Hey it's Keith Kravitz and this is Helicopter Weekend Update!
With Thanksgiving (and Black Friday) behind us, it's time to plan for Christmas and New Year's.
Keep this in mind: We are closed Christmas Day, Dec. 25. That means no tours. Then it's business as usual Dec. 26 onward.
Christmas holiday week is super busy. Used to be everyone stayed home. But for the past 5 years, the trend has been people packing up and doing Las Vegas, Sedona, Flagstaff and the South Rim.
Knowing this, make absolutely sure to RSVP in order to get the best flights at the lowest prices. I can't over-emphasize this, especially if you're doing a tour out of Vegas because you have a ton of conventions in town.
New Year's Eve is always a wild ride. We've been taking bookings for the end of the year since June 2018. And remember: the Vegas Strip shuts down for fireworks so factor that in as you go to and from the heliport or really anywhere for that matter.
Got a question from a reader: "Looks like a 40% chance of rain the day we fly. If the flight gets cancelled, do I get a refund?" Go here for more info about our cancel policy.
Las Vegas, NV
The most popular tour at this time is the Champagne helicopter package. I don't expect that to change. Especially consider how good of a value it is. The basic bottom-landing trip includes 30-minutes at the base, a picnic, and free hotel transfers.
There's a deluxe Champagne picnic, too. Personally, I think this is the better value but it costs more than the basic. What makes it so special? First, it comes with a Vegas Strip flyover (top to bottom). Second, it includes free hotel transfers by limousine.
Then there's the air-only (no-landing) tour. This is a grea toption if you have limited time or limited budget. It flies over all the key landmarks and sights. If you want to super-size it, go with the deluxe
air-only, which adds on a Vegas Strip flyover and limo transfers.
It's also perfect weather for the 4-in-1 Mega tour! This is the one that goes top, bottom, boat and Skywalk. You do all this in 7 hours. If there's one tour where you can say, "Been there, done that," this is it. I find the descent to the bottom and the ascent to the top to be mind-blowingly fun.
Weight Limits
There are no weight limits on helicopter tours. Just weight surcharges, and they kick in on any guest who weighs more than 300 lbs. Further, the weight surcharge only applies to Las Vegas departures. There is no weight surcharge at the South Rim. Relatedly, there's a weight surcharge of $100 if you take a plane tour from Las Vegas. Read more...
South Rim/Tusayan, AZ
Because the weather should be turning the corner and getting super awesome, consider trying one of our special helicopter and jeep combos. In a nutshell, the most popular one includes a 30-minute helicopter ride combined with a 2-hour Jeep tour inside the Park. Frankly, this air-ground tour is the ultimate way to experience South Rim...if it's still available. Go here for prices and availability.
(I also have a 50-minute helicopter + 2-hr. Jeep tour but it's super limited and only available over the phone. If you want it, call me at 702-530-8687. Ask for Keith).
Then there's the 50-minute deluxe flyover (South Rim helicopters do not fly below the rim and land. That's only available from Las Vegas). This is the best all-air tour on the planet. Covers South Rim, East Rim and North Rim in one package. By the time you've done it, you'll have seen up to 75 percent of the Park!
NEED A TOUR?
Reply back to this message if you need to buy a tour by telling me:
*From Las Vegas or South Rim?
*Day and month you want to do a tour
*The kind of tour you want
I reply to EVERY email.
Have a great day!
