Never been to Grand Canyon. So called, asked alot of questions, and decided on their Wind Dancer tour. Advertised as 4.5 hours.
I noticed on their website that their sister company also offers the same tour from Henderson. Less expensive, 4 hours. I had a car, considered it. The phone reservationist explained that it doesn't end with a flight over the Vegas Strip, so less popular. I decided on the Wind Dancer mid-morning tour... I was hoping to avoid later afternoon heat, and the winds that develop later in day. Its also discounted. I had access to a $100 off full price coupon, but can't use that on morning, discounted tours.
Staying at Wynn, they explained my shuttle would pick me up 70 minutes before tour. I read online that there can be a lot of waiting around at the terminal. I had a car, so told them I preferred to drive mysef and park there. The terminal is a few hundred feet from the famous Las Vegas sign, on the western edge of McCarran. They told me check-in was 45 minutes before flight, but acknowledged 30-minutes would be adequate. I was running late, arrived 25-minutes before flight, with Maverick calling my cell as I pulled into the terminal. It was still ample time.
I checked in, got weighed, etc. Asked about bathroom access, wondering if they'd maybe set up a porta-potty at the canyon stop. They explained there are no facilities, but its only 2:20 round trip. Apparently the 4.5 hour advertised duration includes the time in the shuttle between hotels and terminal.
You meet your pilot, they explain safety, explain that there are three legs, two stops, so they'll rearrange seating so everyone gets to sit front and back seat, window-adjacent, etc. They take a quick photo in front of helicopter with pilot - you can purchase upon return.
Pilot was friendly and helpful. Kept informative narrative during flight. Its about 40 minutes flying to Grand Canyon, passing over Hoover Dam. Great views of the dam, which I'd visited previous day. I recall that there are no flights allowed at Grand Canyon National Park, and the pilot confirmed that we were visiting a section on Hualapai tribal lands... the only section permitting helicopters.
The tour continues, landing on a little plateau in the canyon, with picnic tables. Champagne and small snack boxes are served. It's a small area, no real hiking is possible. Views of Colorado River and surrounding canyon walls are fantastic. Its mostly 30 minutes of standing around, eating, chatting with other passengers, looking at views, and taking pictures.
Next is a 20 minute hop to a refueling stop. Pilot explains that while helicopter has longer range and fuel capacity, fuel is heavy and full tanks would mean fewer passengers. Its a 5-minute stop with little to see, although nice exposure to the Mojave, Joshua Trees, etc. for visitors.
Back into the copter for a quick flight over eastern Las Vegas, over downtown & Fremont, then along the Strip flying over I-15.
Disembark, into the terminal. Photographs inserted in wooden Mavericks display plaques are out to see and buy. I had a free photo from a MyVegas promotion. My picture wasnt great - I wouldn't have paid for it. For the freebie, they remove the print from the nice plaque and slip it in a cardboard sleeve, telling me that's what they do for the MyVegas customers.
All things considered, I'm glad I went. It was fun, with excellent scenery and service. $470 plus a tip for the pilot - thats more than my commercial flight to Vegas, my 3-day car rental, and my (comp'd) hotel stay fees, combined. And, while overall very satisfied, I admit feeling a little misled by the advertised 4.5 hour duration.... and wondered if the Henderson departures provide more tour time. (I looked it up afterwards - they do not).
Overall, it's one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Overpriced for tourists, but so is everything in Las Vegas. Do it if you can.
Still... its one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. Do it.