Passenger Helicopter from Spain to Africa, The 10 Minute Intercontinental Flight

There are probably few places in the world you can take a ten minute helicopter ride from one continent to another, but in Spain it's possible. Just 7 miles separates the European Continent from the African Continent, and in a few places along The Strait of Gibraltar, it's closer.

Two cities of Spain sit on the Northern African Coast, Ceuta and Melílla. The Autonomous City of Ceuta lies just 7 miles from its closest Spanish neighbor, Algeciras. Ceuta, once one of the most prosperous cities in Northern Africa is a small peninsula bordered by Morocco to its west, and the sea to its north and south.

Daily ferries and helicopter flights connect Ceuta to the Spanish main land. These ferries and helicopters provide a major staple to the Ceutí culture and economy. During the last week in October I took the short but fun helicopter ride across the Strait of Gibraltar to land in the African City of Ceuta.

Hélity

Several daily roundtrip helicopter flights are offered through the private company of Hélity, between Algeciras and Ceuta. The heliports are easy to get to, small, and you arrive just 15-30 minutes before your flight for check in. The heliports are controlled by the Spanish Government, complete with Spanish Police, Guardia Civil, and other military personnel.

Photo courtesy of Helity.com

Booking the tickets online was somewhat of a smooth process and the website is easily navigable. If you don't have a Spanish Residency ID card you might run into a problem booking online and might have to call. I used my Spanish Residency card for my booking which allowed for a discount.

One issue I encountered while booking online was using my credit card. My Chase Visa didn't work, nor did my American Express. I had to use my BBVA debit card from my Spanish bank account in order to book. This could be because I was using my residency card to book and it might have required a local bank account to apply the discount. But I was able to book, which in the end was exciting!

I highly recommend these cards for their travel benefits while traveling abroad because they don't charge International Transaction fees. And the Chase Sapphire Preferred has rental car coverage attached to it.

While Booking, I chose the 2pm departure and return for both legs of my trip which were just two days apart. The schedule seems to run about 3-4 flights in the morning and 3-4 flights in the afternoon. Having the option of choosing from several departure times was quite convenient.

Check in was super simple and fast, as there is a max of 15 passengers to check in. Check in doesn't start until 15 minutes prior to departure and it literally took 7 minutes for everyone to be checked in. Remember your bags have to be small and all bags have to be checked, see their baggage policy.

At the main gate for check in, is the security screening. When you check in, you must check in all small carry on's as well. My back pack had to be checked in through security, so I made sure to take out my camera bag. You are allowed to have one small hand item that can fit on your lap, but that's it. And there is no extra room in the helicopter for anything larger than fits in your hand.

The gate agent checks your ticket to their records, checks your identification, and within minutes you are walking through the security screening to the first hold area. Don't forget to grab the free earplugs provided. You will need them.

After a minute or so, you pass through a corridor and take an elevator up to the top of the parking garage adjacent to the terminal. There is another small holding area for a few minute wait, just below the helipad. After a couple minutes of hearing the purring engines of the helicopter, exiting passengers emerge from the stair way and then it was my turn to get on.

I was so excited to experience a helicopter for the first time, especially one taking me across the Strait of Gibraltar and traversing two continents. From where I live, in La Línea de la Concepcíon, Spain, I can see over to the African coast almost everyday. So getting the chance to fly there via helicopter was a dream come true!

The helicopter was noisy and I quickly put in my ear plugs as I climbed the final stairs to the helipad. The process was quick as each employee and pilots wave you along in formation to get into the helicopter. There was no delay between climbing the stairs and getting in.

Unfortunately, I ended up with a middle seat. Next to me there was an off duty pilot who had luckily snagged the window seat. But immediately to my right there was an open seat, a space of about 11 inches.

The seats are cramped with no room to move. It's a legs squeezed together, hands in your laps and eyes down kind of experience. The first row directly behind the cockpit has the back of the seats facing toward the rear. There are 5 seats in this row, which are knee to knee with the second row of seats that face row one. Row 3 sits behind with seats facing forward and no leg room.

The seats are compact. There is about 11-12 inches per seat and you make quick friends with your seat mates as there is no chance of not being shoulder to shoulder with them. Being jam-packed-in, is the name of the game on this 10 minute intercontinental flight.

Departure was quick, with no instructions, other than watching one of the employees help someone adjust their seatbelt. The process was so quick that if you only do it once, it's a fly by process, so try to remember it.

I was allowed to film on the flight, once in the helicopter. It is posted all over the heliport that filming or photography inside the heliport is strictly prohibited. It also said the authorities would confiscate your equipment if you did so, and I like my Sony Handycam, GoPro Hero 9 and iPhone, so I just waited until I got in the chopper to film.

Watch this awesome video of the flight leaving Europe, then leaving Africa and Returning to Europe.

Before I knew it we were landing in Ceuta, the flight is only 10 minutes long, and with spectacular views the time goes by quickly. From my seat I was was able to capture The Rock of Gibraltar as we were leaving Europe.

After a couple days in Ceuta, I took the return helicopter ride back to Europe. It was a better experience as this time, I made sure to be last to board so I could get a window seat that would face The Rock of Gibraltar, and luckily I chose well. You can see those views in the video.

The boarding process at the Ceuta Heliport was much the same, fast, simple, efficient. Arriving just 20 minutes before departure gave plenty of time. Passing through security, waiting in the holding area and boarding were just minutes of the time. From heliport to flight to landing, it was not even 30 minutes.

In short, if you are looking for a fun experience with a helicopter on an intercontinental flight from Europe to Africa, I recommend Hélity.

The experience was super short, fast, and well worth it to me. I love being able to say I took a helicopter from Europe to Africa across The Strait of Gibraltar, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

The helicopter was cramped and not for the faint of heart. Although quick, if you have issues with space or height this is not the right thing for you. Flying in the helicopter from Europe to Africa and back again was an exhilarating experience. If you get the chance to take a flight with Hélity from Algeciras to Ceuta its so much fun. There is also the option to book a one way helicopter ticket and take the ferry back.

Be aware that in the heliport it is prohibited to take pictures or film. The Spanish Police and Guardia Civil are not the kindest of people if you break the law, especially when it comes to something of National Security. So make sure you DO NOT film or take pictures in the heliport.

I am so grateful that I live in the South of Spain and was able to have the opportunity to take this trip of a lifetime. Ceuta is a beautiful Spanish city featuring gorgeous architecture, military history, and stunning views of Morocco, Gibraltar, and Spain. I highly recommend this trip.

Please be sure to check out THE SPAIN GIBRALTAR CHANNEL on Youtube and please click the subscribe button. If you have any questions about Ceuta or taking the helicopter from mainland Spain please feel free to reach out.