Your first helicopter tour over Los Angeles takes 35 to 65 minutes, starts at Van Nuys Airport, and shows you the Hollywood Sign, the Pacific coastline and the downtown skyline in a single flight. If you’ve never flown in a helicopter before, this guide covers everything you need to know: how to choose a route, what happens on the day, and how to get the most out of every minute in the air.
Why see Los Angeles by helicopter?
Los Angeles is enormous. On the ground, getting from Hollywood to Malibu to downtown can eat up an entire day in traffic. From the air, you see how the whole city fits together: the mountains, the canyons, the beaches and the neighborhoods you’ve only seen in movies. We’ve written before about why a helicopter tour beats being stuck in LA traffic, and first-timers almost always tell us the same thing when they land: they had no idea LA was this beautiful.
Step 1: Choose your route
Group 3 Aviation offers several Los Angeles helicopter tours, each built around a different side of the city:
- City icons: Hooray for Hollywood (35 minutes) flies past the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios, the downtown skyline and Dodger Stadium.
- Studios and sea: The Movie Studio & Coast Tour (35 minutes) pairs Hollywood’s major studios with the LA beach scene.
- Nature lovers: The California Coast & Canyons Tour (35 minutes) and Malibu Mountains & Coast (50 minutes) trade city streets for canyons, beaches and offshore islands.
- Can’t decide: Hollywood & The Beaches (50 minutes) combines the city and coast routes into one flight.
- See it all: The Grand Helicopter Tour (65 minutes) covers Malibu, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood and downtown.
For most first-timers, Hollywood & The Beaches is the sweet spot. It’s long enough to feel like a real adventure and covers both halves of what makes LA famous.
Step 2: Plan your group
Each Group 3 helicopter carries 2 to 3 passengers plus the pilot. That means a small, personal experience where everyone gets a window. If your group has 4 or more people, you’ll fly in back-to-back flights, so one group flies while the other waits its turn. Call ahead for larger groups so we can schedule everyone smoothly.
Step 3: Pick your time of day
Daytime flights give you crisp views of landmarks and the coastline. Late-afternoon and sunset flights bathe the city in golden light and are especially popular for couples and celebrations. If you have a sunset slot in mind, book early, because those times fill up first.
Step 4: Know what to expect on the day
You’ll check in at our office at Van Nuys Airport, 16425 Hart Street, Suite 211, where parking is free. Dress for the current weather and bring your phone or camera; you’ll want photos. Before takeoff, your pilot walks you through a safety briefing and answers any questions. Then comes the moment every first-timer remembers: the gentle lift-off as the ground drops away beneath you.
If you’re nervous, that’s completely normal. Our pilots have decades of experience and love helping first-time flyers feel comfortable. Many guests tell us the flight felt far smoother than they expected.
Step 5: Make the most of the flight
- Keep your camera ready. The Hollywood Sign and the coastline come up fast.
- Ask questions. Your pilot knows the city from above and can point out landmarks, celebrity neighborhoods and hidden canyons.
- Put the phone down for a minute. Some of the best moments are the ones you simply watch.
Want to know which landmarks to look for? Read our guide to seeing the Hollywood Sign from above and our post on what makes aerial tours unforgettable.
Ready for takeoff?
Discover Los Angeles, the city’s official tourism guide, lists Group 3 Aviation as an LA helicopter tour and charter operator at historic Van Nuys Airport. When you’re ready, book your tour online or contact us with any questions.
About Group 3 Aviation
Group 3 Aviation is a woman-owned helicopter tour and charter company based at Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley. Since 1993, Group 3 has flown visitors and locals over Los Angeles on scenic helicopter tours, private helicopter charters and aerial photography and video flights, plus special events from golf ball drops to gender reveals. To book, visit group3aviation.com or call 818-994-9376.
