Are you tired of doing the same thing for Thanksgiving, year after year? If you want to get out of the house and do something different, then it's time to take a look at airplane tours at the Grand Canyon. These tours leave from Las Vegas and Arizona, and they're the most affordable way to see the Canyon formations from the air.
Whether you're staying in Vegas, or if you're closer to Tusayan in Arizona, there will be a good tour for you. Flights depart on thanksgiving day and every other day of the year, with Christmas Day being the only day when tour operators shut down.
Before you take a look at the flights that are available, just remember that it's going to be a busy time of year. This means that you'll need to book your tickets in advance, and for thanksgiving, that means booking in within the next week. The longer you leave it, the higher the chance will be of tickets selling out. While you can sometimes get tickets on short notice, it's simply not worth the risk of missing out.
Flying Over the South Rim
While the West Rim is the most popular destination, there are still plenty of reasons to go to the South Rim instead. For those that are close to Arizona, this will be the most convenient tour, but even if you're coming from Vegas it only takes a one-hour flight to reach Tusayan.
The tour that I recommend is the 50-minute airplane ride. This starts from the South Rim airport, heads to the North Rim, and also goes out to the eastern boundary of the Grand Canyon National park. It's the most comprehensive airplane tour available, because it covers around 75% of the entire park. You'll get to see awesome views like the Colorado River Confluence, and you'll even fly through the widest and deepest section of the Grand Canyon, known as the Dragoon Corridor.
West Rim Flights
The West Rim is more commercialized and is busier than the South Rim, but it's still well worth a visit. There are magnificent views available from the air, and you can even improve your tour by choosing to land at the West Rim. If you choose one of the landing flights, then you can add on some additional features to your tour.
My favorite is a helicopter ride that goes to the bottom of the Canyon. This will take you on a slow descent, before you disembark just next to the Colorado River. If you have the budget for it, you can also include a river boat ride, which lets you see the Canyon from an entirely new perspective.
Even at the top of the rim there is plenty to do. You can walk to some of the key lookout points in the area, or you could even check out the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Make sure that you book the Skywalk package when you book your plane ticket, because this will give you VIP access to the impressive glass and steel platform. That means that you won't have to wait in line, and that will give you more time to check out the rest of the area. I love the Skywalk because of the thrill and the view that it gives you. It's a whopping 4000ft above the bottom of the Canyon, and it extends around 70ft over the edge. There's nothing quite like it anywhere else at either the West or South Rim.
Airplanes
The plane you fly in is specially designed for sightseeing, and has oversized viewing windows so that you don't miss anything from the air. The wings are mounted above the windows, so it doesn't matter what seat you have, you'll always get a great view. If you are travelling in a group, then airplane tours could be ideal, because they can seat up to 18 passengers. There is even a recorded tour narration, and it's available in ten languages.
Conclusion
I could rave about the Grand Canyon all day, but nothing would compare to actually getting out to Las Vegas, and then jumping on a plane and seeing it for yourself. Whether you choose the South Rim or the West Rim, you're in for an unforgettable journey, just don't forget to choose the add-on packages that you want to make the trip extra special. Book early, book online, and confirm with your credit card, and you'll be set for a Thanksgiving that will be quite unlike any others before it.
Martin Wynn
