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

Las Vegas Helicopter rides to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon are now a must-do for Vegas visitors. The popularity of these trips has not gone unnoticed by tour operators, who are springing up like mushrooms to capitalize on demand. What does this mean to you? Well, on one hand, it keeps prices in check. On the other, it fosters fly-by-nights offering mediocre trips. To help you get the canyon air tour of your dreams, here's my list of the Top 3 West Rim helicopter companies.

#1

Papillon Helicopters (Best Seller!) Looking for a great West Rim helicopter tour at a fantastic price? Fly Papillon? This company is the largest Grand Canyon sightseeing company. The variety of their trips is staggering. Combo packages include Colorado River boat rides, Skywalk passes and El Dorado Canyon adventures. West Rim is the only place you can land on the bottom, and Papillon gets you there in style by including a Champagne toast! More information

#2

Maverick Helicopters (5-Star Service!) Want luxury? Go Maverick. Their fleet is comprised entirely of EcoStar 130 helicopters. These aircraft are state-of-the-art and come with wraparound windshields and front-facing, theater-style seats. Maverick excels at weddings, groups and corporate events. Customer service is off the hook. The terminal is right off the Vegas Strip, which cuts down transfer time. Prices are up there, but it's definitely a case of getting what you pay for. More information

#3

Grand Canyon Helicopters (Best-Kept Secret!) This company built its reputation on word of mouth. Most of its business comes from people who've already flown them, including me. Grand Canyon Helicopters uses EcoStars and flies the ever-popular West Rim bottom landing tour. Their trips are priced to move and their website is easy to use. If I'm ever unable to get seats on Papillon and Maverick, I use Grand Canyon. I'm always impressed with the quality of their tours and their friendly, efficient staff. More information

Best Time to Fly?

The best time to take a helicopter tour is in the morning. Or, put another way, anything before lunch. It's in the a.m. that you'll get the best visibility and the smoothest ride. As the day progresses, smoke, haze and dust enter the picture. Further, as the sun starts to heat the ground, you get choppier air. If you're not a morning person, I suggest the sunset flight, for which you'll pay a bit extra.

Should I Buy My Tour in Vegas?

No! You'll get gauged. Tour operators feast on folks who fail to plan ahead. I always tell friends and family to RSVP their seats at least a week in advance. Helicopters are now one of Vegas' most popular day trips and regularly sell out. Further, choppers only hold six people plus the pilot, which adds additional pressure on

How to Get a Great Deal

It starts by booking ahead of time. The more time you get ahead of the curve, the more money you'll save. The other factor is purchasing seats online. It's absolutely the only way to go. I now regularly save up to 35 percent on helicopter tours, especially at Papillon. My other picks have specials, but not as frequent or as good. Tip: Make sure to print out and bring your confirmation email with you (or file it away on your mobile phone).

Let's Get Airborne

Grand Canyon helicopter tours to the West Rim are an excellent way to experience this Seventh Wonder of the World. Choppers are exciting, fly at a lower altitude than airplanes and go places ground transportation can't. More travelers are waking up to this fact, and tour operators are taking notice. Be careful with whom you book your flight with. Any of my Top 3 is an excellent choice. Then prepare for an air tour that will take you into the heart of the canyon!

Make it a grand day!

P.S. For more tour operator info, check out my Grand Canyon helicopter tour reviews.