By Kate Bartlett
Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours has been operating in Niagara Falls since 1995. Their expert pilots and meticulously maintained helicopters are guided by a team that has been highly respected in the aviation community for over 35 years. Their classic tour offers breathtaking views of the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls, and everyone is guaranteed a window seat on their current 4-passenger aircraft.
Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours is temporarily operating from the Niagara Falls International Airport, as they build their new location set to open in 2025. The current airport location extends the length of the tour, offering breathtaking views from 3,000 feet in the air of the Upper Niagara River, Rainbow Bridge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Goat Island, Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, Queen Victoria Park, Clifton Hill and more. You get the full panoramic Canadian view of the Falls without having to cross the border, since nearly half the flight is in Canadian airspace. Tours operate until the end of October. Extended tours are available upon request for an additional fee.
Construction is underway on the privately funded $15 million Rainbow Air Tourism Center, located on Acheson Road just outside downtown Niagara Falls. The new 30,000-square-foot facility will be a new state-of-the-art year-round tourism draw able to service more passengers on the American side of Niagara Falls. “We’re so excited by the progress we’ve made with construction already,” says Patrick Keyes, Sales and Marketing Manager. “We think having a multi-purpose, year-round tourist attraction in Niagara Falls is going to be a game changer, and we hope to strengthen the Falls’ place as a destination for people from all over the world.”
Bartlett with family ready
to board Rainbow Air.
The new Tourism Center will include a gallery with 11 custom-designed Virtual Reality simulators that will give guests the unique experience of parasailing over Niagara Falls. This high-tech indoor element will be a year-round attraction for adventurers looking to stay on the ground while still experiencing excitement over the Falls.
Rainbow Air will also be upgrading its fleet with brand new Airbus H130 helicopters, which seat seven passengers plus the pilot, providing faster, more comfortable service to more passengers. Airbus is an industry leader in reducing helicopter noise, and focuses on cutting noise impact in cities. The interiors are quiet enough for an audio tour to be played on speakers in the cabin, with translations into several languages for international guests. Huge windows and stadium-style seating will ensure everyone has a full view of their exciting new flight path that will present the Falls from every angle.
The new Rainbow Air Tourism Center will provide all of the comforts one expects from a modern tourist attraction, including a spacious and welcoming entry and ticketing area, ample restrooms, a gift and souvenir shop with convenience food and drink items available, and a souvenir photo studio. An Aviation Heritage area will include a real helicopter and other artifacts to showcase the many inventions and advancements in aviation and space travel made in Niagara Falls.
The team at Rainbow Air is excited to open the new Tourism Center in May of 2025, but the current location does give an extended tour over Niagara Falls that will end this fall. “Being at the Niagara Falls International Airport offers guests a longer look at the city and how the calm-looking Niagara River transitions to the Falls,” remarks Patrick. “At the new site, the ride is going to be more compact, but the views will still be amazing.”
With connections in the Ellicottville area, Patrick especially invites readers to come to their current location and book a tour – ask for the 716 rate and save 20%! “I’ve spent most of my weekends in West Valley for 50 years, and I’ve spent plenty of time in Ellicottville,” says Patrick. “I think Rainbow Air is something people in E’ville would really enjoy for the beauty and the excitement of the helicopter ride. I have plenty of fond memories in the village, and I think we can make lasting memories in the Falls too.”
For more information visit https://www.rainbowairinc.com/ or call (716) 284-2800 and follow The Villager for upcoming releases on their new location.