The Gift They Will Still Talk About in Ten Years
Giving a Helicopter Tour in Salt Lake City
Every year it is the same puzzle. The people you love most already have the gadgets, the sweaters, and the candles. Another thing in a box gets a polite smile, then a drawer.
AA helicopter tour over Salt Lake City is a different kind of gift. It is not something they unwrap and forget. It is a morning they will describe to friends, a photo that ends up on the fridge, and a story that starts with 'remember when you gave me that flight?' Here is how to give one well.
Why experiences make better gifts
This is not just a nice sentiment. Researchers have studied it for two decades.
- Experiences make people happier than things. Psychologists Leaf Van Boven and Thomas Gilovich found that people get more lasting happiness from experiences they buy than from material purchases. Objects fade into the background. Experiences become part of who we are.
- Experience gifts bring people closer. A 2017 study in the Journal of Consumer Research by Cindy Chan and Cassie Mogilner found that experiential gifts strengthen the relationship between giver and recipient more than material gifts do, because of the emotion the experience creates.
- The waiting is part of the joy. Research from Cornell found that people enjoy anticipating an experience more than anticipating a purchase. A gifted flight gives them weeks of looking forward to it.
Who a helicopter tour is perfect for
- Milestone birthdays. A 30th, 50th, or 70th deserves more than dinner.
- Anniversaries. Two seats, one view, and a memory you made together.
- Parents and grandparents. Especially aviation fans and history lovers, who will appreciate our WWII-themed hangar as much as the flight.
- Family visiting for the holidays. Show them why you love living here, all in one flight.
- New Utahns. There is no better way to understand the valley, the mountains, and the lake than seeing how they fit together from above.
Which tour should you gift?
| If they love... | Gift this tour | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The city, landmarks, history | Downtown Salt Lake City (30 min) | Temple Square, the State Capitol, and the city grid against the mountains |
| Hiking, skiing, the outdoors | Wasatch Peaks (30 min) | Up-close ridgelines and canyons they usually see from the trail |
| Wildlife, photography, nature | Antelope Island (30 min) | The Great Salt Lake, the island, and its famous bison herd |
| Big moments, or a bit of everything | Catch All (1 hour) | Downtown, the mountains, the island, and the lake in one flight |
The practical details that make the gift go smoothly
- It is a gift for two (or three). Each booking needs a minimum of 2 people, and the helicopter seats up to 3 passengers. Plan to gift two seats, or a seat for them plus a ticket for you. Shared experiences are exactly what the research above says brings people closer.
- Weights are handled privately. There is a 250 lb limit per seat, and passengers share their weights when they book. You do not need to guess anyone's weight to buy the gift.
- Weather is covered. Flights can be rescheduled up to 12 hours before the scheduled time.
Planning a proposal or anniversary flight?
A helicopter flight over Salt Lake City is one of the most memorable settings for a big question or a big anniversary. Let us know about the occasion when you book so your pilot can help make the moment feel special.
Make a day of it
- Fly, then drive. After the Antelope Island Tour, drive out to the island the next day and see the bison you spotted from the air up close.
- Fly, then dine Pair the Downtown Salt Lake City Tour with dinner downtown, 15 minutes south of our hangar.
- Coming in 2027? The Salt Lake Temple open house runs from April through October 2027 after a renovation that began in 2019. Seeing the restored temple from the air is a memorable addition to a visit.
Frequently asked questions
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Each booking needs at least 2 people and the helicopter seats up to 3 passengers, so the gift is perfect for a couple or a small group of three.
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Your pilot only flies when conditions are right. Flights can be cancelled or rescheduled up to 12 hours before the scheduled time.
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Yes!
Give them the view of a lifetime
The best gifts are the ones people still talk about years later. Choose a route on our [Scenic Tours page](/scenic-tours), [buy a gift certificate], or call us at [(801) 550-9421](tel:8015509421) and we will help you plan the perfect surprise. New to helicopter flights? Share our guide to your first helicopter tour in Salt Lake City with the lucky recipient.