Who are the Best Grand Canyon South Rim Helicopter Tour Operators?

The Grand Canyon South Rim is the most famous area of the National Park. From the Dragoon Corridor and the Kaibab Plateau to the Colorado River and the North Rim, this region is a veritable treasure trove of natural beauty. And the best way to see it all? By helicopter, of course. To help you get airborne, here's my list of the top 3 tour operators that offer flights out of Grand Canyon Airport. Fly any of them and you're in for the experience of a lifetime!

#1

Papillon Helicopters (Hot!) Papillon is the South Rim's largest operator of helicopter tours. Their terminal is huge and their passenger lounge is comfortable. The most popular trip is the basic rim-to-rim trip. Flight time is 30 minutes. The deluxe comes with more airtime and includes the EcoStar 130, a state-of-the-art aircraft that boasts 25% percent more cabin space. Papillon's prices are the cheapest. More information

#2

Maverick Helicopters (Luxury!) Maverick's tours are more geared to the luxury traveler. Its entire fleet is comprised of EcoStar 130s, which, in addition to larger cabins, come with theater-style seats and 180-degree, wraparound windshields. The company excels in private charters, weddings and large groups. Flights through the Dragoon Corridor are its specialty. Customer service is off the charts! More information

#3

Grand Canyon Helicopters I really enjoy flying Grand Canyon. Their modest air terminal brings back the nostalgia and uniqueness of flying the South Rim. They fly only EcoStars. The trip from passenger lounge to chopper is like 25 paces. Their take-offs are quick as they are located at the end of the tarmac. Pilots are well versed in the local geography. Pricing is competitive and they often run specials. More information

Rim-to-Rim Bliss!

The average South Rim helicopter flight lasts 30 minutes. That's plenty of airtime. The airspace above the National Park is strictly regulated, so all choppers pretty much follow the same flight plan.

Elevation at take off is 7,000 feet. Flights start out above the Kaibab Plateau before leaving the edge and entering the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the canyon. The bird's eye view of spires, buttes, and the river below is amazing.

Want to Fly? RSVP

I urge you to book your helicopter tour in advance. There's more demand than supply, especially during summer. This is going to get worse as the National Park Service is set to reduce the number of flights per day!

Further exacerbating this are the helicopters themselves. They can only seat six people plus the pilot. Travelers that max out the weight limit, usually between 275 and 300 pounds, must purchase an two seats!

Save Money? Purchase Online

I get a lot of email from readers asking me if it's cheaper to buy a helicopter tour at the destination. No. Visitors are rewarded with discounts if they book ahead of time. The savings really start to pile on if you complete the transaction online. Papillon, from my experience, regularly offers discounted trips.

What's the Best Time to Fly?

In the morning. Earlier the better. This is because the air is smooth (e.g. no turbulence) and visibility is optimal; dust begins to creep in as the day progresses. The earliest flight is the one that leaves at sunrise, and it costs extra.

Get Airborne?

Grand Canyon South Rim is comprised of more than a million acres. If you're at the canyon for a couple of days, you'll only scratch the surface. This can be remedied by taking a South Rim helicopter flight. Choose from any of my Top 3 and you can't go wrong. Just remember to bring a fully charged camera. The photo opportunities are phenomenal.

Make it a grand day!

P.S. More flights? Go here for full selection of Grand Canyon helicopter tours.