GTA Online
Buckingham Skylift GTA Online
GTA Online Wiki Team · Updated:
The Buckingham Skylift is a Aircraft vehicle in GTA Online, available from Elitás Travel for FREE, known for its versatility and value.
Reliable option suitable for most players.
The Buckingham Skylift costs FREE. It achieves a top speed with a top speed of 100 mph (160.9 km/h). Solid all-rounder suitable for most players. According to community testing methodology by Broughy1322.
| Price | FREE |
|---|---|
| Top Speed | 100 mph (160.9 km/h) |
| Manufacturer | Buckingham |
| Category | Aircraft |
"A heavy construction crane helicopter."
Editor's Verdict
Is the Buckingham Skylift Worth Buying in 2026?
Editor's Take
The Buckingham Skylift is a niche purchase at $0. Stronger alternatives exist at this price point for both racing and freemode. Buy it for the collection factor or personal preference, not competitive advantage.
The Buckingham Skylift offers reliable functionality at its price point in the aircraft category.
Best Uses for the Buckingham Skylift
Enjoyable to drive around Los Santos in freemode.
Not Recommended
Too slow for competitive racing.
For Grinders
The Skylift serves its purpose but isn't specifically optimized for grinding. Focus on income-generating assets first if you're still building your empire—businesses and passive income sources should take priority over utility purchases until you're earning $1M+ per play session.
For Beginners
Consider this a mid-game purchase. Beginners should focus on establishing income first, but the Skylift makes a good goal to work toward. The learning curve is moderate, so expect a few hours of practice before you can exploit its full potential in missions and freemode activities.
For Racers
The Skylift serves a utility role outside of racing. For competitive speed, invest in dedicated vehicles instead.
For PvP Players
The Skylift has limited direct PvP applications. For dedicated freemode combat, invest in weaponized vehicles or Imani Tech upgrades instead.
For Collectors
Worth owning for collection completeness, though the Skylift isn't particularly rare or prestigious among dedicated collectors. Nice to have in a themed garage, but not a priority purchase unless you're specifically building a aircraft showcase collection.
Bottom line: Buy it for the collection factor or personal preference, not competitive advantage.
How Fast Is the Buckingham Skylift?
- Top Speed:100 mph (160.9 km/h)
- Lap Time:Not yet confirmed (Broughy1322 testing)
Handling Tips
- Coordinate throttle and pitch together in the Skylift—sudden pitch changes without matching power cause stalls at low speed or dangerous dives at altitude.
- When flying the Skylift in combat, never hold a straight line for more than 2-3 seconds. Varying altitude, speed, and heading makes you exponentially harder to track with missiles.
When NOT to Buy
- Don't buy for competitive racing. The Skylift will lose to faster vehicles in its class.
The 100 mph figure above reflects fully upgraded standard configuration.
How It Compares
The Buckingham Skylift sits at the top of the Aircraft tier; here is how it stacks up against its true rivals.
| Vehicle | Price | Top Speed | Rank | Class | HSW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckingham Skylift | FREE | 100.0 mph/ 160.9 km/h | — | — | No |
| Buckingham DH-7 Iron Mule | $2,345,000 | 140.0 mph/ 225.3 km/h | — | Helicopters | No |
| Western Company Duster 300-H | $3,200,000 | 155.0 mph/ 249.4 km/h | — | Planes | No |
| Eberhard Titan 250 D | $4,870,000 | 180.0 mph/ 289.7 km/h | — | Planes | No |
| Mammoth Hydra | $3,990,000 | 209.3 mph/ 336.8 km/h | — | — | No |
Buckingham DH-7 Iron Mule
The Buckingham DH-7 Iron Mule is a heavy transport helicopter based on the Sikorsky CH-53K, added in Oscar Guzman Flies Again.
Western Company Duster 300-H
The Western Company Duster 300-H is an attack plane based on the Air Tractor AT-802, added in Oscar Guzman Flies Again.
Eberhard Titan 250 D
The Eberhard Titan 250 D is a heavily armed gunship based on the Lockheed AC-130, added in Oscar Guzman Flies Again.
Mammoth Hydra
The Hydra is a VTOL jet based on the AV-8B Harrier II, featuring vertical takeoff capability and a devastating explosive cannon. Its ability to hover and switch between flight modes makes it incredibly versatile for both combat and traversing the map quickly from any location.
How Do You Upgrade the Buckingham Skylift?
The Buckingham Skylift can be customized at Los Santos Customs for visual modifications including paint, wheels, and window tints. Performance upgrades such as engine, transmission, brakes, and turbo are available and significantly improve vehicle performance. Full modification typically costs $150,000-$300,000 depending on upgrade levels selected. Based on community testing, the turbo and engine upgrades provide the most noticeable performance gains per dollar spent, so prioritize those before cosmetic modifications.
Modifications Available
- Engine
- Brakes
- Transmission
- Suspension
- Armor
- Respray
- Wheels
- Liveries
Recommended Order
- 1Engine Level 4 — The single biggest performance improvement for the Skylift. Prioritize this over cosmetic mods.
- 2Turbo — Sharpens the Skylift's throttle response and adds noticeable acceleration, especially from low speeds.
- 3Bulletproof Tires — At the Skylift's price point, this is your best value upgrade. Prevents spinouts from gunfire during missions.
Special Features
- Vertical takeoff capability (if applicable) for rooftop and confined area access.
- Countermeasures including flares and chaff to evade missiles.
Can You Get the Buckingham Skylift for Free?
As of 2026, no confirmed permanent free unlock method has been documented for the Buckingham Skylift. The methods below are community observations and time-limited opportunities, not guaranteed acquisition paths.
- 1Some aircraft can be found at airports and helipads around the map - check Fort Zancudo, LSIA, and Sandy Shores Airfield.
- 2Complete Contact Missions that provide this aircraft temporarily to test it before purchasing.
Where to Find
Purchase from: ✈️ Elitás Travel(elitastravel.com)
- Purchase from Elitás Travel (elitastravel.com). Civilian aircraft are exclusively sold through this dealer.
- Some aircraft can be found at LSIA, Sandy Shores Airfield, or Fort Zancudo for temporary use (not storable without purchase).
The Buckingham Skylift sells back for FREE at Los Santos Customs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Buckingham Skylift cost in GTA Online?
The Buckingham Skylift costs $0 in GTA Online.
What is the top speed of the Buckingham Skylift?
The Buckingham Skylift has a tested top speed of 100 mph (160.9 km/h) based on community testing data.
Is the Buckingham Skylift worth buying?
Yes. The Buckingham Skylift offers solid performance for its price of $0. Prioritize essential business properties before luxury purchases.
Can I get the Buckingham Skylift for free?
As of 2026, no confirmed permanent free unlock method exists for the Buckingham Skylift. It has appeared during weekly GTA Online events, Lucky Wheel spins at the Diamond Casino, and as a Prize Ride at the LS Car Meet. Check Rockstar's Newswire for current promotions.
What is the sell price of the Buckingham Skylift?
The Buckingham Skylift sells for $0 at Los Santos Customs, which is 60% of the original purchase price. Upgrade investments are only partially recovered when selling.