Why book online ?
Reservation procedure
Cancellation and modification
On site
FAQ Grand Canyon
FAQ Las Vegas
FAQ general
Papillon VS Maverick
The overflights of the Grand Canyon by helicopter or plane and the overflights of Las Vegas by helicopter are served by two renowned companies which offer impeccable services and a level of safety above what is recommended by aviation standards American.
Operating for decades, these two companies are Papillon and Maverick. Papillon is the oldest of the two companies and also the one that offers slightly lower prices. Maverick offers slightly more luxurious tours and therefore a little more expensive.
Why book online ?
Booking your helicopter flight in the American West online offers several advantages.
- Internet rates are lower than on site.
- You are sure to have a flight on the day and time chosen. Demand is high and on site, you take the risk that there is no more availability.
Whether it is Papillon or Maverick, there are no hidden costs, no booking fees or commissioned staff.
Reservation procedure
The procedure for booking a Flight over the Grand Canyon or a Flight over of Las Vegas is very simple:
- Indicate the number of passengers. There is no age limit to participate in a plane or helicopter tour. Children under 2 years old do not pay and can travel on a parent's lap. Children over 2 years old must purchase a seat.
- Choose a date and time and add any optional extras. At Papillon, if you don't add an option, choose Standard Fare.
- Click the confirm button and enter your contact details and the weight of each passenger (at Maverick, you will be asked to indicate the weight from the beginning).
- If you are asked for your address, enter your hotel address. If you are asked for your phone number, put your mobile number without the zero (only 9 digits) preceded by the France code: +33.
- You can take out cancellation protection.
- Finally, make the payment (rates may vary depending on the time of day and the booking date).
🛈 A confirmation email will be sent to you within 24 hours.
⚠ At Papillon, you must reconfirm your tour reservation at least 24-48 hours prior to the date/time of the tour concerned by calling +1 (702) 638-3300 from 8am to 8pm Pacific Time. When calling, please have your reservation number ready. Failure to reconfirm your tour may result in rescheduling or cancellation.
Cancellation and modification
Papillon
At Papillon, flights can be changed or cancelled without penalty up to 72 hours before the departure time. If you decide to cancel your tour, a credit voucher will be issued, valid for up to one year from the original purchase date. Cancellations within 72 hours of the departure time are non-refundable.
If you have purchased cancellation protection, you will have the option to make a one-time change to reschedule your tour or receive a full refund (excluding the cost of the tour cancellation protection). However, you must inform your decision to cancel the tour at least 24 hours before the tour time.
Maverick
Maverick, offers free cancellation and modification up to 72 hours before your flight departure time. Cancellations within 72 hours of the departure time are non-refundable.
With cancellation protection you can reschedule your flight to another date without additional fees (subject to availability and ticket price difference) or cancel with a 100% refund, all up to 24 hours before your flight departure time.
On site
- All passengers must check in at the airport at least 30 minutes prior to flight time.
- All passengers 18 years of age or older must present a valid passport.
- Bring a bottle of water. Staying hydrated is essential during your helicopter landing at the Grand Canyon.
- Cameras and phones are permitted and encouraged on helicopter tours. Selfie sticks are prohibited in and around the aircraft.
- Layered clothing is recommended from March through September. Winter clothing should be worn from October through mid-March.
- The Grand Canyon has a rough, rocky, and uneven floor. It is important to wear sturdy shoes that cover your toes and can handle uneven terrain. Sneakers or hiking shoes are highly recommended.
- Finally, please note that the tours are commented in German, English, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch and Portuguese.
FAQ Grand Canyon
Tours to Grand Canyon South do not land at the bottom of the canyon. Only flights to Grand Canyon West offer landings. No flights depart from Grand Canyon South to Grand Canyon West.
Where are Grand Canyon South, Grand Canyon West and Las Vegas located ?
The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona while Las Vegas is located in southern Nevada about forty miles west of the Arizona border.
Grand Canyon South
Grand Canyon South (orange on the map) is located east of Grand Canyon West and Las Vegas. Grand Canyon National Park is located in Grand Canyon South. It is the most beautiful and touristy rim (there are three rims, South, North and West) of the Grand Canyon.
To go, by car, from the Grand Canyon South to :
- Las Vegas there are 451 kilometers for approximately 4.5 hours of travel.
- Grand Canyon West there are 384 kilometers for approximately 4 hours of travel
Grand Canyon West
Grand Canyon West (purple on the map) is located between Las Vegas to the west and Grand Canyon South to the east. Grand Canyon West is where you'll find the Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended more than 1,200 meters above the canyon.
To go by car from Grand Canyon West to:
- Las Vegas is 208 kilometers for about 2 hours 10 minutes of travel.
- Grand Canyon South is 384 kilometers for about 4 hours of travel
Las Vegas
Las Vegas (blue on the map) is located west of Grand Canyon South and Grand Canyon West.
To go by car from Las Vegas to :
- Grand Canyon West there are 205 kilometers for about 2h10 of travel.
- Grand Canyon South there are 450 kilometers for about 4h30 of travel
What are the departure points to fly over the Grand Canyon ?
There are 2 departure points to fly over Grand Canyon South
- The town of Tusayan at Grand Canyon South
- Las vegas (only two flights)
There are 2 departure points to fly over Grand Canyon West
- Grand Canyon West
Where are the airports located ?
- Grand Canyon South : 20 minutes south of the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, in the village of Tusayan. Address: Grand Canyon National Park Airport, 3568 Airport Road, Grand Canyon Village, Arizona.
- Grand Canyon West : 4 minutes south of the Skywalk entrance. Address: Grand Canyon West Airport, Peach Springs, Arizona
- Grand Canyon South : 20 minutes south of the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, in the village of Tusayan. Address: 107 Corsair Dr, Grand Canyon Village, Arizona.
- Grand Canyon West : 4 minutes south of the Skywalk entrance. Address: Grand Canyon West Airport, Peach Springs, Arizona
Which Grand Canyon tours do you recommend ?
The helicopter tour comparison answers your question.
The three rims of the Grand Canyon: South rim, West rim and North rim
The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona and includes three rims: South, North and West. Flights depart from the South and West Rims but not from the North Rim.
South Rim
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most beautiful, most visited, and most developed rim from the three banks. This is where the Grand Canyon National Park is located. This also means the area can be prone to crowds.
West Rim
The West Rim of the Grand Canyon offers less iconic views of the canyon than the South Rim. It is owned and operated by the Hualapai Indians and offers unique spectacular views and experiences like the Skywalk (see below), and is closer to Las Vegas than the South Shore.
North Rim
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is very uncrowded and offers a more isolated experience. No flights depart from the north shore. On the other hand, some flights departing from the south shore fly over the north shore.
South rim VS West rim
Grand Canyon South rim
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is Grand Canyon National Park and features some of the world's most recognized landmarks, deep rock gorges , such as Mather Point and Yavapai Point and is surrounded by the lush Kaibab Forest.
The South Rim offers some of the most famous views of the Grand Canyon and is a highly developed and touristy location. Here you'll find plenty of dining options, historic hotels and lodging, museums and shopping.
Grand Canyon West rim
The West Rim of the Grand Canyon, consists of a more desert landscape which creates a wild and rugged experience. This area is home to the famous Skywalk Bridge (see below), whose glass floor offers a direct view of the canyon floor. Helicopter tours allow passengers to land at the very bottom of the canyon, which is only possible on the west rim.
What is the Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Skywalk is a U-shaped, glass-bottomed walkway at Eagle Point, Arizona, Grand Canyon West that juts 70 feet above the void, allowing you to walk with nothing between your feet and the Colorado River 1,200 meters below, except for 10 centimeters of glass!
Grand Canyon West is owned by the Hualapai Native Americans, a tribe of more than 1,500 members who live on the west rim of the canyon for generations. The $30 million Skywalk is an engineering marvel. It was created to support at least 32,000 tonnes, withstand winds of more than 160 km/h (coming from eight different directions!) and an 8 magnitude earthquake within an 80 kilometer radius. More than 450,000 kilos of steel were used to build it.
It takes courage to get on the Skywalk, as looking through the glass floor can be intense. After climbing a staircase of about 20 steps, you put on a pair of anti-scratch ankle boots over your shoes. You will find that the glass floor is approximately 5 feet wide and there are 6 feet high glass walls with ramps all along the Skywalk. Even though your brain knows you're safe, you can't help but feel nervous as you wander through the immense gorge. It's also hard to forget that the only thing separating you from the bottom of the canyon, almost a kilometer below, is a few centimeters of glass! However, the view of the Grand Canyon is spectacular from here and well worth the visit. There's only one better way to experience its beauty: a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.
FAQ Las Vegas
It should be noted that only two flights depart from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South. All other tours depart either Las Vegas or Grand Canyon West.
Where are Grand Canyon South, Grand Canyon West and Las Vegas located
The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona while Las Vegas is located in southern Nevada about forty miles west of the Arizona border.
Grand Canyon South
Grand Canyon South (orange on the map) is located east of Grand Canyon West and Las Vegas. Grand Canyon National Park is located in Grand Canyon South. It is the most beautiful and touristy rim (there are three rims, South, North and West) of the Grand Canyon.
To go, by car, from the Grand Canyon South to :
- Las Vegas there are 451 kilometers for approximately 4.5 hours of travel.
- Grand Canyon West there are 384 kilometers for approximately 4 hours of travel
Grand Canyon West
Grand Canyon West (purple on the map) is located between Las Vegas to the west and Grand Canyon South to the east. Grand Canyon West is where you'll find the Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended more than 1,200 meters above the canyon.
To go by car from Grand Canyon West to:
- Las Vegas is 208 kilometers for about 2 hours 10 minutes of travel.
- Grand Canyon South is 384 kilometers for about 4 hours of travel
Las Vegas
Las Vegas (blue on the map) is located west of Grand Canyon South and Grand Canyon West.
To go by car from Las Vegas to :
- Grand Canyon West there are 205 kilometers for about 2h10 of travel.
- Grand Canyon South there are 450 kilometers for about 4h30 of travel
What are the starting points for flying over Las Vegas
There are 3 starting points to fly over Las Vegas
- Las Vegas, 1 minute from the Strip
- Boulder City : 30 minutes southeast of the Strip
- Henderson : 20 minutes south of the Strip
Where are the airports located
- Las Vegas : 1 minute east of the Strip. Address: 5060 Koval Lane, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Boulder City : 30 minutes southeast of the Strip via Interstate 11. Address : 1265 Airport Road, Boulder City, Nevada
- Las Vegas : 1 minute east of the Strip. Address: 6075 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Henderson : 20 minutes south of the Strip via Intersate 15. Address: 1620 Jet Stream Dr, Henderson, Nevada
What Las Vegas tours do you recommend
The helicopter tour comparison answers your question.
FAQ general
How is the ECO-Star helicopter
The Airbus ECO-Star is the Rolls-Royce of tourist helicopters. It is the safest, newest and most comfortable helicopter in the world, offering plush seats, air conditioning, and oversized windows for aerial observation and photography.
While significantly reducing noise from flights over the Grand Canyon, the ECO-Star also surrounds you in luxurious comfort and offers breathtaking views through its large wraparound windows.
- The ECO-Star offers 23% more cabin space than the classic A-Star model and can accommodate seven passengers.
- Wraparound glass provides exceptional visibility.
- 7 individual forward-facing seats with raised "theater" seating in the rear.
- Personal surround-sound stereo headsets with voice-activated microphones.
- ECO-Star's low-noise Fenestron tail rotor reduces exterior noise by 50%, improving the guest experience and limiting impacts on natural habitats with a low carbon footprint.
- Air-conditioned cabin for year-round comfort.
Helicopter VS Airplane
Helicopter
A helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas is a must. Helicopters fly lower than airplanes, so you feel like you can "touch" the Grand Canyon and the Strip hotels. Additionally, helicopters have large windows, which are great for aerial observation and photography. Finally, only helicopters land at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Airplane
Airplane flights over the Grand Canyon (there are no flights over Las Vegas), are faster than helicopter flights to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas and offer a more comfortable trip. Additionally, airfares are cheaper than helicopter flights.
