This New Helicopter Airline Is Making It Easy to Hop Around the Greek Islands — With Affordable Fares and Glass Cockpits for Stunning Views

26.06.2024 - 17:05 / travelandleisure.com

The islands of the Aegean are the jewels of Greece, but that doesn’t mean getting to them is a breeze. Until now, Greek island hopping — glamorous as it is — has required lengthy ferry rides, inconvenient flight schedules, cruises, or, if you're lucky, your own private yacht.

That’s all changing this summer, with the introduction of Hoper, the f​​irst-ever scheduled helicopter airline in Greece. The Athens-based company offers individual seats on scheduled helicopter flights to 11 popular destinations in the Aegean: Athens, Antiparos, Folegandros, Ios, Kea, Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, Sifnos, Spetses, and Tinos.

PETROS SOFIKITIS/Courtesy of Hoper

Founded by Greek entrepreneurs and travel enthusiasts Demitris Memos, Costas Gerardos, and George Papaioannidis, Hoper is transforming Greek tourism by making convenient, fast, scenic, and safe helicopter flights to remote Greek islands accessible to the average tourist. 

Flights operate year-round with a fleet of five Robinson R44 and R66 helicopters, all with glass cockpits so travelers can also sightsee along the way. 

“If you’ve experienced a Greek summer, you know the true beauty of vacation lies in the unlaid plan,” Dimitris Kossyfas, chief commercial officer of Hoper, told Travel + Leisure. “With Hoper, we help you do that quickly and seamlessly.”

Related: 10 Mistakes to Avoid on a Trip to the Greek Islands

Jetting off last minute, even to remote islands, is no issue: Passengers can book online up to three hours before departure. Flights last 45 minutes or less, saving travelers precious hours and avoiding common transit hassles and headaches. 

PETROS SOFIKITIS/Courtesy of Hoper

And unlike yachting, island hopping with Hoper isn’t reserved for the one percent: One-way fares are reasonably priced from 160 to 350 euros.

“We’re here to help you see more of Greece in a cost-effective way and enjoy the freedom that Greek summer gives us all,” Kossyfas says.

With fixed routes and departure times, the airline provides a reliable way to experience flexible traveling around the Greek isles — “a unique step without precedent” for Greek tourism, according to Greece’s Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni. Hoper also operates chartered flights on a request basis.

The flights originate from Hoper’s base in Koropi (15 minutes by car from Athens International Airport), as well as from Mykonos and Santorini. The company upgraded all existing helipads in the destinations it serves and plans to add new destinations in the mainland later this year.