Bought an instruction ride for my mother in law. What a fabulous experience. A thrill of a lifetime she said.

Service was great!! Everyone we spoke to was super nice. Unfortunately we missed our return flight due to having the wrong return time (totally my fault). Eloy was really nice and was able to accommodate us with a flight back the same day on the next flight with no extra charge. We definitely recommend Island Express Helicopter Service! read more

For people who just cannot take the time or survive the ordeal of taking a boat or a catamaran over to Catlaina Island. we have this very useful helicopter landing used by Island Express. Island Express offers short, 15-minure hops over to Avalon. Departures are from heliports in either Long Beach adjacent to the Queen Mary or from San Pedro at the Catalina passenger terminal. The Catalina heliport is out on Pebbly Beach Road, adjacent to the Buffalo Nickel restaurant. Prices for the ride range from $125-195 each way. Children under two years old ride on their parents lap are free. The choppers are six-passenger helicopters that are turbine powered, sound proofed, with leather interiors for comfort. 4 YELP STARS for an easy way to go 26 miles out to sea. 1 YELP STAR DEDUCTED for high prices. read more

Maverick Helicopters - Airport Shuttles Near Me - Avalon, California

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Well, we're out $300. We take responsibility for getting stuck in two hours of LA traffic. But we talked to 3 different people on the phone and they all said we'll be fine. We told them our GPS said we'd be there right on time and we were but the final person we talked to on the phone directed us to the WRONG parking structure. We circled around and weren't able to get any sort of coherent directions from them. We were IN the parking lot on the phone with them, as we saw the helicopter take off over over our heads just a few minutes after the hour. I get it that they want to leave right on the dot, but even major airlines were nicer than these people. No refund, no discount, no kindness. Definitely not recommending this company to anyone. read more

Maverick Helicopters - After receiving poor directions and being on the phone with them this is how close we were. - Airport Shuttles Near Me - Avalon, California

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We fly with Island express every August when we head the island. We headed out on July 11th with our grandson. The ground crew was awesome, as well as our pilot. Very cool dude from South Africa. They made it especially special when they put myself and my five-year-old grandson in the front seat. I know they got new owners if you years ago but I just want to let you know this crew is still the same amazing crew they have always been and we appreciate them so very very much. There was a pod of dolphins at our pilot circle back so everyone on board could see the pod of dolphins swimming. Only took an extra minute but wow what an experience. Thank you for your amazing service and we will see you next August. read more

Maverick Helicopters - Airport Shuttles Near Me - Avalon, California

So my husband surprised me with a catalina trip and we used this helicopter service to get there. Amazing staff amazing pilot wonderful trip to Catalina. However; shuffling my baby and my 12 year old daughter my wallet fell free and made the great escape to islandism in a failed attempt to never see the mainland again. Yeah I left it on the helicopter! The mechanics that clean and maintain the chopper found my wallet and the following morning on the way back to Long Beach, which is about when I noticed I was missing my wallet I returned to the helipad where our truck was and where we took off from the guy on the inside informed me that they did have my wallet and it was turned in and I could get it from the hanger. Moral of the story; not many people would turn in a wallet! This shows the integrity and awesomeness of the people the employ. Hats off to you guys and will definitely be using you again. read more

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For my husbands birthday, we decided to go to Catalina Island. What better way to get there than a helicopter! Island Express was awesome! They were super easy to book, helpful, nice, professional and all around the best! Smooth ride, and very exciting! Thanks for helping my husband have the best birthday! read more

Maverick Helicopters - Our ride to Catalina - Airport Shuttles Near Me - Avalon, California

This was soooooo much fun! Such a fast fun way to get to Catalina! We will definitely do this again! read more

Maverick Helicopters - What a great experience! - Airport Shuttles Near Me - Avalon, California

We arrived at island express 20mins before our scheduled flight. We were greeted by a very pleasant and cheerful guy that works for the company as soon as we got out of the taxi cab. He helped carry our luggage (which was a ton since we tend to overpack when traveling with our child) and he weighed them on the scale. There was a quick video explaining how to use the safety vest etc that we had to watch. Even before I inquired about availability of a safety vest for our toddler, the guy had it out and ready for us and instructed us on how to apply and use it. The chopper ride to the mainland was quick - about 15mins. This is the best way to get to and from Catalina island! We will always go this route and use this company for our future Catalina island trips. No more hour long awful ferry rides esp when a better travel option is available! read more

Maverick Helicopters - My toddler enjoyed the chopper ride back to LB - Airport Shuttles Near Me - Avalon, California

The absolute best way to get to Catalina! Beat the crowds, save yourself a ton of time and energy and enjoy the views. Great professional team in both Long Beach and Avalon. We will definitely use you time and again! read more

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Everyone is very friendly and accommodating. Smooth ride and very fun. We arrived an hour and half early and they were able to put us on an earlier flight. Job well done thanks guys. read more

Maverick Helicopters - Check out their bday Special. The Franks hit Catalina Island. - Airport Shuttles Near Me - Avalon, California

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WOW. What a great experience using Island Express to get from Long Beach to Catalina last weekend. I would absolutely recommend this--and plan to use it for any trip to Catalina in the future! My boyfriend gets seasick pretty easily, and the last time we went to Catalina, the hour + long boat ride ruined his stomach for the rest of the day. We decided to book the helicopter ride both for that reason, and because it essentially gave us 2 full extra hours on the island. The customer service, from the booking process itself, was exceptional. On the return trip, flights were delayed because of morning fog. We checked in early, and the team there (particularly Rad), went above and beyond to ensure we were kept informed throughout our wait. They let us leave our luggage and sit in the restaurant next door, coming in periodically to update us. We ended up being able to get on a flight a full hour earlier than the one we were booked on, because they were so accommodating. I HIGHLY recommend Island Express. The price is steeper than the ferry to be sure, but it's only a 9-minute flight each way, and the flight itself is smooth and absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to go again! read more

Company culture never included any regard for safety, especially from managers. Marginal weather days you were told: go fly and see what it looks like. Erm no, it's IFR. Well just go fly and see what it looks like. Erm are you fn kidding? Yup that's what the culture was. A pilot that landed back at base, because of chip lights, multiple chip lights, was told to go fly, because the mechanic considered the chip they found to not have been a chip. Subsequent gearbox inspection revealed a transmission falling apart. Ara may have had plenty of hours and experience, but he was a fool for flying VFR in that weather, thinking his skill and experience was going to save him from that outcome. He should have known better but his attitude was always... oh I got this. Plenty of people talk about how safe he was, sure he was safety-conscious, like all of us pilots are. Unfortunately he was also one of those watch this! guys. I know because I flew with him plenty. The managers were joking, in the office, two days before that crash, when questioned about marginal weather. WB responded: haha yeah Ara would fly in anything... This was two days before the crash. Cold chills anyone? This crash was going to happen, sooner or later. Island Express you are to blame, no one else. Your years of poor Company Culture fostered an environment of complacency and poor judgement. Accept responsibility. Reap what you sowed you aholes. read more

Went on a helicopter tour of the island and initially were told that the helicopter would turn around so all passengers got to see everything. That did not happen so if you sit behind the pilot, all you will see is ocean. Unless you can get a seat on the left side of the helicopter, it isn't worth the money. read more

My husband surprised me with a helicopter ride, as my husband does always forgets to reserve or plan and itinerary. Well when we got there, there were two open seats on the helicopter but the 2 people who reserved those seats never showed so we were able to take their seats. Watched a 5 min video and off we went. Fastest and honestly best way to get catalina. We enjoyed every minute a must do when going to catalina. read more

For my boyfriends birthday(May 19&20) I surprised him to a trip to Catalina Islands. His last surprise of the day was the helicopter ride back to new port beach. We had walked about 25 min towards his surprised destination towards the end of our trip. It was an all day Saturday trip we did not stay. As we were told we got the days mixed up, we supposably were reserved for Sunday not Saturday. Being young I felt like I needed my moms opinion with the situation. She had called them and told them It was their mistake and that was our only ride back to our car.They specifically told my mom that she had to buy an extra 2 tickets if we wanted to leave Saturday. RIDICULOUS! I felt very anxious with the situation and did not know what to do. They were no help and came off very rude. read more

The crew and services were great! I got the 30 minute Catalina tour for my Mother on her birthday. She is severely handicapped so I called beforehand to make sure that it wouldn't be a problem. They said that they would have a wheelchair for her and when we arrived in the rental golf cart they came out to the parking lot greet us and to help bring her in. The pilot was wonderful. He gave a lot of information about the island and answered every question we threw at him. This was my Mom's first helicopter ride and she was comfortable and thrilled. I have been coming to Catalina since I was a kid and I loved seeing the island from a different perspective.I would encourage anyone who has a chance to do this to give it a try and I would like to thank everyone there for making this a trip that neither of us will forget. read more

My fiancé and I took a helicopter to Catalina. It was a great experience. The trip was quick and smooth. Our pilot even flew low over a huge pod of dolphins to give us a little extra. I would choose the helicopter every single time if it were more economical. read more

15 minutes from Long Beach to Catalina via helicopter. Sign a form, and get on the helicopter, and go. Easy. If you really want to impress a date, do this. I recommend you arrive by 4pm, rent a golf cart, explore, have dinner after, and take a boat back. Awesome evening. read more

Make sure you let them know if it's within a week of your birthday or wedding anniversary, you get 20% off! Little pricey but what a fun quick trip it was, highly recommend if you can afford it. read more

Professional and helpful! Enjoyed our rides to and from Catalina.

$200 for 15 minutes (and that's WITH the birthday discount), and we LOVED IT! Yes, it's pricey to do all the time but a fun way to splurge and have a great experience getting to (or from) Catalina. Will do again. read more

Best customer service! The staff is so kind and wonderful! Made me feel like I was VIP from the moment I walked in the door! I would highly recommend their services!! Grant, and the front desk (I will spell it wrong but maybe Ephiram?? So so sorry if that is incorrect) were so kind, very impressive customer care! Made sure I was taken care of the whole time! And the pilot Jarrod was awesome! Great smooth flight! I just found out there is a package to heli in and go to the spa for a massage! I want to book that one next! Thanks so much! read more

My wife's birthday present. April 23rd, 2019. Round trip fare, Long Beach to Avalon and back. Stuck in LA traffic on the way in. Still was only 5 minutes late (was there 25 minutes prior to departure) , but was worried, and so called ahead. Was told if we were any later, we would have to take a later flight for full fair (would loose our current payment). OK, fair enough, I get the "on-time" or loose out rule. Anyway, flight there was great. Pilot was professional, and interacted with passengers (4 of us). Had a booked 4:15 return flight back to Long Beach. Was there in plenty of time and even checked in around 2 pm and told the agent we would wait in Buffalo Nickel just 30 feet away (in the same lot as the heliport). Well before flight time, the agent came in and told us our flight was cancelled due to fog/haze, according the the pilot. Was clear as a bell, and so was confused, but was told we had 6 minutes to get back to Avalon to get on the last boat out back to Long Beach, otherwise we were staying the night. No time to argue, and so the guy at Buffalo Nickle gave us a free ride to the ferry (thanks guy). Road the boat back... over an hour. Clear and beautiful the whole way back... not a cloud in the sky. Then had to take a taxi from the ferry to get back to Island Express to pick up our car. Back at the Long Beach heliport, I went in to talk the the agents and explained that the weather was nice the whole way back, and so what gives? Only reply was "pilots discretion". Right... OK, so please refund half my fare and the $15 taxi ride to get to the heliport. Nope... we don't refund taxi fares, that is on you. Only refund the flight costs. Really? read more