🚁 Best Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours ➡️ Which one to choose?

Is a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon worth it?

In short, yes, but it's not an absolutely essential activity.

The Grand Canyon is one of those places in the world whose immensity is difficult to appreciate from its overlooks. Although the panoramic views from the several viewpoints are spectacular, they’re always partial; it’s only from the air that you can truly grasp the enormous scale of this landscape, the depth of the canyon, and the course of the Colorado River as it winds through the rock walls.

For this reason, a helicopter flight often becomes one of the most memorable experiences of a U.S. Southwest trip. However, it is also one of the most expensive activities you can do, so it’s a good idea to consider whether it fits within your budget and the time you have available.

THE BEST GRAND CANYON
HELICOPTER TOUR

-Starting location: Grand Canyon National Park Airport (Tusayan)

-Duration: 30 min

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Why take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour?

• A unique view of the Grand Canyon. From the air, you can appreciate the park's vastness in a way that's impossible to experience from the overlooks.
• Access to landscapes that are inaccessible by road. Depending on the tour, you'll fly over remote areas of the canyon that can't be seen from the overlooks on the South Rim and North Rim.
• An unforgettable experience. It's one of the most memorable activities in the southwest of the United States.
• Perfect if you're short on time. If you don't have time to explore the national park as it deserves, a flight is a quick way to see the Grand Canyon.
• Perfect for special occasions. It's a very popular activity among couples celebrating their honeymoon, anniversaries, or special trips.

💡Recommended: Things to see and do at the Grand Canyon | Guide + Map |

Why not take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour?

• High price. Flight prices start at $260, but can be significantly higher depending on the duration, the route, or whether you participate in any extra activities.
• Not all flights are the same. It's important to find out exactly what each flight includes and which areas it flies over to avoid disappointment. We'll discuss this in detail throughout this post.
• Subject to weather conditions. Wind, rain, or storms may cause delays or cancellations.
• It might not be worth it on every trip. If you're on a tight budget, you might prefer to spend that money on extending your itinerary to include other national parks or on different activities.

When we recommend this experience?

• Travelers visiting the Grand Canyon for the first time and looking for a unique experience
• People who are short on time
• Couples or families celebrating a special occasion
• When budget isn't an issue
• Photographers

When do we not recommend this activity?

If you're on a tight budget or would rather spend that money on other travel experiences, keep in mind that the Grand Canyon will still amaze you as you explore its overlooks, hike one of its trails, or watch the sunrise and sunset from the South Rim.

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What you need to know before booking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour

To avoid disappointment or blaming yourself for not choosing the right flight, here's a summary of everything you need to know to make your decision:

Not all flights fly over the most spectacular part of the Grand Canyon

The airport from which the flight departs is very important: it can be Las Vegas Strip, Boulder City (30 minutes from Las Vegas), Grand Canyon West, or Grand Canyon National Park Airport (in Tusayan, 5 minutes from the entrance to the South Rim).

The only helicopter flights that fly over Grand Canyon National Park are those departing from Grand Canyon National Park Airport. From here, you’ll fly over part of the South Rim and the North Rim, including the most spectacular stretch—known as the Dragon Corridor —which is considered the deepest and widest part of the canyon. From here, you can also see the vast green expanse of the Kaibab National Forest, with its mix of aspen, fir, and pine trees. Another interesting area is the Zuni Corridor, located further east.

In contrast, tours departing from Las Vegas, Boulder City, or Grand Canyon West focus on the West Rim, an area that is not part of the national park but is managed by the Hualapai Nation.

Here, although the views aren't as spectacular because the canyon is narrower, this is where the famous Skywalk is located (the glass walkway), and it's the only place where helicopters are allowed to land at the bottom of the canyon. In addition, some of the flights operating in this area often include views of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

Here's a brief summary table showing the differences between flights from Las Vegas and the surrounding area and those from the South Rim:

Do the helicopter tours land at the bottom of the canyon?

As we mentioned earlier, landing at the bottom of the canyon is only permitted in the West Rim area, which is not part of the national park. If one of your priorities is to set foot at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, then you’ll need to choose a flight departing from Las Vegas, Boulder City, or Grand Canyon West.

Which is better: a helicopter tour or an airplane tour?

Many travelers are unaware that flights over the Grand Canyon can be taken either by helicopter or by small plane, and there are significant differences between the two.

In general, helicopter tours offer a more immersive, intimate, and exciting experience, since they fly at lower speeds and altitudes and can get closer to the canyon. Additionally, if you book a tour from Las Vegas, Boulder City, or Grand Canyon West, only a helicopter can land at the bottom of the canyon. On the other hand, helicopter flights are more expensive, generally shorter, and cover less distance.

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The airplane is a more economical option and ideal for those on a tight budget, as it can accommodate more people (up to 19 passengers). Since they fly at higher altitudes and faster speeds, they may not offer quite as immersive an experience, but they certainly allow for longer flights and a broader view of the canyon.

In this table, you can quickly see the differences between the two options:

Plan your time carefully

When booking a helicopter tour, it's easy to focus solely on the flight duration, but it's important to keep in mind that the entire experience is usually much longer, since it includes all of the following:

• Transfer to the airport. If you’re driving your own vehicle, you can estimate the time more accurately, but some companies offer a transfer to the airport from which the flight departs (usually included in the price). In this case, you’ll need to factor in the time it takes to pick up all the passengers along the way.
• Check-in. You should check in about 30–45 minutes before your flight departs; your documents and belongings will be checked at that time.
• Weighing passengers. When you book the tour, you’re usually asked to provide your weight, but even so, all passengers are weighed before boarding the helicopter. This is done to properly distribute the weight inside the helicopter and ensure flight safety.
• Safety briefing. Before boarding, all airlines explain basic safety rules, how to use the headphones, and what to do during the flight.
• Disembarkation. Once the tour is over, you'll return to the terminal, where you can purchase photos or souvenirs of the experience if you'd like.
• Return trip.

Therefore, for a basic 30-minute flight, you should expect the tour to last at least 2.5 to 3 hours in total, so you should plan the rest of your day accordingly.

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Is it possible to choose the seats on the helicopter?

One of the most common questions is whether it will be possible to choose a seat in advance or if arriving early for check-in will give you more options for choosing a window seat.

The answer is that in the vast majority of cases, no—since all companies assign seats before takeoff, taking into account each passenger's weight. Thus, for each flight, the seating distribution varies depending on the passengers on board in order to properly balance the helicopter, all for safety reasons.

You should also keep in mind that for groups, they try to seat members as close together as possible, but it's possible that someone may end up separated from the rest if the weight distribution requires it.

💡 What you can do is indicate your preference both when booking your tour and when checking in. This way, although it’s not guaranteed, if the helicopter’s balance allows it, the vast majority of companies will try to accommodate these requests. In some cases, it’s also possible to pay a supplement to sit in the front seat next to the pilot.

Which seats offer the best views?

The truth is that all the seats offer excellent views, since the helicopters used for these sightseeing flights have large panoramic windows. In addition, during the tour, the pilot usually makes slight turns to both sides so that all passengers can enjoy the main scenic views.

For this reason, even though a window seat might seem like the ideal choice, it's no big deal if you end up sitting somewhere else.

Which helicopter tour company should you choose?

Although there are others, there are two main companies that offer flights over the Grand Canyon: Papillon and Maverick. For this reason, the tours we’re going to recommend are from these two companies, and while you’re sure to be satisfied no matter which one you choose, it’s worth knowing some of the differences between them:

• Papillon:
  • Oldest company
  • Departures from 4 airports (Las Vegas Strip, Boulder City, Grand Canyon West, and Grand Canyon National Park)
  • A wider variety of tours (you can add boat rides on the Colorado River, Hummer land tours, a visit to the Skywalk, etc.)
  • More affordable tours
  • It offers airplane flights
  • For cancellations or date changes, an additional fee must be paid at the time of booking
• Maverick:
  • Youngest company
  • Departures from 3 airports (Las Vegas Strip, Grand Canyon West, and Grand Canyon National Park)
  • Fewer tour options
  • There are no airplane flights available
  • Tours are generally more expensive due to their premium focus and luxury helicopters (Airbus EC130 EcoStar)
  • Free cancellation option up to 72 hours in advance with no additional charge

Which Grand Canyon helicopter tour should you choose?

Believe it or not, there are tons of helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon, depending on the departure airport, the flight duration, whether or not there’s a landing, whether the flight is combined with another activity, and so on.

In this summary table, you can see the best tours for every type of situation, based on what they include and their cost. We've done the legwork on all the available tours so you don't have to waste time researching them yourself. To give you an idea, Papillon has more than 20 and Maverick has 8! ☺️

Best helicopter tours by departure point

To help you even more in making your decision, we're going to categorize the tours based on their departure location. That way, if you already know where you want to start, it will be much easier for you to choose.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours from Las Vegas

• 🎡Perfect if you're staying in Las Vegas and don't plan on going to the South Rim
• ⭐They fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Mojave Desert, and Las Vegas Strip
• 📍They focus on the West Rim of the Grand Canyon
• 🚁They are allowed to land at the bottom of the canyon
• 🧲Option to visit the Skywalk and the other attractions at Grand Canyon West
• 🚤Option to take a boat tour on the Colorado River

🚁 Book one of these tours if you'd like to...

-Land at the bottom of the canyon ➡️ Kings of Canyon Papillon

-Land at the bottom of the canyon and watch the sunset ➡️ Wind Dancer Sunset Maverick

-Also visit Grand Canyon West with the Skywalk ➡️ Skywalk Odyssey Maverick

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours from Boulder City

• ⭐They fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Mojave Desert
• ❌They do not fly over Las Vegas Strip
• 📍They focus on the West Rim (although some tours go to the national park)
• 🚁They are allowed to land at the bottom of the canyon
• 🧲Option to visit the Skywalk and the other attractions at Grand Canyon West
• 🚤Option to take a boat tour on the Colorado River

🚁 Book one of these tours if you'd like to...

-Land at the bottom of the canyon, watch the sunset, and visit the rim ➡️ Grand Celebration Sunset Papillon

-Land and take a boat ride on the Colorado River ➡️ Grand Voyager Rim to River Papillon

-Visit the national park and take a Hummer tour along the canyon rim ➡️ Grand Canyon Air Tour Deluxe + Hummer Papillon

-Land, take a boat ride on the river, and visit Grand Canyon West with the Skywalk ➡️ Grand Voyager Rim to River & Skywalk Papillon 

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours from the South Rim

• ⭐Fly over the national park (South Rim and North Rim), including the Dragon Corridor
• 🚁They are not allowed to land at the bottom of the canyon
• 🚗Option to visit the rim of the canyon on a Hummer tour
• 🧲There is no option to visit Grand Canyon West with the Skywalk
• 🚤There are no boat tours on the Colorado River

🚁 Book one of these tours if you're looking for...

-The most affordable helicopter tour ➡️ Papillon Canyon Classic 

-The longest helicopter tour ➡️ Grand Kingdom Papillon 

-The longest luxury helicopter tour ➡️ Canyon Spirit Maverick 

-Airplane flight ➡️ Grand Discovery Air Tour Papillon 

-Also take a Hummer tour along the rim of the canyon ➡️ North Grand Canyon & Hummer Papillon

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours from Grand Canyon West

• ⭐They fly exclusively over the West Rim
• ❌They do not fly over the Strip, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Mojave Desert, or the national park
• 🚁They are allowed to land at the bottom of the canyon
• 🧲Option to visit the Skywalk and the other attractions at Grand Canyon West
• 🚤Option to take a boat tour on the Colorado River

🚁 Book one of these tours if you'd like to...

-Land at the bottom of the canyon ➡️ Grand Canyon Discovery Maverick

-Fly in a small plane along the West Rim ➡️ Flight of the Condor Papillon

-Land and take a boat ride on the Colorado River ➡️ Over the Edge Helicopter & Boat Papillon 

Tips for your helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon

Make a note of these things to know before flying so your experience will be perfect:

1. The color of your clothes is important

Reflections are the biggest nightmare on tours like this. Nobody wants a great photo of the Grand Canyon from the air with reflections from clothes or accessories, right?

For this reason, if you plan to take photos or record videos during the flight (which you surely will), we recommend wearing a T-shirt, sweatshirt, or jacket in black, dark gray, or navy blue.

Light colors—especially white, yellow, or very bright shades—reflect more light off the helicopter’s windows and may appear in photographs, particularly when the sun is shining directly. It’s also important to avoid T-shirts or jackets with large white logos, clothing made of very shiny or satin fabrics, highly reflective watches, and metal bracelets.

2. If you want to take the best photos...

It's not just your clothes and accessories that matter—it's also how you take your photo or video.

Ideally, you should bring the lens or smartphone as close as possible to the glass, but without actually touching it. This will reduce reflections without transmitting the helicopter's vibrations to the camera.

And above all: make sure your camera or cell phone has enough battery life (and, if possible, bring extra batteries or a power bank). You’re going to use your device a lot, and the last thing you want is to run out of battery halfway through the tour 😉

3. Don't forget to bring all of this

Please note that large backpacks are not allowed on helicopter flights; they are only allowed on light aircraft flights (although they are always weighed). It’s best to pack as little as possible—only the essentials—such as:

• Cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Water bottle (this is usually the only drink allowed)
• Comfortable shoes, especially if you choose a flight that lands at the bottom of the canyon
• Lightweight clothing if you're flying in the summer
• A hat, scarf, and warm clothes if your flight is in the winter
• Cell phone, camera, and extra batteries
• Passport or ID card

4. Book in advance

We recommend booking in advance and not leaving this activity until the last minute, especially if you plan to do it between April and October, since the most popular tours tend to sell out several days in advance.

FAQs about Grand Canyon helicopter tours

What is the best helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon?

There isn't a single "best" tour, as it depends on your itinerary. If you're visiting the South Rim, the flights that depart from Grand Canyon National Park Airport offer the best views of the national park. On the other hand, if you’re staying in Las Vegas and don’t plan to drive to the South Rim, a tour to the West Rim that lands at the bottom of the canyon is usually the best option.

How much does a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon cost?

It depends a lot on the departure point, the flight duration, whether or not there’s a landing at the bottom of the canyon, or whether it’s combined with another activity such as a boat ride, the Skywalk, or a land tour to visit lookouts. In any case, the cheapest price you can get is around $260 (plus taxes), although small plane flights are less expensive.

Is a helicopter flight or an airplane flight better?

The helicopter offers a more immersive experience, as it flies at a lower altitude and allows you to see the canyon’s terrain much more closely. In addition, some tours include a landing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, something that isn’t possible in a small plane. On the other hand, small plane flights are usually more affordable and allow you to cover greater distances, making them an excellent alternative as well.

Is it worth paying to land at the bottom?

Yes, especially considering that reaching the bottom of the canyon on foot requires a great deal of physical effort and time, in addition to enduring the high temperatures during the hottest months. Keep in mind that only guided tours at the West Rim allow for a landing; in the national park, flights are strictly scenic.

What's the difference between Papillon and Maverick?

Both companies, which are the industry leaders, have an excellent reputation and offer spectacular tours. We’d recommend Papillon if you’re looking for the widest variety of tours and activities and are on a tighter budget. We’d recommend Maverick if you prioritize a more exclusive and comfortable flying experience, even if it means fewer tour options.

Is it better to depart from Las Vegas or from the South Rim?

It depends on where you are during your trip. If you’re visiting the National Park, it’s best to book a flight departing from the South Rim, since it flies over the Dragon Corridor, considered the most spectacular section of the Grand Canyon. Tours departing from Las Vegas usually head to the West Rim and are notable for including experiences such as landing at the bottom of the canyon, a boat ride, or a visit to the Skywalk.

What's the best time to take a helicopter tour?

Early morning flights usually offer a calmer atmosphere, better visibility, and more pleasant temperatures, especially in the summer. Sunset flights, on the other hand, let you watch as the light bathes the walls of the Grand Canyon in reddish hues and are one of the most popular options for those seeking a particularly photogenic experience.

Can children get on the helicopter?

Yes. Children can take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, although conditions vary by company. Generally, children under 2 years old can travel for free if they sit on an adult’s lap. Children 2 years and older usually occupy their own seat and pay the corresponding fare. If you’re traveling with infants, check with the company beforehand.

Can pregnant women board the helicopter?

There are usually no restrictions on helicopter flights because they fly at low altitudes, but it's always a good idea to consult a medical specialist. For light aircraft flights, a doctor's authorization is usually required for pregnant women in their third trimester.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Since safety is always the top priority, if weather conditions make flying impossible, the company may delay the departure or cancel the activity, offering an alternative date or issuing a refund.

Can you take the flight on the same day you visit the park?

Yes, you can combine both experiences in a single day. Although your visit to the park will be a bit short, this way you'll get to see the Grand Canyon from both the air and the ground.

Which side of the helicopter has the best views?

Since seats are assigned before the flight based on passenger weight, the sightseeing helicopters used at the Grand Canyon feature large panoramic windows designed to offer great views from any seat. In addition, during the tour, the pilot usually makes slight turns so that all passengers can admire the main sights.

How long does the helicopter tour actually last?

Classic sightseeing flights typically last between 25 and 45 minutes, although some last longer because they cover a longer route. However, keep in mind that the entire experience includes transportation, check-in, the safety briefing, and boarding.

We hope this ultimate guide helps you choose your Grand Canyon helicopter tour!