Rainbow Air

We thought. What the heck? If there’s ever a time for a helicopter tour it’s over Niagara Falls. Wrong. $ 100 bucks for 7 minutes (they said 10, but I took a video. 7 minutes from take off to landing), they rush you and then they push you for tips. There was 3 of us… so they took in $ 300 for that 7 minute tour! Pay the pilot more money instead of begging the customers for it… Seriously, give a tip for what? The pilot didn’t even acknowledge us. if they book up back to back every ten minutes for an hour… do the math. $ 1800 an hour. Raking in cash while offering a tired whirlwind tour… and then begging for more money. For my $ 100 7 minute tour, I expected a photo by the helicopter… nope. No pictures. Rush on down. NOT WORTH IT. The view is great, that’s why they get 2 stars. If they were courteous I would have given 3. The owners should be ashamed of themselves. Pay your staff so they don’t try to hustle the clients gypsy style.

We researched the tours first and came up with Rainbow tour as the best choice. After waiting 1 hour while the solo pilot took a needed break, The ride was supposed to be 10 min for 105 $ we had a coupon so it was $ 100 however when I boarded and buckled into the helicopter I started my video before take off and it was 7 ½ min from start to finished. It may not seem like a big difference but at $ 100 a pop I want my full 10 min. Also I asked multiple times for the front seat and the couple who was behind us in line got the front seat. I was told that every seat was good and you see the same from all seats. Not true I was behind the pilot and if you are in the front you have a birds eye view not a side window. The ride was amazing but I was nervous when another helicopter flew right under us above the falls. Is that even legal? When we landed we were pressured to «tip the pilot» which I did because we landed safely, not because he went out of his way to make our trip special. There are lots of tour companies to choose from so compare apples with apples before you go. I would have given 2 stars but we did complete a safe journey from start to finish.

This is the place to go if you want to see the majesty of the falls. Nothing can top the views that you get from altitude as you fly across the American and Canadian falls. WOW!
You will get a view no matter what side of the helicopter you sit on since they turn around and come back on the other side. Either way, a win-​win!
Its first come-​first served so just walk up. They may be temporarily unable to fly if the clouds get too low in order to comply with regulations. I’d rather be safe than sorry and legal above all else!
GREAT time.

I’ll start of with the fact that I had a great time. The staff was very friendly, the pilot seemed very experienced and flew over all the right places. I think though all of this was to be expected at $ 10 a minute per person. The company works only on a first come first serve basis and at times the wait could be a little long, we waited about 45 – 55 minutes for our flight but I passed by there the next day and there was no line at all. The flight itself was fun with a great view out the large windows but a bit short, only 8 – 10 minutes long; never inquired if longer flights were available. Having said all that I think its a great experience and I would recommend doing it.

We came here on our honeymoon this week. Yesterday my husband called to make a reservation for today but we were told it’s a first come, first come basis so we figured we could come at any time during the day. We arrive at 3pm to find the business is closed. Hoping they were on a tour, we waited around but decided to ask the neighboring business (Three Sisters) if they knew anything. She explained if Rainbow doesn’t have business early upon opening, then they close up & go home. I wouldn’t be so let down if this wasn’t the only helicopter tour on the United States side. The pamphlet says open daily at 9am, but they fail to mention they may close due to slow business.

A family vacation in the early 1990s to Niagara Falls, NY on a tour bus group, which the highlight of our five day trip is this thirty minute helicopter ride. My family and I were able to obtain an aerial view of Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls, even eyewitness a rainbow generated naturally by sunlight and mist of the falls. Beautiful views indeed captured in imagines in my head as well as opportunties for professional and amauteur photographers alike.
Visitors are provided head sets to protect ears from noise exhaust from the engine of helicopters. Visitors who are prone to fear of heights, I do not recommend this experience but to stay afloat on ground.