Maverick Helicopters is a Las Vegas-based air travel company that provides trips to the West Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I recently had the pleasure of flying them to the Grand Canyon West from Las Vegas. Here is a review of my trip:
Maverick is a premium provider of helicopter tours. They pride themselves on quality and customer service. I researched them on various reputable travel forums. Clients unanimously praised their experience. Definitely a good sign.
Maverick has a host of great tours to choose from, ranging from canyon sunset flights and river rafting adventures to Skywalk tickets and Valley of Fire flyovers. I booked an all inclusive tour called Wind Dancer. Fly to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
One thing that separates Maverick from the rest is the location of its terminal. It is conveniently located at the southern end of the Las Vegas strip. The transfer from the hotel to the heliport takes a few minutes. Also, by virtue of its location, all Maverick flights include overflying the Las Vegas Strip.
The company’s helicopter fleet is comprised entirely of EcoStar 130 aircraft. The EcoStar’s cabin is 25 percent larger than an average helicopter. The extra space means theater-style seating and plenty of leg and elbow room. It also sports a 180-degree wraparound windshield and a noise-reducing Fenestron tail rotor. Passengers get their own headphones. This allows you to connect to the digital communication system and listen to a trip narration or chat with the pilot and other passengers.
The flight was brilliant. The West Rim is a 45-minute flight from the Maverick Helicopter Terminal. The flight plan takes you directly over Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Helicopters fly at a lower altitude than airplanes so the bird’s eye view you get of the dam is amazing.
Our approach to the West Rim was spectacular. He could see the glass walkway of the Grand Canyon glistening in the desert sun. The 4,000-foot descent takes you through three geologic time periods before landing. Maverick’s ground heliport was near the Colorado River. It’s humbling to think that this river formed the Grand Canyon all by itself. I snapped out of my reverie and joined the rest of the group for a champagne picnic.
Our pilot offered to guide us over the base (we were also free to explore on our own). I plan to go out with him. I am happy to have done it. Otherwise he would have had my head stuck in my guide. Maverick also offers a helicopter tour that allows you to extend a bottom landing with a flatwater rafting trip down the Colorado.
The return flight is great. We revisited Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam and
then he veered north and strafed the Valley of Fire. This area is made up of bright orange sandstone. It is a surreal place and I have never seen anything like it. A passenger said that he reminded her of Moab, Utah.
Our descent took us along the Las Vegas Strip. This is another one of those Maverick advantages. We float above the horizon. To my left, I saw the Wynn, Planet Hollywood, Paris, the MGM Grand, and more. On the grounds, I opted to purchase my tour on DVD. The quality is excellent and makes the perfect keepsake.
Choose Maverick Helicopters if you’re looking for a premium Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas. Five star customer service. The planes are of the latest generation. And the quality of the tour is second to none. Save money by booking your tours online. I did and I know for a fact that I cut 20% off. No trip to Las Vegas is complete without a helicopter tour of the West Rim. So do it in style. Do it with Maverick.