One of the best ways to enjoy the Grand Canyon is to see it by helicopter. And if you really want to take it up a notch, fly in the front with the pilot. Here are some tips on how to get the coveted front seats.

Up to 6 People

The first thing to understand is that helicopters hold up to six passengers. There are some EC 130\’s that can accommodate seven people, but for the most part it\’s going to be a max of six.

In most cases, helicopters are configured to hold three people in the back and three in the front. Typically, where you sit is based on the overall weight of all passengers.

As such, it\’s nearly impossible for me to tell you where you\’ll sit because much of it\’s determined at check in or on the tarmac by the pilot. That said, there is a way to get an edge.

The Odds

As it stands, you have a 1/6 chance of sitting in front. If you\’re a lucky person, cross your fingers and see how it goes. However, for those who prefer to have the odds in their favor, pre-order a front seat as you book online.

It\’s still true that if you RSVP a front seat there\’s no guarantee you\’ll get it. However, based on my experience, every effort will be made to get you in the front because it costs an additional $50 person.

I also know from experience that many travelers completely overlook the option to book the front seat during the online order process. Part of it is due to the option being buried on the secure order form, so keep an eye out for it when you purchase your seats.

Best Helicopter

Earlier I mentioned the EC 130 helicopter. This is the most superior sightseeing aircraft flying the Canyon today and it\’s the one you want. These helicopters feature a 180-degree wraparound window and stadium-style bucket seats.

The EC 130 is mostly used on deluxe flights so try to make sure you book one of those. From Vegas, there are deluxe air-only and landing tours. From South Rim, you\’ll find deluxe air-only because helicopters are banned from flying below the rim and landing.

Of the Vegas landing tours, I\’m a huge fan of the one that goes to the bottom for a Champagne picnic (it can be extended to include a Colorado River boat ride). At South Rim, I\’m a huge fan of the 50-minute helicopter ride because it will let you see up to 75 percent of the National Park.

Conclusion

I hope this article about how to get front seats on Grand Canyon helicopter tours proved helpful. Just keep in mind that as you order you tour online you need to be on the alert for the option to RSVP front seats. So many people overlook it, which in a way is a good thing because it increases you chances of getting one. And that\’s all there is to it. Have a great flight. We look forward to having you as our guest.

The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Author Bio: The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, las vegas, grand canyon helicopters, las vegas helicopters, grand canyon flights,