From the rim, the Grand Canyon is a view. From the air, it is a landscape: side canyons, buttes and the thread of the Colorado River unfold beneath you, and for the first time you understand how big it really is. For many visitors a flight is the highlight of the whole trip.
Two very different kinds of flight
- From the South Rim (Tusayan): short flights of about 30 to 50 minutes over Grand Canyon National Park, crossing the deepest and widest part of the canyon. Because of federal rules over the park, these flights follow set corridors and do not land in the canyon.
- From Las Vegas or at Grand Canyon West: flights to the West Rim on Hualapai land, where helicopters can land on the canyon floor near the river — often with champagne, a picnic or a boat ride. From Vegas they also fly over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and some return over the Strip.
The best flights
Scenic helicopter flight from US$269 Grand Canyon 30-Min Helicopter Flight + Hummer Tour Option
The classic South Rim flight: a half-hour loop from the heliport in Tusayan out over the Kaibab Forest and across the canyon, with thousands of reviews behind it. Flights over the national park stay above the rim and follow set air corridors, so this is a sightseeing flight, not a landing tour. Add the Hummer option to see the rim viewpoints on the ground afterwards.
- Flight over the national park from Tusayan, just outside the South Rim
- Optional guided Hummer tour along the rim
- The most-reviewed Grand Canyon flight on GetYourGuide
Scenic helicopter flight from US$359 Grand Canyon National Park: South Rim Scenic Helicopter Tour
A longer flight from Tusayan that crosses the Kaibab National Forest and then flies through the Dragon Corridor, where the canyon is at its widest and deepest. On a clear day the route takes in distant views of the Painted Desert and Marble Canyon. One of the highest-rated flights at the South Rim.
- Longer route over the Dragon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the canyon
- Views towards the Painted Desert and Desert View Watchtower
- Frequent departures through the day
Scenic helicopter flight from US$359 50-Min Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight + Hummer Tour Option
The longer version of the Tusayan helicopter flight, with more time over the deepest and widest stretch of the canyon. As with every flight inside the national park, the helicopter stays above the rim; combine it with the optional Hummer tour to visit the viewpoints in person.
- Extended flight over the deepest and widest part of the South Rim
- Kaibab Forest views on the way out
- Optional guided Hummer tour on the ground
Helicopter flight with landing from US$549 Vegas: Grand Canyon Helicopter Landing Tour and Champagne
One of the highest-rated helicopter tours from Las Vegas (4.9 from over a thousand reviews): fly out over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, land inside Grand Canyon West for champagne and snacks, and see the Strip from the air.
- Flight from Las Vegas into the canyon
- Landing on Hualapai land below the rim
- Champagne and snacks by the river
Helicopter flight with landing from US$529 Grand Canyon Helicopter Landing Tour with Las Vegas Transfer
The signature Las Vegas splurge: fly from Vegas to Grand Canyon West, descend some 3,200 feet below the rim and toast with champagne beside the Colorado River before flying back. Nearly two thousand reviews.
- Flight over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Colorado River
- Landing on a plateau near the river at Grand Canyon West
- About 30 minutes on the ground with champagne and a light picnic
Helicopter flight with landing from US$529 Grand Canyon Helicopter Landing and Picnic with Vegas Strip
A very similar format to the other landing tours — Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, a canyon-floor landing with a picnic — finished off with a flight over the Strip, and with hotel transfers included.
- Canyon-floor landing thousands of feet below the rim
- 30 minutes on the ground with a picnic and champagne
- Strip flyover on the way back
Scenic helicopter flight from US$499 From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour
A 90-minute flight from Las Vegas that dips below the rim at Grand Canyon West without landing, then returns over the Strip. A little cheaper than the landing tours.
- About 90 minutes of flying
- Above and below the rim at Grand Canyon West
- Hoover Dam, Mojave Desert and Strip views
Scenic airplane flight from US$214 Grand Canyon West Airplane Air Tour with Las Vegas transfers
The budget way to see the canyon from the air from Las Vegas: a 70-minute flightseeing loop in a fixed-wing plane, at well under half the price of the landing tours.
- 70-minute scenic flight
- Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Grand Canyon West from above
- Hotel transfers included
Helicopter flight + Skywalk from US$639 From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon Skywalk Express Helicopter Tour
Fly straight to Grand Canyon West and walk the Skywalk, the glass-floored bridge that juts out over the canyon, with priority entry — all in two and a half hours from Las Vegas.
- Fly to the West Rim by helicopter
- Skip-the-line Skywalk access
- Live pilot narration
Combined air and river tour from US$624 Grand Canyon West Plane, Helicopter & Boat Tour from Vegas
Rim to river in a day: fly from Las Vegas, drop to the bottom of Grand Canyon West by helicopter, float on the Colorado River by pontoon boat, then visit the viewpoints on the rim.
- Scenic flight from Las Vegas
- Helicopter to the canyon floor
- 20-minute pontoon boat ride on the Colorado River
Helicopter flight with landing from US$279 Grand Canyon West: Canyon Floor Landing Helicopter
If you are already at Grand Canyon West, this short flight drops you onto Hualapai land near the river, thousands of feet below the rim. Landings like this happen at Grand Canyon West, outside the national park — tours over the park itself do not land in the canyon.
- Land 3,500 feet below the rim near the Colorado River
- About 20 minutes on the canyon floor
- Live pilot narration
Helicopter and boat from US$324 Grand Canyon West: Helicopter & Boat with Park Entry Options
Two short helicopter flights bracket a boat ride on the Colorado River at the bottom of Grand Canyon West. A newer listing with only a handful of reviews so far, but excellent ones.
- Helicopter down to the canyon floor and back
- Boat ride on the Colorado River
- Optional West Rim entry
Helicopter or airplane?
Airplanes (fixed-wing) are cheaper and fly longer distances, which is why they are popular from Las Vegas. Helicopters fly lower and slower, have wrap-around windows and — at the West Rim — can land. If you are prone to motion sickness, the smoother airplane may suit you better.
What it costs
As a rough guide at the time of writing: South Rim helicopter flights from around US$270 per person; airplane flights from Las Vegas from around US$200; helicopter landing tours from Las Vegas from around US$500 and up. Prices vary with season and demand, so check live rates on each card.
Tips for a great flight
- Morning flights often have calmer air and clearer visibility; summer afternoons can be bumpy and stormy.
- Seating is usually assigned by weight for balance; you may be asked your weight when booking or at check-in. Some operators charge extra for heavier passengers or offer front seats as an upgrade.
- Wear dark clothing to reduce reflections in the windows if you plan to take photos.
- Weather cancellations happen; flights are normally rescheduled or refunded. Book early in your stay so you have a back-up day.
- Combine it: the South Rim flights pair well with a guided Hummer tour on the ground, offered as an option on several listings.
Which one should I choose?
- Staying at the South Rim: the 30-minute flight from Tusayan, or the 45–50-minute version for more time over the deepest part.
- In Las Vegas with a big budget: a helicopter landing tour with champagne by the river.
- In Las Vegas on a budget: the airplane flight over the West Rim.
- Already at Grand Canyon West: the short canyon-floor landing flight, or helicopter plus boat.
