They say, if you decide to do a helicopter tour around Hawaii, or in this case Kauai, then take an "open-door" ride. That's right, "doors off"!!! Prior to coming here, I had booked online about ten days in advance. The next day, I received a call to confirm the date and our weight. By the way, they also say, if you plan to a heli-ride then schedule it at the beginning of your trip. This is due to the unpredictable weather, and flights can be cancelled at any time. It's apparently common that flights get rebooked. I had originally booked a Tuesday, but due to weight balancing with another couple, the guy who called to confirm mentioned we need to fly on Wednesday. Rescheduled, and no problem, and totally understandable. We were here at the end of March, and I received a text from Tracy, who again confirmed our flight time. Excellent communication. The helicopter hanger was easy to find as well, as it's near Lihue Airport. And it's a white dome shaped hanger that you cannot miss. When we entered, we were entertained by Freddy who later helped us get secure into the helicopter. Before flying, Shea gave us a briefing on the safety rules. She even showed us a live map of the current crew that's on tour flying around. Thank you Tracy, Freddy, and Shea for helping us from start to finish. Other details for other to know, they have small storage lockers. They rent cell phone harnesses for $5. And they do not have restrooms, but have outside porta-potties. Bring a jacket too, because you never know. No sandals allowed. Ready to take-off, Max was our pilot, and he did one hell of a flight! I questioned the weather, questioned the clouds, questioned my seat belts, and even questioned our pilot. But then realized, ummm, I'm in the air already OH WELL!!! Gotta trust the pilot, gotta trust your seat belt, and just start taking pictures. For some reason, I wanted to sit in the two backseats versus the front, and we did. My photos still came out amazing! Everything was simply memorable, thank you Max! read more

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Great experience, great pilot. Great helicopter. Highly recommend this trip & this company.Very professional. read more

This is a must do while in Kauai to really see the breathtaking aerial views of the Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and Mount Waiʻaleʻale. The doors off helicopter tour was amazing!! Kate is a skilled pilot who ensured all of us saw the enchanting beauty of Kauai!! Loved it and highly recommend. read more

Airborne Aviation - With our skilled pilot, Kate. She's awesome!! - Private Jet Charter Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

This was my very first time on a helicopter tour, and there is no better view to see than the island of Kauai! My husband was very excited when I presented the idea of doing a tour from the skies of the island and insisted on doing a doors-off helicopter tour. I was a bit scared about the idea of being so high up in the sky without a door, but once we took off, my worries flew off the door, and I had the most breathtaking adventure! The company takes safety very seriously, and they do all they can to accommodate their clients without putting them at risk. The day before our scheduled flight, I received a text asking to confirm the weights of all participants. We were originally scheduled for a flight on a Monday morning; however, the weather was not cooperating (very strong wind advisory), and I received a phone call that day letting me know that the flight can not occur. She did offer to reschedule right away, and lucky for us, we had a day or two when we were not committed to other activities. We went on a Wednesday afternoon instead. The day was somewhat overcast to start, but it was perfect in the afternoon. When we arrived, they weighed us, made sure we had phone tethers, and provided some safety instructions. Right before our flight, the pilot took a bunch of photos, and then the staff helped everyone get in their respective helicopters. They have step stools, which were very helpful for a short person like myself. The staff also assisted with gearing up and buckling you in, then reversing the process later. Side note, wear warm clothes. It can get quite chilly up in the skies! Our pilot was very nice. I can't remember his name, unfortunately. We got to sit up front in the cockpit with him! It was such an amazing view. Even if you can't sit up front, the whole experience would still give you such amazing view because... no doors. We saw numerous waterfalls, the area where they filmed Jurassic Park, the Waimea canyon, the lush north side of the island, Mount Waialeale, and of course, my personal favorite, the Napali coast. We were even graced with some special appearances of some hunchedback whales. We had a truly magnificent time. I wasn't ready for it to be over when it ended. Our experience with Airborne aviation and the wonderful memories we have as a result are beyond fantastic. Our pilot was knowledgeable, friendly, and pointed out the views while doing his best to not rush during flight. He made sure to get as close as possible to places/views for our enjoyment. It was a fun and educational experience. I wish I could say it was once in a lifetime, but I know that the next time I am back on the island of Kauai, this is something I would love to do again. This easily was the best adventure I have gone on during our trip. If you have ever given this type of tour a second thought, don't. Just do it. You will thank yourself later! Was it costly? Yes, but the memories... priceless. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience! Everyone was friendly, informative, and safe! If it's in your budget, do not miss this excursion. read more

Airborne Aviation - Rainbow from the helicopter! - Private Jet Charter Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Felipe was an excellent pilot/tour guide. He played wonderful music throughout the flight and shared facts about the island. FAA safety briefing was short but thorough. Make sure you tie your hair up in a tight bun.... I spent 1 hour trying to brush the knots out of my head because my braid came loose. Definitely a tight squeeze in the front with 3 people. Seating is arranged by weight. Free cold drinks/coffee before and after the flight. read more

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By far the highlight of our week in Kauai! I'll admit, I was pretty nervous going into this experience- it was my first helicopter ride, and to top it off, it was doors-off! But from the moment we took off, I felt completely at ease. The team made sure we were well-prepared, and I quickly realized there was nothing to worry about. We were lucky to get a calm day in mid-December and the whole experience felt incredibly safe and smooth. Our pilot, Joe, was fantastic- so kind, knowledgeable, and professional. He made sure everyone was comfortable and gave us some great background on the island. As for the views...wow! Seeing Kauai from above was absolutely breathtaking. You really get a whole new perspective on the island that you can't get from land. Honestly, it was worth every penny. It's an experience that will stay with me forever, and I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to try it. If you're on the fence about doing a doors-off helicopter ride, do it! You won't regret it. read more

Airborne Aviation - Private Jet Charter Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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This was a very neat experience. from the time we checked in til the time we left everyone was friendly, funny and helpful. the ride itself was magnificent. at times I thought he was going to go right into the mountain, he got so close and tilted perfectly for both sides to see what he was showing us. It was wild all the things we saw. The ride was smooth and I thought with the doors off it might be a little scary but it wasn't at all. Over all every little bit of the experience was amazing. I recommend this to anyone who wants to see the island. I wanted to go up the next day just for the fun but let me tell you when they say you are going to see some things you are going to see some amazing things. But do dress warm as the wind chill factor was a little much for me but my husband was in the back in shorts and light jacket. I had pants and a fairly heavy windbreaker and was chilly. I wouldn't hesitate to do again and again. read more

This was my husbands idea and I was very uncomfortable with it but went along anyway. The staff was so nice and professional, we felt very safe the whole time. There was a bit of turbulence on our trip due to the rain and wind which was nerve wrecking for me, but our pilot, Brian, was a pro and handled it all very well. He was very knowledgeable about the island and showed us some incredible views that we would have never seen otherwise. So many rainbows!! This was a great tour that I highly recommend if you can handle heights and flying well. read more

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Probably the coolest thing I'll ever do! Such a great experience and enjoyed every second! It's a great way to see the island from air as well as learn about it. My family did the doors off tour and our pilot Tianna was great! She gave us a tour throughout the entire experience and even played some calm music. My mom was nervous at first but the pilots are all very experienced and they make you feel safe. She had a great time! Make sure to wear a jacket or long sleeves as it's very windy up there. I highly suggest booking with Airborne Aviation if you're able to! read more

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Awesome tour! Expect very friendly and professional service from ground crew to pilot (thanks Wayne!!). Not only was the service fantastic, so were the views. From the scenic harbors and the natural beauty of the mountains to the majestic waterfalls (that were surprisingly everywhere on the island)! Definitely worth doing a helicopter tour with NO DOORS! So exciting and open. If you want a helicopter tour Airborne Aviation is the place to go! read more

Airborne Aviation - Private Jet Charter Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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It was amazing! The most beautiful sights I have ever seen. The pilot was friendly and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Kauai! read more

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Such a phenomenal experience to view parts of Kauai that are only visible by air. Adam was an amazing pilot. A smooth ride with once in a lifetime views. 10 out of 10 recommend! read more

There is a reason they have a five star rating! The island and its phenomenal views provide a once in a lifetime experience in and of themselves but the staff at Airborne were incredible. From the moment of being greeted at the gate, to check in, to getting into the helicopter - you are provided with the Aloha service. The staff were so kind, friendly, engaging, and experienced. If it's a first time in a helicopter, your nerves can be a little high - which makes the care and service the team provides even more important. You know you are in capable hands from the very beginning which makes being able to relax and enjoy the views possible. Highly recommend! read more

We had the best time! This was a spur of the moment decision to book, and I am so glad we did! I have never had such a wonderful experience. The views were spectacular and the crew and pilot were kind, cheerful, and knowledgeable. Such an amazing experience all around! read more

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The flight was amazing accommodating for my moms torn achilles tendon awesome crew safety is there #1 priority

It's hard to say what your favorite adventure is when visiting Kauai. The whole place is an adventure, but with only 30% of the island accessible, getting the opportunity to see it from the air is extraordinary. I looked at a few different helicopter tours and ended up very happy I choose Airborne Aviation and the "doors off" experience that I could truly feel. Flying through canyons and around the Na Poli coast will be an unrivaled experience I'll remember for my whole life. Our pilot Brian did a fantastic job of explaining the island and informed us of any upcoming "bumps" ahead of time when we were in the air. The staff was very kind and welcoming. They offered coffee and water and explained the flight path while providing more information about the island and answering any questions. Freddie was especially helpful and accommodating. I will say it's a good idea to book early in your trip in case they have to cancel the flight. All flights the first day I booked were canceled due to extremely windy conditions and the pilot took the time to explain the situation to us in person. Then the staff helped everyone rebook. I flew two days later in much better conditions. I appreciate that the pilots fly the route and make flight decisions based on the safety and comfort of their passengers. Again, excellent experience all around. Wonderful staff, pilots, and flight. Thank you! read more

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This was the most fun and exciting thing I have done in a long time. My wife and I had a great experience with Steven. Highly recommend. read more

Airborne Aviation - Private Jet Charter Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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AMAZING! Do yourself a favor and book an Airborne Aviation tour of this gorgeous island or your trip to Kauai will not be complete. The pilots are top notch, highly experienced - they do search and rescue on the island - so you know you're in great hands. They're accommodating - offered us a flight with or without doors - whatever we needed to feel comfortable. In the end, after reading so many glowing reviews of flying without doors, we did the same and absolutely loved it! It's was a truly incredible experience. Exploring Kauai first by air then by sea/boat, land/hiking, etc gave us a unique and more holistic appreciation for the beauty of this amazing island. read more

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If you visit Kauai, I would highly recommend a doors off helicopter tour with Airborne Aviation! Their staff on the ground were friendly and informative, our pilot Brian was great and the views were spectacular! Worth the splurge to see the island from above. read more

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This company is used by the island For rescue services on the islands. So I felt very confident in their skill sets and expertise. We opted for the doors off experience which I highly recommend. The entire flight and trip was absolutely beautiful and done well. The whole team was exemplary in assisting us with the safety aspect of a helicopter. The sites and experience with the doors off tour was gorgeous, and the only type of flight I will be booking in the future. What a great experience! read more

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My husband and I cannot recommend Airborne Aviation enough to anyone and everyone who is visiting Kauai. From the ease of scheduling a flight, to the professionalism of the team, it was overall a great experience. We had booked 2 seats for a doors-off experience. The instructions for parking were easy enough to figure out, and they sent a text the day prior with the exact GPS coordinates for the parking lot. We had arrived early and were greeted by an older gentleman who drove us in a very cool golf cart type vehicle to the Airborne flight trailer. Once at the trailer, we went over safety protocols and got a first-hand look of a detailed flight map of where we were going to be flying over. They also offered drinks and jackets if needed, because it is a bit chilly on the helicopter at some points. They also had lockers for any belongings that you couldn't zip into your pockets, and phone tethers, which were a must. Our pilot was Wayne, and he did a fantastic job of showing us the island, while narrating what we were looking at. He got us up close and personal with some of the falls and various mountain ranges, as shown in my videos. I will caution that it is a WINDY ride - it was a little freaky for our first ever helicopter tour but we felt safe in the hands of Wayne and his expert flying ability (we were told that he was a pilot in Alaska and if you can fly Alaska, you can fly anywhere). One additional thing to note is their website - Airborne Aviation did a FANTASTIC job of outlining every little detail you could imagine to ensure you were prepared for your helicopter ride. This is honestly one of the main reasons we had booked with them because their website was super detailed and professional. Overall, we'd highly recommend this helicopter tour if you're visiting Kauai! Thanks Wayne and team!! read more

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Our pilot was Chris, GREAT pilot and guide on the tour. SUPER fun and SAFE for us. These guys help with fire and rescue on the island, huge comfort to know on a open door tour. Saw beautiful parts of Kauai by air; mesmerizing to look at. You get pretty high up, definitely recommend a light sweater + sweats; something easy to change out of when you get back down. read more

We were in awe after this trip. I loved the helicopter tour. 10/10 I absolutely do recommend this company. read more

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The wife and I went on the chopper tour today! Wow, one of the best things I have ever done, doors off and unbelievable, surreal beauty. Captain Kate was great, very professional and they were able to make some adjustments to get a big guy like me on the flight. Highly recommended! read more

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Great tour of Kauai. It was our first time on a helicopter. Our pilot did a great job explaining everything and making sure everyone enjoyed the trip. We'd highly recommend them to anyone! read more

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We did doors off and it was amazing. We felt safe the whole time and the pilot was great while making sure both sides of the copter got great vantage points. Everybody was friendly and accommodating. This is one of the best ways to view the island. read more

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Wonderful experience! So glad we went with Airborn Aviation for our helicopter trip. Our pilot (Brian) provided great commentary and we had a blast. read more

What an AWESOME helicopter tour of Kauai. Keone and Kiku of Airborne Aviation made sure we knew how to enter and exit the helicopter. Our pilot Kurt was very knowledgeable and made us all feel safe. The trip was outstanding with so many waterfalls and canyons that we lost count. Kurt flew us through the Waimea canyon, down into the spectacular valleys along the Na Pali coast and showed us the 4,000 foot high Alakai Swamp. We saw the back side of the main crater that formed Kauai and into Waialeale, the island's center, which was spiritual with it's 3,000 feet vertical walls. His narration gave us super insight into the island's past and it's present. We highly recommend Airborne Aviation Tours for anyone wanting the Real Thing. read more

I don't know if I can say enough good things about our Helicopter tour. To begin, I was very anxious due to a negative experience with a different helicopter tour operator 20 years ago on a different island. I made the staff aware and they were reassuring and so kind. Our pilot, Kate, was beyond amazing. She was very knowledgeable about the island and an excellent pilot. Our whole family (husband, 16 year old and 19 year old) LOVED it. The doors off tour was such a great way to see parts of the island that we would never have been able to see otherwise. If you are considering taking this tour, DO IT! You will not regret it. read more

Loved the friendly/funny staff. We flew with Wayne and loved his relaxing voice telling us all about the beautiful island.

Once you experience a helicopter tour with the doors off, you will always seek this out. Photographs and videos will come out a lot clearer without the glass reflection. And if it rains during you tour, you will stay dry, and still be able to take photos. Over the last 25 years, I have been fortunate to experience nearly all of the helicopter operators on Kauai and they are all excellent. I have always felt safe about each one of them. The flight path/ experience itself is nearly the same for each tour. Air time is 45 to 60 min for each, all nearly the same. The difference is with the type of craft used, the seating and if you have doors off or not. The larger helicopters have more seating and it is more likely you will have 3 in the back with a middle seat. And glass doors which reflect poorly for photographs. I think the smaller helicopters, without the doors, are better for viewing everything. and the seating is better. Geoff and Keoni were amazing hosts and were very professional. And you probably know that if there is an emergency on Kauai that requires a helicopter, I.E. Search and Rescue, these pilots are called on. Summary. Doors off = better experience. Smaller craft = better views. Top pilots = safer experience. read more

Airborne Aviation - Private Jet Charter Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Favorite activity of our trip, hands down! One of the most breathtaking hours of my life without question. The views you will see are like nothing on earth-and this is coming from someone who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro! The staff was kind and our pilot Joe did an excellent job of making us comfortable and giving tour location callouts and descriptions, in addition to flying safely while getting us to otherwise-inaccessible places for amazing views. I work in aviation risk management and Airborne's entire operation was first class. Operations like these can be hard to find on islands and in places where pilot and aviation resources are less accessible. Definitely choose airborne. Also, when booking please try to schedule this for your first or second full day in town. We were rescheduled twice due to weather and the staff is super friendly and accommodating for reschedules but this gives them more options to work with to ensure you get to see what I saw! read more

The views were absolutely incredible! This is the best way to see the island. Our pilot was kind and experienced, as were the rest of the staff. We definitely recommend them! read more

Helicopter tour with Craig was an awesome experience. I've never been on a helicopter and I felt thrilled to take off and see stunning views of Kauai with the doors off! It was a mostly smooth ride, with an occasional and normal sway from the rear; I felt at ease knowing the pilots from the tour company have experience with accessing remote areas for search and rescue. My husband who had motion sickness from a boat tour last week, felt at ease during the 50 minute tour. Prior to the tour, Freddie guided us with safety measures and expectations, and assisted us in ensuring we were comfortable and safely fastened in our seats. This was a truly epic and unforgettable experience! read more

Wow. Incrediable. Amazing. Spectaclar. Beautiful. Doors off helicopter ride is a must in kauai. What a great hour and worth the price. Wayne was our pilot and was a great navigator as well as experienced pilot. read more

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They had total 6 overbooking for 3 PM time slot the day we went. This was a learning experience for me. We booked through Viator. My initial response was to blame Airborne Aviation for overbooking but they actually did nothing wrong. I called Viator and it was an issue on their end. Viator sends you a confirmation email but nothing is actually "confirmed." I highly recommend never booking through a third party site. If you do, contact the company directly to verify that your reservation is confirmed. Per Viator, they told me it is not their responsibility to "confirm" and they are simply a booking platform which is wild since they send you a "confirmation" email. Viator provides vague information too on the company you are booking with so it makes it difficult to know which company it is and for a good reason; Viator is a business and they want you to book through them and not the actual tour company so they do not provide the contact info. They want you to contact tour companies on their platform. Long story short: book directly through Airborne Aviation, it is cheaper as well and will save headache on your vacation. Also, one of the best experiences of my life! read more

An awesome ride and professional staff. I've never flown with the doors off and it's definitely an unforgettable experience. So thankful I found them and didn't go with the more commercialized companies. read more

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We booked the doors-off helicopter tour through Airborne Aviation. To say it was amazing, is like saying a whale breaching right in front of you is nothing to see. We all know that taking a picture fails to capture the incredible beauty of what we are seeing. That same premise is reflected here, extremely hard to find the words which would encapsulate the incredible adventure we experienced. To begin, we were greeted by Keone, a pilot, who drove us to the Airborne Aviation lounge from the gate entrance. The hospitality was wonderful. We were offered fresh coffee, water, etc. We talked about various places we've been, laughed A LOT, and Keone even took the time to point out more places to go on the island for the various things we wanted to see. Primo and Amy both ground crew members, made us laugh, helped us with our gear, briefed us on safety protocol and prepared us for our flight. What a flight we experienced. This is where the hard to describe comes in. Our pilot Brian whose captivating smile puts you at ease before even leaving the lounge came in and greeted us after completing his pre-flight safety check. He shared a few more items, asked if we had questions and talked to us a bit before heading out to the helicopter. They even allowed us a moment to take a picture with him in front of the helicopter. Thank you for that memory. Two of the three of us are afraid of heights and flying, with that fear, they all took time to continue to assess our well being. They helped secure us into our seats made sure we were comfortable, and with their reassuring heart-warming smiles, our fears disappeared and calmed our jittery nerves. At no time during the flight did any of us feel unsafe or scared and these words are from a big chicken who wasn't sure they even wanted to go. We had some rain and wind that day, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We viewed incredible rainbows and sights we would not have seen without those components. We captured pictures of rainbows at the waterfalls, over the ocean and the mountains. Flying over and through rainbows was awe inspiring! You felt like you could reach out and touch the colors. Brian took us around each significant place so that all passengers had an opportunity to view and photograph the beautiful sights before us. The mountains we flew over were majestic and at each point Brian shared the history and answered any questions we asked. We were so lucky to view several rainbows with the backdrop of this beautiful island each taking our breath away. Our pictures are frameable! Brian spotted a whale which we all were able to see, what a sight to see from above. He was knowledgeable of the land features and names of the waterfalls. To be in a helicopter and yet having to look UP at some of the mountains was exhilarating and gave perspective to their sheer size. There were an amazing number of beautiful waterfalls and to view them from that height was beyond breathtaking. You cannot view that beauty or view that many waterfalls together at the same time from the ground. So worth the investment with this group to enjoy Kauai from the sky. We were in awe every moment on that flight. We did not want the flight to end. When we landed, we wanted to book another flight right then and there, sadly our time on the island was limited and we could not this year. As soon as we book our flights over for next year, we plan to call them at the same time and book two different tours to see the views with different lighting. We came home with incredible pictures, shared memories we will have forever and an excitement that makes your heart want to jump out of your chest. Keone, Primo, Amy and Brian, we thank you for the most memorable adventure we have ever taken! And we have had many around the world! You calmed our fears and gave us a day that we will never forget! We are grateful for all of you. read more

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Awesome group of people! Great pilots and love the open doors! Nice loop of the island and some killer waterfall viewing.