How much do helicopter rides cost in Las Vegas? — featuring Carmen Van Kerckhove (Sundance Helicopters)

In this video: Spectacular Night Helicopter Rides in Las Vegas by Sundance Helicopters

Carmen Van Kerckhove · 10 years ago

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How long is the actual flight time?

The video does not specify the exact duration of the airborne portion, though the full experience includes transportation time and check-in at the pre-flight lounge. Contact Sundance Helicopters directly for precise flight length.

At a glance

Length
4 min
Channel
Carmen Van Kerckhove
Video from
Apr 2016
Rating
⭐⭐ Great video · 2/2
Best for
Travelers seeking a unique nighttime view of the Las Vegas Strip and a polished, stress-free aerial experience

What this video answers

  • How long is the actual flight time?
  • What other tours does Sundance offer besides the City Lights Tour?
  • Is this experience suitable for children?
  • Do I need to bring anything special for a night helicopter flight?
  • How is the pilot's narration delivered during the flight?
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What to Expect from Sundance Helicopters' City Lights Night Tour

Sundance Helicopters offers a spectacular way to experience Las Vegas from the air—specifically, their City Lights Tour showcases the glittering Strip after dark. The video follows a family's evening flight that departs from the operator's pre-flight lounge on the Strip, includes complimentary transportation via stretch limousine, and provides an up-close aerial view of iconic landmarks illuminated against the night sky. This experience is ideal for travelers seeking a unique perspective on Las Vegas's most famous attractions without committing to a full day of touring, or for those marking a special occasion with something genuinely memorable.

The tour suits both adult travelers and families, though it's worth noting that the video reviewer emphasizes planning ahead for photography if you want quality images. The entire experience—from pickup to return—runs smoothly and professionally, with guides who share interesting historical context about each landmark you pass overhead. If you're considering a helicopter tour in Las Vegas, this nighttime option offers a decidedly different vibe than daytime sightseeing, with the glowing skyline as your backdrop.

Key Moments

Highlights of the City Lights Flight

  • Bird's-eye view of the Bellagio fountains illuminated at night
  • Aerial perspective of the Stratosphere Tower and its surrounding cityscape
  • The distinctive beam of light atop the Luxor pyramid
  • New York-New York's skyline replica seen from above
  • Historic commentary from your pilot about Las Vegas landmarks and their origins
  • Smooth, stable flight experience with in-headset narration and relaxing music
Featured image for the guide to Spectacular Night Helicopter Rides in Las Vegas by Sundance Helicopters by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Planning Your Night Helicopter Ride: Practical Details

  • Transportation: Free pickup and drop-off from most Las Vegas Strip hotels in a shared stretch limousine
  • Pre-flight experience: Arrive at a spacious lounge (25-foot ceilings, gift shop, comfortable seating) where complimentary sparkling wine is served before boarding
  • Aircraft: Six-passenger helicopters, which offer more comfort and space than competitors' seven-passenger models
  • Seating strategy: Request seats 1 and 2 (front row next to the pilot) for the best views; these are the most coveted positions
  • Bring cash: Tip your pilot ($20 per person recommended) and limo driver ($5 per party) in cash
  • Photography: If you want quality photos or video, bring a DSLR camera and research camera settings in advance—smartphone cameras struggle with window reflections, vibration, and cabin noise
  • Weather/conditions: Night flights operate weather permitting; check with Sundance about seasonal scheduling

Common Questions About Sundance Helicopters' City Lights Tour

How long is the actual flight time?

The video does not specify the exact duration of the airborne portion, though the full experience includes transportation time and check-in at the pre-flight lounge. Contact Sundance Helicopters directly for precise flight length.

What other tours does Sundance offer besides the City Lights Tour?

The video mentions daytime tours of the Las Vegas Strip and multi-hour flights to the Grand Canyon by helicopter, giving you options beyond the nighttime city tour.

Is this experience suitable for children?

The video shows families taking the tour, and the smooth flight motion and organized process suggest it's family-friendly. However, confirm any age or height restrictions with Sundance when booking.

Do I need to bring anything special for a night helicopter flight?

Bring cash for tipping, a DSLR camera if you plan to photograph the views seriously, and dress for cool evening air at altitude. The video reviewer filmed on an iPhone but noted that better equipment yields superior results.

How is the pilot's narration delivered during the flight?

You wear a headset throughout the flight, through which you'll hear your pilot's commentary about landmarks, historical facts, and interesting details about Las Vegas attractions. The video notes that relaxing music accompanies the narration.

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Key Terms

City Lights Tour
Sundance Helicopters' evening flight tour that circles the illuminated Las Vegas Strip and its major attractions.
Pre-flight lounge
The check-in and waiting area at Sundance's facility where passengers receive complimentary beverages before boarding.
Six-passenger helicopter
Aircraft that seats six people, offering more personal space and comfort than competitors' seven-passenger models.
Bird's-eye view
A perspective or photograph taken from directly above, as if seen by a flying bird—in this case, from the helicopter.

Sources: City Lights Tour · Pre-flight lounge · Six-passenger helicopter · Bird's-eye view — definitions cross-referenced with Wikipedia

Justin’s Take

This video is genuinely helpful because it walks you through the entire experience from pickup to landing, giving you realistic expectations about what the tour involves. The reviewer is honest about challenges (like how difficult it is to capture good photos from a helicopter) and shares concrete, actionable insider tips that actually improve your experience—particularly the advice to request the front seats and the specific tipping amounts to bring.

What impressed me most was how the video emphasizes the quality-of-life details: the spacious lounge, the smooth flight, and the pilot's engaging narration. Those touches transform this from a mere thrill ride into a well-curated evening. If you're looking to book a special night activity in Las Vegas and want a preview of exactly what you're getting, this tour absolutely delivers, and I'd recommend booking soon since premium seats and time slots do fill up.

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 Carmen Van Kerckhove on YouTube. If you enjoyed it, please subscribe to their channel and show your support for the great video.

Description

Have you always been interested in helicopter rides in Las Vegas? Then check out Sundance Helicopters in Las Vegas.

In this video, I'll share with you our experience taking the City Lights Tour with Sundance Helicopters.

And be sure to stay till the end, because I'll be giving you 3 insider tips that will make your experience the best that it can be.

By the way if you'd like to get a free copy of the Top Flight Family Guide to Kid-Friendly Las Vegas, just click here or go to http://topflightfamily.com/vegas.

Like many attractions in Las Vegas, Sundance Helicopters (https://www.sundancehelicopters.com) provides free transportation from most hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.

They picked us up in a stretch limo, which we shared with a few other families.

When we arrived at the pre flight lounge, we checked in and enjoyed some complimentary sparkling wine.

The lounge itself is a lovely facility, with 25-ft ceilings, a gift shop, and lots of seating room.

When our helicopter was ready, they called us out and directed us toward the one we'd be flying in. The whole process was very smooth and organized.

In our headset, we could hear some relaxing music, which was a nice accompaniment to the beautiful views.

And our pilot, whose name was Nobu, pointed out some of the major landmarks, and gave us interesting tidbits on the history of Vegas's biggest attractions, including the Stratosphere Tower, Caesars Palace, the Bellagio fountains, the skyline of New York-New York, and the beam on top of the Luxor pyramid.

The helicopter was so smooth that if it wasn't for the stunning birds-eye view we were getting of the Las Vegas Strip, it wouldn't even have felt like we were flying.

If nighttime helicopter rides in Las Vegas aren't really your thing, be sure to check out the other tours that Sundance offers. You can take a daytime tour of the Strip, or even fly out to the Grand Canyon by helicopter. You're bound to find an experience that your whole family will enjoy.

Here are a few insider tips to make your experience the best that it can be.

Insider Tip 1:
Ask for seats 1 and 2

One thing that sets Sunrise Helicopters apart is that it equips its helicopters with 6 passenger seats. This provides extra comfort and exceptional views from every seat, unlike the 7-passenger setup that many other companies use for their helicopter rides in Las Vegas. That said, the two seats with the best views are the ones right in the front, next to the pilot. Those are seats 1 and 2, and I'd recommend that when you book your tour, you request those two seats.

Insider Tip 2:
Tip the pilot and driver

Sundance isn't the kind of cheesy place where people will demand a tip from you. But bring some cash with you, since it's a good idea to tip both the helicopter pilot and the limo driver. I'd recommend $20 per person for the pilot, and $5 per party for the driver.

Insider Tip 3:
Come with a photography plan

Taking photos or video from the helicopter is pretty challenging, since you're dealing with noise, vibration, and reflection from the windows. I filmed this video on my iPhone, and as you can see, the camera really didn't do it justice. So if you'd like to get good quality photos or video, I definitely recommend that you bring a DSLR camera instead and that you do some research ahead of time to figure out which settings will get you the best results.

If you're planning a trip to Las Vegas with your family, grab a free copy of the Top Flight Family Guide to Kid-Friendly Las Vegas, just click here or go to http://topflightfamily.com/vegas.

helicopter rides in Las Vegas | sundance helicopters | helicopter ride las vegas | helicopter rides las vegas | las vegas strip helicopter tours | las vegas night helicopter tours

Video transcript for “Spectacular Night Helicopter Rides in Las Vegas by Sundance Helicopters” Accessibility

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

How would you like to see the Las Vegas Strip from a unique new perspective? Then check out Sundance Helicopters in Las Vegas. In this video, I'll share with you our experience taking the City Lights Tour with Sundance Helicopters. And be sure to stay till the end, because I'll be giving you 3 insider tips that will

make your experience the best that it can be. By the way if you'd like to get a free copy of the Top Flight Family Guide to Kid-Friendly Las Vegas, just click here or go to topflightfamily.com/vegas. Like many attractions in Las Vegas, Sundance Helicopters provides free transportation from

most hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. They picked us up in a stretch limo, which we shared with a few other families. When we arrived at the pre flight lounge, we checked in and enjoyed some complimentary sparkling wine. The lounge itself is a lovely facility, with 25-ft ceilings, a gift shop, and lots of seating

room. When our helicopter was ready, they called us out and directed us toward the one we'd be flying in. The whole process was very smooth and organized. In our headset, we could hear some relaxing music, which was a nice accompaniment to the beautiful views. And our pilot, whose name was Nobu, pointed out some of the major landmarks, and gave

us interesting tidbits on the history of Vegas's biggest attractions, including the Stratosphere Tower, Caesars Palace, the Bellagio fountains, the skyline of New York-New York, and the beam on top of the Luxor pyramid. The helicopter was so smooth that if it wasn't for the stunning birds-eye view we were getting

of the Las Vegas Strip, it wouldn't even have felt like we were flying. If a night-time flight like this isn't really your thing, be sure to check out the other tours that Sundance offers. You can take a daytime tour of the Strip, or even fly out to the Grand Canyon by helicopter.

You're bound to find an experience that your whole family will enjoy. Here are a few insider tips to make your experience the best that it can be. Insider Tip 1: Ask for seats 1 and 2 One thing that sets Sunrise Helicopters apart is that it equips its helicopters with 6 passenger

seats. This provides extra comfort and exceptional views from every seat, unlike the 7-passenger setup that many other companies use. That said, the two seats with the best views are the ones right in the front, next to the pilot. Those are seats 1 and 2, and I'd recommend that when you book your tour, you request

those two seats. Insider Tip 2: Tip the pilot and driver Sundance isn't the kind of cheesy place where people will demand a tip from you. But bring some cash with you, since it's a good idea to tip both the helicopter pilot and the limo driver. I'd recommend $20 per person for the pilot, and $5 per party for the driver.

Insider Tip 3: Come with a photography plan Taking photos or video from the helicopter is pretty challenging, since you're dealing with noise, vibration, and reflection from the windows. I filmed this video on my iPhone, and as you can see, the camera really didn't do it justice.

So if you'd like to get good quality photos or video, I definitely recommend that you bring a DSLR camera instead and that you do some research ahead of time to figure out which settings will get you the best results. If you're planning a trip to Las Vegas with your family, grab a free copy of the Top Flight

Family Guide to Kid-Friendly Las Vegas, just click here or go to topflightfamily.com/vegas.

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