I recently had the pleasure of embarking on an unforgettable helicopter tour with Air Maui, and I must say it was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. Everything about the tour, from the stunning views to the exceptional service, exceeded my expectations. I'd like to take a moment to specifically commend our outstanding pilot, Kirk, whose expertise and passion truly made the adventure even more memorable.
First and foremost, the scenery we encountered during our tour was breathtaking. Maui's natural beauty was showcased in all its glory as we soared above lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, and mesmerizing coastlines. Kirk's skillful maneuvering and strategic positioning of the helicopter allowed us to witness these awe-inspiring sights from every angle. It was like being part of a real-life postcard!
Throughout the journey, Kirk's knowledge and enthusiasm for the island's landmarks and history were evident. He provided informative and engaging commentary, offering fascinating insights into the various points of interest we encountered. His narration perfectly complemented the awe-inspiring sights, giving us a deeper appreciation for the significance and beauty of each location.
Kirk's professionalism and dedication to safety were also notable. From the moment we boarded the helicopter, he ensured that everyone felt secure and comfortable. His clear instructions and adherence to safety protocols created a sense of confidence among the passengers, allowing us to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the extraordinary experience. Kirk's expertise as a pilot was evident in his smooth flying skills and precise control, making the journey exceptionally smooth and enjoyable.
Furthermore, Kirk's friendly and warm personality created a welcoming atmosphere throughout the entire tour. He interacted with each passenger, answering questions and ensuring that everyone felt included and engaged. His genuine passion for his work and the island of Maui shone through in every conversation, making the experience all the more enjoyable.
Overall, my helicopter tour with Air Maui, guided by the incredible pilot Kirk, was an absolute highlight of my time in Maui. The professionalism, expertise, and genuine enthusiasm for providing an exceptional experience were evident in every aspect of the journey. I would highly recommend Air Maui to anyone seeking an extraordinary adventure and commend Pilot Kirk for his outstanding skills, knowledge, and friendly demeanor. This is an experience that will be etched in my memory forever, thanks to Air Maui and the incredible team behind it.
Thank you, Air Maui, and thank you, Kirk, for an...
Read moreThis is the 4th helicopter tour I've taken in my life and the only one I would NOT recommend. If the photos look like I’m not fully in the helicopter, that’s because I’m not. Literally, part of my buttocks and right leg were not on the seat and not fully inside the helicopter.
We were a family of 4 with two young adult sons. My husband and sons are all tall, thin men. One of my sons and I were seated in the outside seats and neither were securely in the seat. He picked to be on the outside because he wanted to take photos and video. Instead, he was holding down his jacket to keep it from slapping him in the face from the wind. He is adventurous as he is in training to become a commercial pilot and even he said it was horrible.
I am convinced there is really only room for 3 people in the back of this helicopter. I could only find one other review where someone said they had the same experience so I don't know if they don't often put 4 people in the back.
I could feel the extra long strap from the life vest strap slapping my hip the entire time, but there was nothing I could do about it because they told us not to reach outside the craft because the winds would be 120 mph. So for 45 minutes, I sat on there feeling like I needed to shift my weight to my left side to remain inside the helicopter while deep bruises were literally being formed on my right hip. There was an entire stretch of bruises about 6 inches long.
I kind of thought they were joking when they said if your seatbelt comes undone, don’t panic. Just buckle it again.
But that actually happened in flight to my other son during the flight. Mercifully, he was on the inside.
We did doors-off helicopter tours on Kauai a few years ago and it was nothing like this. However, they were smaller craft and there were only 2 people with a pilot and only one row. In contrast to this experience, those were amazing and I never felt unsafe. The view was also so much better than what you see on Maui. I would do that one again in a heartbeat. If you are planning a helicopter tour, do it on Kauai. If you are only visiting Maui, pick a provider that does doors on to ensure your safety.
Lastly, we spend more than $1500 for the 4 of us to fly. They charge $25 for a hard copy photo (no digital option is available) and want $75 for a thumb drive of the video they take. Plus they want you to tip your pilot. Be prepared to be nickel and dimed by...
Read moreDoors Off .....WoW! The front seat is the way to experience this fun, exciting, cool, awesome, and exhilarating tour. Just pay the extra $50.00. The caveat is only 340lb weight limit for 2 people to sit in front. They also add 10 lbs. Start Your Diet. If you weigh more, you both won't be able to sit in front. So the 1 person to sit in front it will cost double around $735.00) I had to but two tickets plus the extra $50.00 (times 2 so $100), and because they go by twos, they also charged me for $735.00 for my husband cause he had to buy two seats. Not sure why that was cause he only had 1 seat. Yeah, very strange. I'm not really sure why I was charged all of that because the other two people (that I sure weigh as much or more than us) just paid the regular fee. The tour from start to finish was so scenic. This is where a picture is worth a thousand words. We saw the highest sea cliff in the world, the rock/volcanic crater formation that looks like an elephant or turtle. Then we flew to the other island. So beautiful. We flew over the waterfalls that were filmed in the Jurassic Park movie. Loved this tour, but the additional seat money just didn't add up. Yes texting back and forth was a little "lost in translation?". I'm actually hoping to hear from them about an extra seat refund. How do you charge two seats when two extra seats weren't available on that plane. It only seats 6. Three in front and three in back. I was in front and paid for the 3rd seat. Row two had a couple (2 people) and my husband. That's three...
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