Anyone who spends any time outside in Las Vegas will notice one thing very quickly and that is the huge amount of helicopter traffic. Some of that is High Rollers and Celebs flying in, some are News and Traffic helicopters taking an aerial view of the city, but most, a huge majority are tourist sightseeing flights, Choppers packed with tourists getting the best view in the house of the mindblowing Las Vegas Strip.
The Las Vegas strip looks pretty incredible from any location, be it on the strip itself, your high-level hotel room, the High Roller, or even a distant view of the skyline. But for the ULTIMATE view, you have to take to the air. Soaring over the Las Vegas strip is real Bucket list stuff, and as such, it’s important to get it right so we take a look at all the Best helicopter tours in Las Vegas, Which tours to take, and Who to fly with. We can assure you this is an experience you will never forget as you soar over the dazzling bright lights of Las Vegas!
Flight Routes and experiences
There are 3 main experiences available from Las Vegas, each company will have several variants and additions of these but they all boil down to 3 main flight paths. We will take a look at these before diving into the different operators.
Vegas Strip Helicopter Tours
This is the basic and cheapest option, ranging from $80-$120 and 12-15 mins in duration. Most of these are night-time flights to get the full effect of the strip, while some companies offer Daytime trips we find the strip is just so much more spectacular at night.
The Trips are pretty simple, Take off from Harry Reid International, head up the strip, take in the bright lights of Las Vegas, and Past the Stratosphere for a close look. Loop around Downtown Las Vegas and head back down the strip to the Heliport.
The whole thing takes about 12-15mins but you get to see pretty much all of Vegas, the strip is not huge and even at the reduced airspeeds the choppers fly, there really isn’t much else to see.
The experience is a typical Vegas Cheap Thrill. Get up, take it all in, and back down to earth, with a lighter wallet, all before you know it. But we don’t mean this as a bad thing. These trips are for many the absolute highlight of their Vegas trip. Vegas at night is like nothing on earth and seeing it from the air is a real lifetime experience.
There are some inherent downsides to this tour, however, and it is not easily remedied. Vegas is the home of Gambling, but we “bet” you didn’t think you would be gambling when you booked your Helicopter tour! The problem is the Las Vegas Airspace is insanely busy, with 50+ helicopters doing tours of the strip every hour, along with constant arrivals and departures from Harry Reid International, plus 2 other airports and a USAF Base all within a ten-mile radius, it is seriously busy up there.
So the FAA keeps Helicopter traffic simple. Any of the Las Vegas Strip Tours ALL take the same route. It does not matter which company you choose. They all head the same way. From the airport, they head north with the strip on the left-hand side of the Chopper. At Downtown Vegas it’s a 180° turn and back down the opposite side of the strip, again with the strip to the left.
See the problem? With the EC130 Helicopter layout, anyone in the front or back Left Seats is going to have a heck of a view. Those stuck in the Rear right-hand seats, well it’s pretty sh$$y! It is not as bad as you may fear, the Rear seats are elevated (Stadium Seating) above the front so you can see over the Pilot and front-seat passengers, but it’s not as cool and clear as from the front. You still get a great view of the Strip, but there is that nagging feeling of being shortchanged. You know you are just not getting as good an experience as the other guests!
The Seat selection is also “Random”. The operators will tell you, Over and Over, that the selection is based on weights and balances assigned by the computer. This is rubbish. On our last outing the Pilot said: “You two in the front“, to a nice couple we were flying with, “and one other in the front?” With my camera in hand, I jumped at that. “And the other 3 in the back, however, you like!” Weights and Balances… Yeah right.
This is a cover as they KNOW they are short-changing couples or groups by stuffing them in the worst seats, They KNOW people are going to kick back and as such use the weight and balances computer argument. Sorry, but as a Private Pilot, it doesn’t wash. The Choppers can easily handle any load configuration any set group of people is going to throw at them. Come on; these are multi-million$ Aircraft with a 1000hp Turbojet engine, Do you think they can’t handle a fat (or skinny) kid sitting in the wrong place?!
There are a few ways around this, Maverick Private Hire is almost the same price as 4x passengers. If there are 4 or more of you just hire the whole Chopper! Sundance and Pallipan let you reserve the front seats for $25 each, it’s a bit of a con, but if you want great seats guaranteed it’s the only way. YOU CANNOT CHOOSE between right and left in the rear!
Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
With the Grand Canyon Tours, the seat position is less important. Front seats are better, as you get the pilot’s eye view, but really in an EC130 there is little to worry about, the rear seat view is mindblowing. As the Canyon rears up on both sides the view is staggering, although any strip flyover will be subject to the same restrictions as the stip-only tours.
Grand Canyon Helicopter tours are the top-end tours and the ones we all aspire to, there can be nothing more magical than flying down into the Grand Canyon, Celebrating with Champagne, and then soaring back to Las Vegas. These tours are serious bucket list experiences, but they come at a cost!
Prices start at $550 (from Las Vegas) and for this, you get a flight over some incredible terrain, a landing inside the West Rim, a Plastic cup of California Champagne, and some basic snacks (think crisps, maybe a sandwich!) and finally a flight back and over the strip.
When put like that it may sound pretty unappealing, but the landscape is one of utter beauty. The Desert that surrounds las Vegas has a real rugged appeal, backed by towering mountains, once aloft it really is beautiful. Vegas itself from the air is like nothing on earth and the stunning blueness of Lake Mead and the fiery reds of the valley of fire contrast starkly with the endless beiges of the desert. It is a wonderful place to take a helicopter flight. Then there is the Canyon itself.
The West Rim is where most Helicopter tours will take you. This is one of the most beautiful and stunning canyons on earth, however, it actually falls well short of another location. Namely the South Rim of the grand canyon! This part of the Canyon just cannot hold a candle to its bigger sister but the south rim lies 280 miles away from Las Vegas and is not practical for a helicopter flight from Las Vegas (see below for some tour ideas). So what you get from Vegas is the West Rim.
From above it is still incredibly vast, a giant scar carved into the earth and as you descend down into the canyon the sheer walls rise up and devour you. From the landing sites at the banks of the Colorado River, we can assure you, that thoughts about this being a lesser canyon will be far from your mind!
If you are looking for that ultimate Vegas Experience, one to share with your loved one and build memories that will last a Lifetime there is little better than a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour, We know they are costly but this is proper Bucket list stuff and you do get quite a bit for your money.
Red Rock Canyon Helicopter Tours
The Red Rock Canyon flights sit somewhere in between the two. A bit more costly than a Vegas Strip flight and not quite as spectacularly as the Grand Canyon. If you want the Grand Canyon but looking to save money this is a poor substitute and will always feel like settling. But in reality, it is a unique and fun experience, less touristy than the Grand Canyon, you get to see one of Las Vegas’s very special rock formations and overlook Vegas for a place very few get to see. Combined with a flight down the strip after dark.
This is more for people wanting an upgraded experience from the Vegas Strip Tour, this gives you Vegas, Vegas, and More Vegas, the view from the canyon landing sights is seriously special, and watching Vegas come alive a night is unforgettable.
Options
Most operators will offer a host of options, such as Meal deals, Shows, and other add-ons. On the whole, these are not always great value and you really are paying for the convenience.
We normally book separately if we want a Helicopter, Dinner, and a Show as we find doing our own thing gives us the freedom to really just do exactly as we want. Why be limited to the show and restaurants they are offering when you have ALL of Vegas to choose from?
One exception to this is the Skywalk add-ons to the Grand Canyon Tours. This will include two landings, Top and bottom, and access to the Skywalk Attraction and usually lunch.
This gives you a really all-inclusive experience of the West Rim, you can get out and explore the canyon from the top, and walk along the glass floor of the Skywalk. It is not entirely necessary as quite frankly after viewing the Canyon from a chopper, any other view is a letdown really. But if you want to tick EVERY box this is a good option.
Best Las Vegas Helicopter Tour Operators
There is a good choice of operators, which helps keep competition healthy and prices low. The flights are all very similar as they are restricted by the FAA and clearance from Harry Reid Tower, Las Vegas’s airspace is VERY busy. The main differences are cost, the type of helicopter used, and any added extras.
The Other differentiation is the base, the big operators all fly out of Harry Reid International’s heliports, but there are some smaller operators who fly from North Las Vegas Airport.
Harry Reid International Airport
The Big three all fly out of Harry Reid International Airport. This has a distinct advantage that you are on the strip right away, as soon as you lift off you are at the golden towers of the Mandalay Bay, and the entire flight time is over the strip. This can lead to shorter flights, but you get the whole strip, all of the time. From North Las Vegas there is a little flight time to get to the strip, and they miss a bit out to avoid the heavy congestion around McCarran.
The Home bases are bigger and glitzier, and the fleets are generally newer top-end helicopters, The Airport is much easier to get to from most strip hotels and the companies often offer free pick-up from most locations.
Maverick Helicopters #1
These are the big boys in Las Vegas. Their fleet is huge and their home terminal is a shiny modern complex that processes customers in a fast and efficient way. Expect a glass of champagne upon arrival and free hotel pick-up from anywhere on the strip.
The Fly Exclusively in the EC/HC 130 Eco-Star helicopters which are modern Aircraft with impeccable safety records, perfect for tourist flights. They sit 4 across the back and 2 to 3 in the front with the Pilot. The windows are large and even the worst seat still gets a good view, although you may feel hard done by if you are right in the back-right seat!
The company is very professional and provides an efficient and well-oiled service, although it can feel a little cold and a bit impersonal seeing as you are one of many customers they will be flying that day!
Best Flight Experiences from Maverick
- Las Vegas Strip Tour – $104 per person
- Las Vegas Strip Tour – Private Flight – $498 up to 6 people!
- WindDancer – Grand Canyon – $ 469 per person ($499 Sunset)
The Vegas Strip tour is a basic flight up and down the strip, it is nothing fancy but the spectacular Vegas Strip at night is more than enough and this certainly feels pretty magical. If there are 4 or more of you in the group then the private Flight ensures you have the chopper to yourself and will get the best seats!
The WindDancer Tour is Mavericks Grand Canyon Experience. This flight takes you out via Hoover Dam and Lake mead to Mavericks private landing site inside the west rim, where light snacks and a “glass” of champagne are served.
Maverick’s Landing site is not the best of the bunch, it is quite high above the river so doesn’t feel quite as inside as others, but the views down the canyon are still utterly mindblowing
After leaving, you fly through the canyon a short way before heading back over the Valley of Fire. The final part of the trip takes the standard pass over the strip. If you take the Sunset option the flight back with be during sunset with incredibly beautiful colors and the Vegas stip coming alive in all its nighttime glory!
Book Direct at Maverick Helicopters Today!
NOTE – You can get the Maverick Las Vegas Strip Night Tour as part of the Las Vegas Go Pass, saving quite a large amount of money when combined with other Las Vegas Attractions. Read the Full Review here.
Grand Canyon South tours with Maverick Helicopters
The West Rim is a truly incredible place, however, it is NOT the best part of the Canyon. The South rim is even more stunning, and its scale is hard to fathom, up to 18 miles wide, a mile deep, and filled with colors of unthinkable beauty. The problem is the South Rim and the Grand Canyon National Park are a LONG way from Vegas, too far for a helicopter, and 5+ hour 560+ mile journey by Coach or Car.
Maverick will take you there however, they offer 2 options, a light aircraft flight to Grand Canyon National Park Airport, then a helicopter tour over the canyon (Grand Canyon Dream @ $544), or if you make your own way to the park you can just do the helicopter tour (Canyon Spirit @ $299). These are Expensive Tours but you will not be disappointed!
Experience airplane, helicopter, and foot sightseeing tours at the Grand Canyon. Book Today!
Sundance Las Vegas Helicopter Tours – Closed
Sundance has permanently Closed its Tour operations and is no longer offering Las Vegas Helicopter Tours!
Papillion Helicopters
Papillion is one of the oldest operators flying out of Las Vegas, They also operate out of Boulder Airport, a short drive from Las Vegas, or with free Limo pickup, this will add a good two hours to any trip so make sure you know where you are flying from.
Papillon is best known for its Grand Canyon Tours and this is where they shine. Their Base is one of the largest at McCarran (shared with Atlantic Aviation) and can process a large number of people, and can feel a little like a cattle market.
Best Flight Experiences from Papillion
- Las Vegas Strip Night Flight – $99 per person
- Golden Eagle with Vegas Strip – $378.99 per person
- Grand Celebration with Las Vegas Strip – $448.99 per person ($474 Sunset)
Papillion’s Landing site in the Cayon is the best of the bunch, it is much lower than the others and has stunning views up and down the canyon along with the quartermaster tributary. Being so low the Canyon walls really tower above you and you get a real feeling of the incredible scale of the Canyon.
watch out for trips from Boulder City, they are considerably cheaper but you miss out on the Las Vegas Strip and instead require a 50-mile round trip by car, limo, or bus. We much prefer flying out of Vegas, but if you only want to experience the canyon and want to save a few $ these are a good choice.
The Golden Eagle With Las Vegas trip is a purely airborne experience. Jump in the Chopper, fly to the canyon, and take a look at the incredible wonder by air only, for many landing inside the canyon is all part of the experience but seeing it from the air is the main course really and this option saves time and money!
Book Now Direct from Papillion
Helicopter Tours from North Las Vegas Airport
A little outside of the main strip area is Las Vegas North Airport. This is a very different place to McCarren. There are no big terminals, no large rental car places, and no Jumbo Jets taking off and landing every five minutes. The place is in fact eerily quiet most of the time.
This makes it a fantastic place for air operations such as Helicopter tours, Private Jets, and Light Aircraft. We recently booked our own light Aircraft from here and flew ourselves over the Grand Canyon!
Don’t expect the glitz and glamour of the large terminals the McCarran operators fly out of, instead, everything is low-key and a little more relaxed, they also tend to use older helicopters, but this is not always a bad thing (the Robison 44 is an incredible aircraft!)
These tours tend to be a little more personal and a little longer in duration, mainly as you need to get to and from the strip,
5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
Flying the older AS350 A-Star Helicopters 5 Star Helicopters offer some of the cheapest tours in Las Vegas. The A-Star is a fantastic helicopter and is a real workhorse with billions of safe flying hours the world over, We would not hesitate for a second to board one, the truth is it is not as good a touring helicopter as the newer more expensive Eco-Star (EC-150). The only issue is the seating is more cramped and basic and the windows are smaller providing less panoramic views than the Eco-Star.
This is the trade-off for lower prices. We also find 5 Stars tours to be a little longer and take their time a bit more with less of a “pack-em-in” feel.
The whole operation has a slightly more budget feel to it, but we find this leads to a more personal and friendly approach, far less corporate than the big Players at McCarran.
On the whole, the offering is very similar to the big players, just a little cheaper, and rougher around the edges. But when you are soaring over the GC are you really going to notice how big the windows are?
5 Star also fly out of Boulder so make sure you know where you are flying from, Boulder is a fair drive from Vegas
Skyline Helicopter Tours
Skyline is a completely different operation from the rest. For a start, they operate Robinson R44 Helicopters. These are lightweight 4-seat aircraft (meaning everyone gets a window seat) that generally Fly lower and slower than the bigger turbojet aircraft.
They only really offer Strip tours or Red Rack Canyon tours as the GC is a pretty long flight for these smaller aircraft and the incredibly high fees the Reservation charge make it unfeasible.
With only 3 seats you are usually on your own or can ensure a private flight for only $35. They also offer Doors off flights which are one hell of a rush.
We recently flew with Skyline and they are a really nice company to fly with and their doors-off tour is incredible!
702 Helicopters
702 Helicopters is a similar operation to Skyline, offering tours in the 4-seat R44 Helicopters. Their website and operation are quite basic but the tours are fun and inexpensive.
Private Strip Tour over Las Vegas – $297.00
FlyNYON Las Vegas
FlyNYON is one of our favorite operators in North America. Their New York Doors off Tours are like nothing on earth. For the last few years, they operated Las Vegas/ Red Rock Canyon Tours but have ceased operation in the area. We will keep an eye out for their return as Covid restrictions lift and bring you more details
Safety
Helicopter tours get a bad rep in some internet travel forums and message boards. The truth is there have been crashes during some Tourist helicopter operations, and some during Las Vegas and Grand Canyon tours.
Flight operations of this nature do carry an inherent risk. We wish we could say they didn’t but the truth is a lot can go wrong and when it does the results can be disastrous.
However, the safety procedures, maintenance, and precautions put in place by the FAA and the Aircraft operators mitigate nearly every possible scenario. The chances of being involved in an accident while taking a Las Vegas Helicopter tour are infinitely slim, you are far more likely to hit a jackpot in the casino and we all know that isn’t going to happen. These operators fly hundreds of tours every day the vast majority without incident, it’s just those one-in-a-million events that attract a lot of headlines!
Fear Of Flying
Despite the amazing safety precautions and records of the operators, some people are just scared of flying. Some people are scared of heights and some are only scared of flying in small aircraft, which they often don’t know until they get to the chopper door. All the reasoning in the world will not help. These Phobias are often irrational but very real to the sufferer. You can tell someone scared of spiders, that they can’t hurt them but that does not make them any less scary.
For people with a fear of heights, Helicopters are usually fine. Height is a strange thing but to feel the fear of falling you usually have to be stood on something solid. It is strange how being in an aircraft just doesn’t affect the brain the same as being on a tall building.
If you have a real fear of flying, then this is less perception-based and more a fear of knowing what you are doing. The stress and anxiety this causes will likely make a flight very un-enjoyable.
The Helicopter Platform is actually one of the least fear-provoking methods of air travel. The aircraft’s ability to hover negates the need for the runway wind-up, this makes many nervous as the perception of speed is very real. With the helicopter ascending nearly vertically into the sky, it feels more like a floating platform than flying, it’s not certain but some who are scared of flying can be fine on a helicopter.
If you are one of those who doesn’t know your fear until you hit the door, then you have to rely on the goodwill of the companies. They will not force you into the air as a scared person on the ground getting a refund is better than a full-blown panic attack in the air.
Essentially we find unless you know you have a severe phobia of flying or are generally a very nervous person who is not keen on new experiences we think fears should not stop most people. Not overthinking things is key, focus on the jaw-dropping sights you are being rewarded with and try and forget the mechanics of what is going on. Trust in your supremely trained piolet and the incredible levels of precautions the flight operators take.
Have Your Say
Have you been on a Las Vegas helicopter tour? Let us know your thoughts, who did you fly with what tour did you take, what bits did you like, and which bits were you less excited about? Let us know what you have to say in the comments below. And if you have any questions just fire away.
I am planning on visiting Vegas after the COVID-19 pandemic starts to rest and the U.S. opens its borders like before this crysis. I’ve heard about helicopter tours in Las Vegas and got really interested in taking one. Good thing is that there are more than one helicopter tour.
I think I will take the Grand Canyon tour because this is a landmark that every tourist must see, when they are in these parts of the U.S.
Yeah, Vegas is beginning to open up and the helicopter tours are running again, we will see for how long.
The Grand Canyon is incredibly iconic and flying over and landing in the canyon really is the stuff of dreams. I hope you have a great trip when you finally decide the time is right!
Steve
Wow, this is amazing! I didn’t even about booking a Helicopter tour before now! I think I just assumed these things were too expensive!
What beautiful photos. This part of the USA is really stunning.
The photo of the Grand Canyon with the red light, beautiful. So much width and wilderness. I would rather go for that; even Las Vegas might be an interesting city.
But I love Nature, and dessert is something I only see on television. Thank you very much! That is an outstanding post. I would love to go, but I am scared of flying. But I might overcome this if I have the possibility of seeing such a beauty.
Any Tips?
Hi Sylvia,
It really is stunning and from the air even more so! We know what you mean about the Wilderness. The City is breathtaking but Mother Natures’ handiwork will always trump ours! And it doesn’t get much better than the Grand Canyon!
We often find people are less scared of flying in Helicopters than planes. The craft used are really Stable and feel like a floating platform. There is much less of the “stomach Churning” feeling that you get when a plane changes altitude and very little banking. It all just feels a bit less scary and less of a trigger to many.
Still, we are all different and phobias like this are largely in our heads (not that this makes them any less real!) so what doesn’t;t trigger one person may still freak another out.
But if you can overcome it, the view from up here is mindblowing, not something you are likely to forget in a hurry!
Steve
I am a photographer and was hesitating. I was thinking, is it really worth it to hop on a helicopter and fly over Las Vegas? But your post has encouraged me to take the tour. Besides I greatly appreciate your warning concerning these seats we should avoid. I want to have the best angles for my pics so, I won’t take those seats, not even at half price.
Hi Ann,
as a very amateur photographer it is certainly worth it to get and above the city for some very unique shots. It is very challenging photographic conditions. Low light and lots of movement and potential reflections from the glass but the shots are well worth the effort!
Thanks
Steve
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have never been to Vegas, but one day I hope to go visit… when all this has blown over. I would love to take a helicopter ride, that would be so amazing. You provided some great information to look out for in terms of choosing a helicopter ride to take. Thank you for sharing
Hi,
Hope you get to Las Vegas soon,
We too just can’t wait for the pandemic to fizzle out, the desire to get back traveling is so strong. We just can’t wait to hit the road again.
Soaring over Vegas is really one of lifes special treats and we hope you get to experience it as soon as possible
Thanks
Steve
I was invited to one of this type of tours sometime in 2018 but I kind of fell sick at the time and I couldn’t go any more. Here, what you have just shared really makes me see that it is something that I really shouldn’t have missed. I think it is truly worth it and I would definitely like to give it a swipe. Thanks!
Hi Jamie,
We have all done something similar, it just seems too much and we are not feeling great. But in hindsight, we really should have gone for it.
On the bright side if you were not feeling great you may have had a subpar experience, but now you know how awesome they are, next time, when you are fighting fir you can really make the most of it!
Thanks for reading
Steve
Answering the question in the title of this article, with what I have read, I would say: yes, the Las Vegas helicopter tours are worth it. The Las Vegas strip is very affordable and I like the fact that it is a nighttime tour. This will give the chance to see how beautiful Las Vegas is at night. Going on with either of these options is worth it.
Hi,
Great to see you think the tours are with it.
Seeing the lights of Vegas from above really does feel incredibly special, Like living the millionaire’s lifestyle for real. It is pretty amazing such a great experience can be had for such a limited outlay.
Thanks for reading
Steve
Hello there! This is an interesting post. It has been a very long time since I visited Las Vegas. My schedule got busy over the years in addition to COVID-19 that prevented me from traveling more often. Might be nice to visit Las Vegas again once the pandemic calms down some more. Riding in a helicopter was something that I never got to experience though. Reading through your post, I didn’t think there would be problem like seating. I guess to get good seats, reserving the $25 might be worthwhile then for certain trips. There are also a lot of helicopter trip plans that you provided. Going to take me some time to read more thoroughly about each one. Thanks for this information.
Hi Mike,
We hear a lot of people always want to jump on a Helicopter tour but never get around to it! We hope our guide inspires you to take the plunge as it is amazing to see the City from this perspective!
We have been away from Vegas for far too long too! Damn this Pandemic!
Hope we both get back to Vegas soon
Steve
I remember as a child they ran chopper erides at a market near me. I wanted to go on it, but we didnt have time that day, so i was promised i could go on it next week. When we got home that night, we saw on the news that it had crashed that afternoon. I never ever fancied going on one again after that. However, this does look like it would be well cool looking view around here.
Hi,
We think Helicopter Safety has vastly improved in recent decades, we can imagine this “market” helicopter attraction was pretty unregulated. Now the FAA controls operations so tightly and safety is the number 1 priority. The Uber ride to the heliport is far riskier than the flight itself!
Steve
Quite the thorough write-up of chopper tours in Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon tours and Red Rock Canyon tours certainly have piqued my interest as I love the outdoors, and it’d be interesting to see those places from a vantage point you can’t otherwise get by normal sightseeing and hiking means.
Now while I haven’t done any chopper tours in Las Vegas, I have done quite a few in the Hawaiian Islands. Back then, the chopper seating arrangements were determined by weight distribution of all participants so the lightest people tended to sit in the front. And we all know no one likes the middle back seats.
From looking at the seating chart for the LV Night Tour, it really looked like they cram you in with a 7-passenger seating arrangement not counting the pilot. I remembered it getting as crowded as 5 seats + the pilot in A-stars as well as 4-seaters in Hughes with the doors off. That was back in the 2006-2008 time frame so I’m sure things have changed since then.
Wonder if they offer any Mt Charleston, Hoover Dam, or Valley of Fire routes.
Anyways, will definitely check this out as a resource next time we have an opportunity to take flight in and around Vegas.
Thank you for this resource.
Hi Johnny, Thanks for your input.
There are routes out to Redrock canyon but nothing over Mnt Charleston or Valley of Fire. The Grand Canyon flights all head over Hoover Dam and the Bowl of Fire, which is similar to the Valley. However, Skyline Helicopters do offer private Photo Flights and these can probably be arranged to go where ever you like (within FAA Restrictions and Helicopter Range) These are Robinson r55 and offer doors off as well.
Interesting you mention Hawaii Helicopters we have just got back from Oahu and did doors off in a Hughes 500D, which was really awesome.
Yep, the Strip tours are a bit of a gamble and if you draw the short straw it’s a real letdown. Some might not care that much as you still get a decent view, but as far as photos and filming it’s a real bust.
We know the companies always claim seat assignments are done by weight but in these large expensive modern choppers it’s really not an issue as long as Weights and Balance are not grossly off. It’s just their cover for sticking people in the crappy seats. On small lighter choppers, it is still an issue.
Hope you get to Vegas Soon and get to try out a flight
Steve
I was invited to at least one of this kind of tours someday in the recent years however I reasonably busy with my works at the time and that i couldn’t go any more. Here, what you’ve got simply shared really makes me see that it’s one thing that i actually shouldn’t have missed. i believe it is actually worthwhile and that i would undoubtedly prefer to provides it a swipe. Thanks!
ahhh hard-luck Hey,
It sucks when we get to have a real opportunity like this but miss out.
Hope you get back one day and get to fly over the Strip
Steve
The Vegas helicopter tours are an amazing experience. The overview of the city and the tours out to the grand canyon are beyond incredible. Magical, worth every penny. it’s such a neat perspective and a treasured memory. I tell all my friends to include this as a must do when visiting Vegas. Great way to meet people from all over the world too.
Hi Elaine,
We totally agree, these are some of the most memorable experiences in the City
Steve
My friends rode the Maverick helicopter over the Grand Canyon and were blown away, as was the view of all of Las Vegas. Thank you for sharing such important information regarding the different flight options as well as the seats in individual helicopters. Prices are affordable for this type of service. I hope to see this part of the world soon.
Hi,
Glad your friends had a great time with Maverick Helicopters, like us.
We loved the flight and are glad you enjoyed seeing our experience, hope you get to fly soon too
Steve