Personally, I think the best way to see the true majesty of the canyon is from the air. The flights to the Grand Canyon are exhilarating, and the views are second to none! Las Vegas helicopters fly to the canyon 365 days a year, including holidays. Here is some information on what to expect with one of these tours:
First of all, Las Vegas is a great starting point for Grand Canyon helicopter tours. The selection is amazing, seats are pretty easy to come by (more on that later), the value is high, and the prices are reasonable. Many Las Vegas helicopter packages come with free Strip hotel pickup and drop-off, either via a shuttle bus or an actual limousine.
If your budget allows it, I recommend checking out the upgrades and VIP packages on offer. Several things make the upgrade worthwhile, at least for me. I think having more airtime is the biggest benefit, but the type of helicopter that luxury tours use is a close second. Almost all of the upgraded tours use EcoStar 130 helicopters. Here’s what makes that important:
- Stadium-style seating with all seats facing forward
- Superior temperature control, whether you need heat or air
- A 180 degree panoramic wraparound windshield for excellent visibility
- A cabin 25% larger than other helicopters
Most Las Vegas helicopters take off from nearby airfields in Henderson or Boulder City. Tours that start there are often cheaper than Grand Canyon flights that depart from terminals right on the Strip. Most of them are sunset flights or helicopter rides over the Strip, and are generally more expensive than flights from the Las Vegas suburbs.
The views
Vegas helicopters only fly to the West Rim (the South Rim is too far). They all fly over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before arriving west of the Grand Canyon. Air-only flights show you the Rim itself, the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and the Colorado River. Landing courses set out on the canyon floor for a champagne picnic, or stay at the top so you can explore Rim highlights like Eagle Point and Guano Point.
Booking
Always book your tours online, directly from the tour company’s website. That is where you will always find the best rates. Avoid buying through intermediary sites like Expedia, Viator or Priceline because they will charge you a fee.
Tour companies own and run the tours, and offer the best discounts. Be sure to complete your transaction on the online reservation form; If you do, you’ll qualify for a deep internet discount, but if you don’t, you’ll pay full price.
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Flights to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas are a great way to see the sights. All of these helicopters head west of the Grand Canyon, but there are fabulous air and landing tours to choose from. I like the landing tours better because you get a fuller canyon experience. Helicopter tours are popular and seats sell out quickly, so book your flight at least a week in advance.
Finally, buy your tickets online, directly from the tour company. You can save a ton of cash that way as long as you complete your purchase on their website: that way you’ll qualify for the special internet rate.
