and back is included. | Positioning listed as "extra" or not mentioned at all. |
| Waiting and overnight | Waiting time, standby and any crew overnight on multi-leg days. | Return leg quoted as if the aircraft simply reappears. |
| Fees and taxes | Landing, handling, parking and applicable taxes — included or excluded. | "Fees not included" with no list of which fees. |
| Permissions | Which landing or site approvals are confirmed and which are still pending. | A private site assumed usable without landing consent. |
| Validity | How long the offer is valid and what confirms it. | No expiry date; availability treated as held without acceptance. |
| Changes and cancellation | Change, weather and cancellation terms in writing. | Terms missing, or very different between offers. |
| Fallback | What happens if weather or operations stop the flight (e.g. a ground alternative). | No plan B for a time-critical journey. |
Step by step
01 Write one brief
Route, date, local times, flexibility, passengers, bags and any special needs. Send the identical brief for every quote, or the offers cannot be compared.
02 Collect written offers
Only compare offers in writing. A phone figure or a planning estimate is not an offer.
03 Put them side by side
Fill the table above for each offer. Mark every item as included, excluded or not stated.
04 Ask about the gaps
Anything "not stated" is a question, not a saving. Ask the same follow-up for every offer.
05 Compare the full trip
Add positioning, waiting, fees and ground connections. The cheapest flight line is not always the cheapest journey.
06 Check what is still open
Pending landing approvals, weather conditions and validity dates decide whether an offer is actually usable.
07 Accept in writing
A flight is confirmed only when you accept the written offer on its own terms and the operator confirms it.
Before you send the brief, run through the written quote checklist so every offer starts from the same information.
Common questions
How do I compare helicopter quotes?
Send the same brief for every quote, collect written offers, and compare them item by item: itinerary, aircraft and load, flight time, positioning, waiting, fees, permissions, validity, change terms and fallback. Treat anything not stated as a question to ask.
Why are two helicopter quotes for the same route so different?
Usually because they assume different things: aircraft type, positioning distance, waiting time, return legs, fees or landing sites. Line them up on the same basis before judging the price.
Who prepares the options?
SkyMatch Group is an independent broker and concierge; it does not own or operate aircraft. A person reviews your request and gathers written options from independent licensed operators on the same details, so they can be compared like for like.
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How long is a helicopter ride? Times by distance
Straight-line air-time estimates at a typical cruise of about 150 mph. Add start-up, taxi and any routing around restricted airspace; the selected operator confirms the real time for each flight. Price on request.
How long is a 2-mile helicopter ride?
About 1 minute of flying time for 2 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 5-mile helicopter ride?
About 2 minutes of flying time for 5 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 10-mile helicopter ride?
About 4 minutes of flying time for 10 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 15-mile helicopter ride?
About 6 minutes of flying time for 15 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 20-mile helicopter ride?
About 8 minutes of flying time for 20 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 25-mile helicopter ride?
About 10 minutes of flying time for 25 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 30-mile helicopter ride?
About 12 minutes of flying time for 30 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 50-mile helicopter ride?
About 20 minutes of flying time for 50 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.
How long is a 100-mile helicopter ride?
About 40 minutes of flying time for 100 miles in a straight line, before start-up and landing. Weather, routing and the aircraft type can change this, so the selected operator confirms the time once you request a quote.