Visiting the Grand Canyon is a humbling experience, but seeing it from the air takes the grandeur to a whole new level. There are a few different air tours you can take at the Grand Canyon, but some of the best, when it comes to economy and the experience, are the flyover tours.
Grand Canyon Helicopters depart from both Las Vegas and Tusayan, Arizona, and you can book a flight at any time of the year.
Leaving from Las Vegas
Taking a flyover tour from Las Vegas will offer you a few extra sights on your way to the Canyon. The route passes over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, both of which sit on the Colorado River. Flights last around three hours, so there's plenty of value for your money.
Flights come in both basic and deluxe. Basic flights leave from Boulder City on the outskirts of Las Vegas, whereas deluxe flights take off directly from The Strip. Deluxe flights also offer limousine shuttle rides from your hotel to the air pad, and back again.
South Rim Arizona Tours
If you choose to depart from Arizona there are two flyover tours available. One is a shorter 30 minute tour, while the second tour lasts for around 50 minutes. Because Tusayan is right outside the National Park, you won't spend time in the air travelling to the Canyon, so although the tours seem shorter than the Vegas tours, you can actually see more of the Canyon.
Both tours go from the South Rim, to the North Rim and back. However, the 50 minute tour offers a detour in the middle that will take you right out to the eastern side of the Grand Canyon National Park. This allows you to see almost 75% of the Grand Canyon, which not many people can claim to have done.
Like the Vegas tours, Grand Canyon Helicopter tours from the South Rim come in basic and deluxe packages.
If you're in Vegas but want to take a South Rim tour, there are direct plane flights to the South Rim, from where you can transfer to a helicopter for the flyover.
Helicopters – Basic vs Deluxe
The key difference between basic and deluxe is the type of hardware that you will be flying in. Deluxe tours offer the ultra-modern EcoStar 130 helicopter. This is a chopper that has been designed specifically for observation and air tours, and because of this it comes with a number of benefits over the basic ranger helicopters.
Inside the cabin is stadium style seating that allows for unobstructed views from any seat, and its key feature is a 180 degree wrap around windshield. In addition to prime viewing, the EcoStar is also quiet inside and resistant to turbulence in the air. Overall, deluxe tours offer the best view with the most comfortable ride.
Book as Early as You Can
Flights are in demand all year round, and they can sell out quickly. It's essential to book at least two weeks prior to the day you want to fly. A good rule of thumb is to make your Grand Canyon helicopter tour bookings just as soon as you have confirmed your hotel arrangements.
I recommend that you book online because this will provide you with the best rates, and confirmation of flight schedules.
Conclusion
Flyovers, or air-only tours, are a great way to see the Canyon without overspending for landing tours. If you're on a tight budget but don't want to sacrifice on the experience of seeing the canyon from a helicopter, then a flyover tour is your best option.
Remember to book early, and book online. Whether you choose Arizona or Vegas, you can bet that you'll leave with memories that you can keep for life.
Martin Wynn
