About Us

Island Express Helicopters is a family run business that has been operating tours, charters and exclusive Catalina Island trips for 25 years. The operation began in 1982 serving only Catalina Island and that first month carried 31 passengers with John Moore, the previous owner, answering phones, flying the helicopter, and delivering the passengers by van into Avalon. At this time, besides our Catalina Island operation, we service all of Southern California with exclusive use heliports at the Queen Mary in Long Beach and the Catalina Cruise terminal in San Pedro. We fly 3 six-passenger helicopters that are turbine powered, sound proofed, with leather interior for comfort. We also maintain our own maintenance facility with 3 mechanics at Long Beach Airport.

We have a total of 21 employees, including 4 pilots who are all previous flight instructors. Our operations also include servicing the offshore oil platforms in Huntington Beach and off Long Beach, movies, commercials, location scouting, land searches and of course our tour and charter business.

We fly approximately 3200 hours a year from our heliport at the Queen Mary. The business office is located on Catalina where the employees enjoy what they do, which shows in their interaction with our customers and clients.

Come fly with Island Express for your tour, charter, Catalina Island trip or a customized, private flight. Contact us online or call us for more information at 1-800-2-AVALON (800-228-2566).

Long Beach - Year Round

To the Long Beach Heliport, follow the Long Beach Freeway (710) south and follow the signs that say Queen Mary. Upon approaching the parking lot at the Queen Mary remain to the right and the signs that say heliport. As you take your parking ticket look straight ahead and we are about 100 yards down the road. If parking is available in front you are welcome, if not leave your luggage and proceed to the Queen Mary lot adjacent to us.

San Pedro - Seasonal

To the San Pedro heliport, take Harbor Freeway South (110), to the Terminal Island-Long Beach exit to Harbor Blvd. Follow signs to Catalina Terminal entrance across Harbor Blvd. From Long Beach take Ocean Blvd. West to the Harbor Blvd. exit from the Vincent Thomas Bridge.