Summary of This Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Tour
5 Star Helicopters offers a complete aerial experience over the Las Vegas Strip, with this video documenting the full 12-minute journey from ground briefing through landing. The tour departs from a Vegas airfield and follows a carefully planned route down the Strip, around the downtown Fremont Street area, and back—all while you sit in a glass-cockpit helicopter with unobstructed views. This is a hands-on adventure with real operational details you need to know before boarding.
The experience suits anyone seeking a unique perspective on Las Vegas's iconic landmarks without requiring previous flying experience or special fitness level. Whether you're a first-time visitor wanting to see the whole city at once or a photography enthusiast chasing aerial shots, this tour delivers both thrills and sight-seeing in one compact outing.
Key Moments
What You'll See on This Vegas Strip Flight
- The Stratosphere tower as you initially head north on Las Vegas Boulevard
- A dramatic hard left bank and dive around downtown Fremont Street
- The MGM Grand Casino and a tight banking maneuver between it and the Tropicana Boulevard area
- Takeoff and landing sequences from a working airfield with running helicopter blades
- Multiple casinos and the full Strip layout from an altitude that lets you see happy hour specials signage

Key Details Before You Book Your Helicopter Experience
- Flight conditions matter: Wind gusts up to 25 knots are possible and will create a bumpy, thrilling ride; expect turbulence rather than smooth cruising.
- Camera flash protocol: Disable flash on all cameras and phones—the glass cockpit will reflect any flash back at you, ruining photos. Keep flash off for the best shots.
- Boarding and exiting are active: You'll walk to running helicopters with spinning blades and board via a narrow four-inch-wide rail under the fuselage; ground crew assist is available and encouraged.
- Secure loose items: The rotor wash is powerful enough to blow away eyelashes, hats, and small personal items; secure anything you don't want to lose.
- Headsets and communication: You'll wear headsets with a boom microphone, and everything you say is live—the entire group hears you.
- Ground ramp rules: Airport security prohibits photos and video on the tarmac before and after flight; phones and cameras must stay down while on the ground.
Common Questions About 5 Star Helicopters Las Vegas
How long is the actual flight time?
The video shows a 12-minute complete experience from briefing to departure and landing. The actual airtime follows a set route: north to the Stratosphere, down to Fremont Street, a hard left bank around downtown, back toward the Strip, and a dive-and-bank maneuver past the MGM Grand before returning to the airfield.
What if I feel sick during the flight?
The pilot mentions that motion sickness can happen, especially with the turbulent wind conditions shown in this video. Souvenir bags are provided for back-seat passengers (directly in front of you) and front-seat passengers (off to your right at the ankle). The crew takes this seriously and has backup supplies if needed.
Do I need any special clothing or gear?
The video doesn't specify a dress code, but you should wear secure, closed-toe shoes given the narrow rail boarding step and the windy conditions around running helicopter blades. Avoid loose items like hats, scarves, or lightweight accessories that rotor wash could carry away. Sunglasses are a good idea for the glare off glass and city surfaces.
Can I take photos and videos in flight?
Yes—the pilot explicitly encourages passengers to record the flight and stick cameras out the window to capture the experience. Just remember to turn flash off completely, as it will reflect off the glass cockpit and ruin your shot. Once airborne, photos and video are not only allowed but recommended.
What happens if the weather is too bad to fly?
The video captures a flight in 25-knot crosswind conditions, which the pilot notes as bumpy and thrilling but flyable. The video does not detail cancellation policies, so you should confirm with 5 Star Helicopters directly about their wind limits and how they handle reschedules due to weather.



