Helicopter tours provide a distinctive vantage point to behold iconic landmarks and breathtaking landscapes across the United States. From the vibrant streets of New York City to the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, many helicopter tour companies offer unforgettable aerial experiences.
In this article, we’ll explore the top helicopter tour providers in the USA, detailing their locations, services, fees, and the types of helicopters they operate. Whether you seek urban panoramas or natural wonders, helicopter tours offer a thrilling and immersive way to discover the diverse beauty of the United States from an elevated perspective.
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List of Best Helicopter Tours In The USA
Here are the top 10 helicopter tours in the USA:
- Maverick Helicopters (Las Vegas, Nevada; Grand Canyon, Arizona)
- Liberty Helicopter Tours (New York City, New York)
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters (Hawaii)
- Chicago Helicopter Experience (Chicago, Illinois)
- Sundance Helicopters (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters (Las Vegas, Nevada; Grand Canyon, Arizona)
- FlyNYON (Multiple locations)
- Helicopter Tours Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California)
- Helicopter Big Island (Hawaii)
- Seattle Helitours (Seattle, Washington)
1. Maverick Helicopters (Las Vegas, Nevada; Grand Canyon, Arizona)
Maverick Helicopters offers a range of helicopter tours, including flights over the Las Vegas Strip, the Grand Canyon, and other stunning locations in the Southwest.
Locations: Las Vegas, Nevada; Grand Canyon, Arizona
Fees: Vary based on the tour package
Types of Choppers: Airbus Helicopter EC130s and H130s
Tours: Offers tours over Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, and Maui, Hawaii.
Maverick Helicopters is a leading provider of helicopter tours in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and beyond. Renowned for its diverse offerings, including landing tours, sunset tours, and express tours, Maverick is a top choice for aerial excursions in the area.
Among their popular tours are the Vegas Views, offering a thrilling flight over Las Vegas starting from $109, the Wind Dancer, Maverick’s premier Grand Canyon landing tour featuring a return flight over the Las Vegas Strip starting from $599, and the Canyon Spirit, an ultimate Grand Canyon aerial adventure departing from the South Rim starting from $399. Maverick Helicopters guarantees an unforgettable experience for all its passengers.
2. Liberty Helicopter Tours (New York City, New York)
Liberty Helicopter Tours provides unforgettable aerial views of New York City, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Manhattan skyline, and more.
Location: New York City, New York
Fees: Depending on the selected tour
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Provides helicopter tours over New York City’s iconic landmarks.
Liberty Helicopters, also known as Liberty, The Helicopter Company, stands as the premier and most experienced helicopter tour service in the Northeast. Offering tours of New York City and its surroundings, Liberty provides a unique aerial view of the city’s iconic landmarks. Departing from various heliports across the city, Liberty offers a range of tour options to accommodate different interests and budgets.
Among the most popular is the Liberty Tour, which showcases renowned landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, and Central Park. Other notable sights include the Chrysler Building, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and Wall Street. While Liberty Helicopter Tours may be priced higher, they promise an unforgettable perspective of New York City’s skyline and attractions.
3. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters (Hawaii)
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters operates tours on several islands, offering panoramic views of volcanoes, waterfalls, lush rainforests, and coastal landscapes.
Location: Hawaii
Fees: Vary by tour
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Offers scenic helicopter tours over the beautiful landscapes of Hawaii.
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offers scenic flights over Hawaii’s captivating landscapes, including the lush rainforests of Kauai, the volcanic wonders of the Big Island, and the dramatic cliffs of Maui.
Established in 1985, they are a reputable helicopter tour company serving all four major islands: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters prioritizes safety, having received numerous awards from the FAA for their maintenance and safety record. They are also recognized for their commitment to customer service, with knowledgeable pilots ensuring a memorable experience for passengers.
Operating modern helicopters like the Airbus A-Star AS350 B2 and Eurocopter/Airbus EC-130 Eco-Stars, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters provides smooth rides and excellent visibility, further enhancing the tour experience.
4. Chicago Helicopter Experience (Chicago, Illinois)
Chicago Helicopter Experience provides helicopter tours over the Windy City, showcasing iconic landmarks such as the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan shoreline.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Fees: Available on request
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Provides helicopter tours showcasing the stunning views of Chicago.
Enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Chicago’s iconic skyline and landmarks with a helicopter tour. Soar above the Windy City and take in unparalleled views of Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, the Magnificent Mile, and more.
In addition to standard tours, the company also offers specialized experiences, such as private charters for events like weddings or corporate outings. It has become a popular attraction for tourists visiting Chicago who want to see the city from a unique vantage point.
5. Sundance Helicopters (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Sundance Helicopters offers helicopter tours of the Las Vegas Strip, the Grand Canyon, and other scenic locations in the Southwest.
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Fees: Depending on the chosen tour
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Offers helicopter tours over Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
Sundance Helicopters is a renowned tour operator specializing in Grand Canyon excursions from Las Vegas, offering both aerial sightseeing and landing experiences. Established in 1985, the company boasts extensive experience, having flown over 4 million passengers to the Grand Canyon.
Sundance provides a diverse range of tours, including narrated Grand Canyon flights, some featuring landings on the canyon floor, as well as scenic flights over the Las Vegas Strip. Their modern fleet includes helicopters like the EC-130 Ecostar for spaciousness and the A-Star for affordability.
Emphasizing safety, Sundance maintains a strong safety record and prioritizes customer well-being. Overall, Sundance Helicopters is a reputable company with a rich history of delivering unforgettable helicopter tours tailored to various preferences and budgets.
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6. Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters (Las Vegas, Nevada; Grand Canyon, Arizona)
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters provides a variety of tours over the Grand Canyon, including flights from Las Vegas and tours of the West Rim and South Rim.
Locations: Las Vegas, Nevada; Grand Canyon, Arizona
Fees: Vary based on the tour selected
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Provides helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters stands as a leading and highly experienced tour company in the Grand Canyon region, boasting a rich history dating back to 1965. Renowned for its commitment to safety and exceptional service, Papillon offers a diverse array of helicopter tour options catering to various preferences and interests.
Operating from multiple locations, including Las Vegas, Boulder City, and various points within the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas, Papillon’s tours encompass sightseeing flights, exclusive champagne landings, and combo tours featuring additional adventures such as rafting or Hummer excursions.
For those considering a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters emerges as a compelling choice, offering unforgettable adventures and unique experiences. To learn more about their tours and book your adventure, visit their website or contact them directly for further details.
7. FlyNYON (Multiple locations)
FlyNYON offers doors-off helicopter experiences in various cities across the USA, including New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco, allowing passengers to capture stunning aerial photographs.
Locations: Multiple locations
Fees: Depending on the tour package
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Offers helicopter tours in various locations.
FlyNYON offers unique door-off helicopter experiences in several major cities across the USA, including New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles. Passengers have the opportunity to capture stunning aerial photographs of urban landscapes, creating lasting memories.
In New York City, FlyNYON provides the ultimate helicopter photo experience, allowing passengers to soar above Manhattan’s skyscrapers and capture panoramic views of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the World Trade Center.
FlyNYON operates in other exciting locations such as Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, offering open-door helicopter rides perfect for capturing stunning aerial photographs.
8. Los Angeles Helicopter Tours (Los Angeles, California)
This company offers helicopter tours over Los Angeles, providing panoramic views of landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and celebrity homes in Beverly Hills.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Fees: Available upon inquiry
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Provides helicopter tours over Los Angeles and its surroundings.
Helicopter Tours Los Angeles offers panoramic flights over the iconic landmarks of LA, such as the Hollywood Sign, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica Pier. Their luxurious helicopters provide comfort and style, ensuring an unforgettable experience for guests.
Los Angeles Helicopter Tours offers a variety of tours, ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Prices start at $219 per person. They have a perfect safety record, and their helicopters are flown by experienced FAA commercial-rated pilots.
9. Helicopter Big Island (Hawaii)
Helicopter Big Island offers tours over the Big Island of Hawaii, showcasing its diverse landscapes, including volcanic terrain, lush rainforests, and stunning coastline.
Location: Hawaii
Fees: Vary by tour
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Offers helicopter tours over the Big Island of Hawaii.
Embark on captivating helicopter tours to marvel at the awe-inspiring beauty of the Big Island of Hawaii from a unique aerial perspective. With diverse landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and the ever-active Kilauea volcano, the island promises a mesmerizing experience.
Tours such as the Big Island Spectacular, Circle of Fire, Kohala Coast Adventure, and NEW! Pele’s Creation offers remarkable opportunities to witness the island’s natural wonders up close. Prices start from $399.00, varying depending on the tour selected. Experience the raw power of volcanic activity and explore the captivating landscapes of Hawaii from the skies on these unforgettable journeys.
10. Seattle Helitours (Seattle, Washington)
Seattle Helitours provides helicopter tours of Seattle and the surrounding area, offering views of the Space Needle, Puget Sound, and the city skyline.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Fees: Depending on the tour selected
Types of Choppers: Not specified
Tours: Provides helicopter tours showcasing the beauty of Seattle and its surroundings.
Seattle Helitours offers scenic flights over the Emerald City and its surrounding natural wonders, including Mount Rainier and Puget Sound. Visitors can enjoy bird’s-eye views of Seattle’s skyline and waterfront, accompanied by informative narration from experienced pilots.
Seattle Helitours offers a range of helicopter tours showcasing Seattle’s landmarks and surrounding regions. Options include the Classic Tour, which highlights iconic sites like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, and the Deluxe Tour, which extends to the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier. Custom tours are also available. Departing from Auburn Municipal Airport, prices start at approximately $135 per person, offering a unique and unforgettable way to experience Seattle.
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Conclusion
Helicopter tours in the USA offer a unique and unforgettable way to explore the country’s most iconic destinations. From the dazzling lights of Las Vegas to the majestic Grand Canyon and the lush landscapes of Hawaii, these top 10 helicopter tour services provide an unparalleled perspective of the United States’ diverse beauty.
Before booking a helicopter tour, it’s essential to check the company’s safety record, customer reviews, and tour options to ensure you have a memorable and enjoyable experience. Additionally, consider factors such as weather conditions and pricing when planning your helicopter tour adventure.
FAQs
How Much Do Helicopter Tours Cost?
Prices for helicopter tours vary depending on the duration, location, and services included. Generally, expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 or more per person for a standard tour.
Are Helicopter Tours Safe?
Helicopter tour companies adhere to strict safety regulations and employ experienced pilots to ensure the safety of passengers. While helicopter flights are generally considered safe, it’s essential to follow all instructions provided by the crew and wear any necessary safety equipment.
What Should I Wear for a Helicopter Tour?
Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for the weather conditions at the time of your tour. Avoid loose items that could fly away in the wind, and consider bringing a light jacket or sweater for cooler temperatures at higher altitudes.
Can I Bring a Camera on a Helicopter Tour?
Yes, most helicopter tour companies allow passengers to bring cameras or smartphones to capture photos and videos during the flight. However, be sure to secure your device with a strap or wristband to prevent it from being dropped during the tour.
Are Helicopter Tours Wheelchair Accessible?
Wheelchair accessibility varies depending on the helicopter tour company and the type of aircraft used. Some companies may offer accessible options for passengers with mobility impairments, so it’s best to inquire in advance if you have specific accessibility needs.
