Are Las Vegas helicopter tours worth the money? — featuring vVARIETY with Dylan (Skyline Helicopter Tours Papillon Helicopter Tours)

In this video: Las Vegas Helicopter Tours: Two For One Review!

vVARIETY with Dylan · 3 months ago

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Is this a good first helicopter experience?

Yes, absolutely. Dylan mentions this is his first time on a helicopter, and he describes the Skyline doors-off flight as "magical and one of the coolest experiences of my life." Even the Papillon tour was still fun, though less memorable due to seating and view constraints.

At a glance

Length
11 min
Channel
vVARIETY with Dylan
Video from
May 2026
Rating
⭐⭐ Great video · 2/2
Best for
First-time helicopter tour bookers deciding between Las Vegas operators

What this video answers

  • Is this a good first helicopter experience?
  • How long does a helicopter tour last?
  • Can I choose my seat on the helicopter?
  • Which tour operator is better overall?
  • What should I wear for a helicopter tour?
Reads the guide aloud in your browser — free, no account.

What to Expect from Las Vegas Helicopter Tours: Two Operators Compared

Dylan from vVARIETY took two different helicopter tour operators in Las Vegas to give you an honest comparison: Skyline Helicopter Tours and Papillon Helicopter Tours. Both fly over the glowing Strip and surrounding landmarks, but they offer very different experiences. This video is perfect if you're trying to decide which operator to book, or if you're wondering whether a helicopter tour of Vegas is worth your time and money at all.

The tours depart from different locations—Skyline operates from North Las Vegas Airport, while Papillon is conveniently based at the bottom of the Strip with shuttle access. Whether you're a first-time flyer looking for the most thrilling angle, or someone who prefers comfort and professionalism, this side-by-side review reveals what each company does well and where they fall short.

Key Moments

Key Sights and Moments from the Aerial Tour

  • Doors-off helicopter flight with Skyline—the small aircraft allows unobstructed views and an open-air experience that feels like truly flying.
  • Close views of the Stratosphere and surrounding downtown Las Vegas landmarks from above.
  • 360-degree panorama of the glowing Las Vegas Strip at night, showing why the city looks so different from the air.
  • Comparison of helicopter cabin designs—Skyline's smaller fuselage and bigger windows versus Papillon's larger, wider aircraft.
  • Honest pilot interaction and crew professionalism at both tour companies.
  • Dylan's real-time reaction to the experience and immediate post-flight feedback.
Featured image for the guide to Las Vegas Helicopter Tours: Two For One Review! by vVARIETY with Dylan

Practical Details Before Booking Your Las Vegas Helicopter Tour

  • Camera restrictions: Skyline allows cell phones in a plastic pouch but prohibits loose cameras; Papillon has strict filming rules and requires phones to be kept secured around your neck.
  • Weight limits: Skyline's smaller helicopter has stricter weight restrictions than Papillon's larger aircraft—confirm your eligibility when booking.
  • Seating assignments: Skyline offers more control over seat placement and can accommodate special requests; Papillon seats passengers by availability and may pair you with strangers, making front-seat requests difficult to guarantee.
  • Tour flexibility: Skyline pilots are more personable and willing to work with your preferences; Papillon operates on a tight schedule with less room for accommodation.
  • Doors-off option: Only Skyline offers this in the video; confirm availability and any extra cost when researching other operators.
  • Accessibility: Papillon's Strip-adjacent location and shuttle service make it easier to reach; Skyline requires travel to North Las Vegas Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions About Las Vegas Helicopter Tours

Is this a good first helicopter experience?

Yes, absolutely. Dylan mentions this is his first time on a helicopter, and he describes the Skyline doors-off flight as "magical and one of the coolest experiences of my life." Even the Papillon tour was still fun, though less memorable due to seating and view constraints.

How long does a helicopter tour last?

The video doesn't specify the exact duration of either tour, only that they fly around the Strip, the Stratosphere, and surrounding areas. Contact Skyline and Papillon directly for flight duration, as this varies by package.

Can I choose my seat on the helicopter?

It depends on the operator. Skyline is flexible and accommodating with seating requests, allowing front-seat placement. Papillon, however, seats passengers by availability and will not guarantee your preference even if you request it during booking—Dylan was unable to secure a front seat despite asking multiple times.

Which tour operator is better overall?

Dylan strongly recommends Skyline Helicopter Tours and says he would "choose the Skyline Tour 10 out of 10 times" unless you have a large group that needs the bigger Papillon helicopter or feel safer in larger aircraft. Skyline offers the best views, more personal service, and the doors-off option, while Papillon felt like "a waste of money" to Dylan due to restrictive seating and a rushed experience.

What should I wear for a helicopter tour?

The video doesn't provide specific dress recommendations, but Dylan wears casual clothing and mentions tight safety protocols. Wear secure, comfortable clothes and avoid loose items that could blow away or obstruct doors-off shots. Check with your operator for any dress code or safety guidelines.

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Key Terms

Doors off
A helicopter tour option where the aircraft doors are removed during flight to allow unobstructed aerial photography and an open-air experience.
Fuselage
The main body structure of an aircraft or helicopter that holds passengers and cargo.
Weight limit
The maximum total weight a helicopter can carry, which affects how many passengers can fly and their combined body weight.
Stratosphere
A tall observation tower and casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip that serves as a recognizable landmark visible from the air.

Sources: Doors off · Fuselage · Weight limit · Stratosphere — definitions cross-referenced with Wikipedia

Justin’s Take

This video is genuinely helpful because it's a direct comparison from someone who paid for both experiences on the same trip, giving you real-world insights into which operator will actually deliver what you want. Dylan doesn't sugarcoat—he's honest about his disappointment with Papillon and enthusiastic about Skyline, so you know his preferences are based on actual experience, not marketing.

What makes this video stand out is Dylan's willingness to say the quiet part aloud: that seating matters as much as the helicopter itself, that inflexible operators aren't worth the money, and that a helicopter tour of Las Vegas is absolutely worth doing—just pick the right company. Highly recommended for anyone narrowing down which tour to book.

Great video · 2 out of 2

Justin
Justin

Years on the front lines of helicopter tour coordination — not as a travel blogger, but as the person responsible for making every guest experience go right. Managed 2,000+ cruise guests weekly as Shore Excursions staff aboard the Pride of America in Hawaii Personally coordinated with helicopter tour operators to confirm age, weight, and safety requirements.

Video by vVARIETY with Dylan on YouTube. If you enjoyed it, please subscribe to their channel and show your support for the great video.

Description

Took a couple helicopter tours over the glowing city of Las Vegas, around the strip, around the Stratosphere and more. Took two different tours, so this is my little review or whatever.

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vVARIETY aka The Somethin' Or Other Tour [SOOT.tv] is an adventure and tour web series that explores and experiences all sorts of things life has to offer. A little adventure, a little silly, a little this and a little that. From abandoned places to stadium tours to odd museums, we love to explore it all! Subscribe to us for NFL games to urban exploring abandoned places!

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Video transcript for “Las Vegas Helicopter Tours: Two For One Review!” Accessibility

A full written transcript of this video, provided for accessibility. Select any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.

[music] >> I decided to do two different helicopter tours in Las Vegas. One with Skyline Helicopter Tours and one with Papillon Helicopter Tours. I'll give you my honest opinion and a quick review at the end. Taking a helicopter flight around Vegas. >> [music] >> Welcome to Variety.

>> [music] >> Welcome to Variety. We're here in Las Vegas. We're [music] outside Skyline Helicopter Tours. There's so many different helicopter tours in Vegas

[music] to choose from. I chose Skyline simply because they have a doors off option. Who doesn't want to do that? I'm sure they're all pretty similar. This takes off from the North [music] Las Vegas Airport. This is my first time on a helicopter. I'm so excited. >> Wait, am I going? Did you get me a

ticket? >> No, I didn't. Why not? You're [music] in suffer. Me? Let's get in there. Let's take [music] off. Deuces Las Vegas, baby. You know what I mean? I mean, we're talking choppers here. We're talking choppers. >> [music] >> Keep your little feetsies on the ground, huh? Yeah, I'll keep my little feetsies

right up your derrière, dude. Always wanted to do a helicopter tour Vegas. And here we are. I decided to do doors off. [music] It's going to be fun. >> [music]

[music] >> All right, you [music] got to be super close.

>> Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You got to go. You got to go. Yeah, yeah. >> [music] [music]

[music] [music] >> There we go.

>> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]

[music] [music] [music]

[music] [music] [music] [music]

[music] [music] [music]

[music] [music] [music]

>> Me and Dante at our second >> [laughter] >> helicopter spot. I I'm trying to check them all off, you know? Waiting for the second experience. So, you guys get a twofer in this video. Will we be okay? Hell yeah, we will. Let's do this.

>> [music]

[music] [music] [music]

[music] [music]

>> What do you think? This was It was wild. So it doesn't feel real, huh? Nah, that's just crazy. It's like you're in a simulator. I can see it. Yo. Appreciate the paint job.

Thanks, man. Appreciate it. >> [music] >> Here's a breakdown of my experience. Skyline Helicopter Tours pros, doors off, which is amazing. It felt like really flying. Smaller helicopter with better more open views. It was a cheaper [music] tour. It's more personal. My pilot was awesome and all the employees

were personable. [music] And it's a better view from the helicopter with bigger windows and doors off, of course, even more special. The cons were the helicopter is smaller, [music] which can be a pro or con depending on how you look at it and your preference. No loose cameras were allowed, so I had to film

all of this on my cell phone in a plastic pouch. And the smaller helicopters [music] mean there's a stricter weight limit. At Papillon Helicopter Tour pros, very professional operation. [music] You feel like you're in safe hands. Lots of times and options to choose from. Very nice helicopters. And it's easy

access right at the bottom of the strip with shuttles available. Now, the cons would be less accommodating for any special [music] requests. You have to do it by their parameters. You may be seated with strangers since there's more seating in these helicopters. There's cramped views in these bigger

helicopters with a bigger wider fuselage. [music] And it's also very rushed as they're sticking to a tight schedule. Overall, I will say this. Skyline Tour was magical and one of the coolest experiences of [music] my life. Papillon Helicopter Tours felt like a waste of money. It was still fun, but way less

so. [music] First of all, I requested a front seat, which they would not accommodate, even though that was an option when I ordered my tickets. [music] I nearly begged to wait as long as I needed for another helicopter, pay extra, whatever I could do, but they would not allow me to wait or [music]

change anything. I had to just accept being stuck in a middle back row seat with a family of strangers taking the rest of the seats. If I knew that was the case, I would [music] have just saved my money. So, unless you have a bigger group that needs the bigger helicopter or you feel safer in the

bigger helicopter, I would choose the Skyline Tour 10 [music] out of 10 times. But, either way, I highly recommend taking a helicopter tour of Las Vegas. The glow of the city from a above is something that will stick with you for a long time. It was absolutely [music] amazing. That was so much fun going around the

stratosphere and all that. That's It's so cool. It's very strict. You can't really film a lot. You have to keep your phone around your neck. So, I'm sorry this video was very simple [music] and short. That's just how it goes. Safety first. But, shout out Skyline Vegas. Shout out Doug, my pilot.

He was awesome. Yeah, definitely obviously wish I could have filmed [music] more and and with my other camera and all that, but I couldn't. But, I just at least wanted to take you guys with me while we did that cuz that [music] was That was awesome. Honestly, that was just an absolute thrill. I

didn't want to come down. I wanted to stay up there. So, I highly recommend coming to Skyline Helicopter Tours here in Las Vegas. Like, subscribe, share, do all the cool things the cool kids do. Something or other tour is now variety. Vert life. Vert life. [music] For real, for real. Real deal.

>> [music] >> And you know I had to wear the black forces cuz I'm coming for everything I'm owed. Okay? PJs. No drone zone. Come on. We chose Well, I chose. >> [laughter] >> It was fun? It was fun. Yeah, it was fun. It was fun. Yeah. I'm scared.

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