What to Expect from a Los Angeles Helicopter Tour
This video documents a first-time helicopter experience over Los Angeles, piloted through Orbic Air's Grand Tour route out of Burbank Airport. The 50-minute flight sweeps across the city's most recognizable landmarks—the Hollywood Sign, downtown skyline, celebrity neighborhoods, and coastal areas—offering an aerial perspective that ground-based sightseeing simply can't match. It's the kind of tour that works best for travelers with a bucket-list mindset, whether you're visiting LA for the first time or seeking a unique vantage point on familiar sights.
The experience suits anyone with an appetite for adventure and roughly an hour to spare. You don't need to be an aviation enthusiast; the real draw is the unfiltered bird's-eye view of a sprawling city. The video captures the genuine excitement of a young traveler encountering a helicopter for the first time, which gives you a realistic sense of both the thrill and the logistics involved.
Key Moments
Signature Sights You'll See on This Flight Route
- The Hollywood Sign and Hollywood Reservoir—among the first landmarks visible after takeoff
- Flying between downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers at eye level with the buildings themselves
- Dodger Stadium and Silver Lake Reservoir en route to the city center
- The Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theater in the Hollywood district
- Marina Del Rey, LAX airport, and a Southwest jet departing the runway
- Hillside mansions in the celebrity neighborhoods between Hollywood and Century City
Planning Details for Your Helicopter Tour Experience
- Duration: The Grand Tour runs 50 minutes total
- Departure Point: Burbank Airport; arrive 20 minutes early for check-in procedures
- Operator: Orbic Air offers this tour; book directly through their website at orbicair.com
- Weather Impact: Tours operate in cloudy or light rain conditions, though visibility is better on clearer days—plan accordingly if you have specific shots in mind
- Parking: If combining your tour with a visit to nearby attractions like Griffith Observatory, use the Greek Theatre parking area and shuttle bus service
- Booking Tip: These tours fill up quickly, especially for the full Grand Tour experience; reserve your spot as soon as your travel dates are set
Common Questions About Los Angeles Helicopter Tours
Is this experience worth the cost?
The video's narrator explicitly states the tour was worth the money, and 50 minutes of continuous aerial coverage of LA's most famous landmarks represents significant value compared to multiple separate attractions. You're condensing hours of ground-based sightseeing into one immersive experience.
What should I wear for a helicopter flight?
The video doesn't specify clothing recommendations, but dress for the weather you'd encounter on the ground in LA that day. Layers are wise since cabin temperatures can differ from outside air, and avoid loose items that could be caught by rotor wash during boarding.
Can I bring a camera or phone to film?
The video clearly shows footage captured during the flight, so cameras and phones are permitted. Have your device charged and ready; window reflections may affect some shots, and the helicopter's motion can make steady framing challenging.
How crowded is the helicopter?
The video mentions that private helicopters offer better views than shared tours because of fewer passengers. Orbic Air's Grand Tour appears to be a shared experience; if you're sensitive to crowding, inquire about private flight options when booking.
What if the weather is bad on my scheduled date?
The video was filmed on a cloudy day with light drizzle in the forecast, yet the tour went ahead and was still described as awesome. Contact Orbic Air directly about their weather cancellation policy, but know that overcast conditions alone won't necessarily ground the tour.
