Lots of Las Vegas visitors want to visit the South Rim but don\’t because it\’s more than 270 miles from town. That\’s about to change because now there are airplane tours to this rim that take just 60 minutes to reach it, thus turning this adventure into an easy 1-day excursion.

Daily Flights

This airplane tour departs three or more times a day every day of the year. It goes over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon before landing at Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, the small town that sits adjacent to the Park. It\’s a great flight over and savvy travelers will try to sit on the left side of the aircraft in order to see even more of the Canyon.

There are several variations of this tour. The cheapest is the basic one and it includes a 2.5-hour bus tour inside the National Park. There\’s another option that comes with a 2.5-hour Jeep 4×4 tour and it covers more of the Park\’s famous lookouts and landmarks than the bus. Of the two, I prefer the Jeep because I think it\’s the more efficient way to get around.

The last option is the most expensive and comes with a helicopter tour from the South Rim to the North Rim and back via the Dragoon Corridor, which is the widest and deepest section of the Canyon. This tour also includes a bus tour inside the Park that is similar to the most basic option\’s. No other tour compares to the views, thrills and value you get from this particular package.

Types of Aircraft

Airplanes used on these flights are either a de-Havilland Twin Otter or a Beechcraft 1900D. The de-Havilland is totally customized for sightseeing. Its wings are attached to the top of the aircraft so you can see below. In addition, its cabin and windows are oversized so you can comfortably enjoy the flight and the view. Seating is challenging as there are two seats on one side and one on the other.

The Beechcraft is a bit more like a jet with it\’s wings attached to the body and not the roof. Windows are oversized and the cabin is very sleek. It\’s also a longer-bodied aircraft and all seats are window seats because there\’s only one on each side. Tours that utilize the Beechcraft tend to cost more so be prepared for the extra expense. Frankly, both aircraft have their pros and cons so pick the one that works for you.

These airplane tours are all-inclusive and come with all taxes, fees, surcharges and Park entrance costs. Transfers to and from your Las Vegas hotel are also included, as is lunch and a professionally trained pilot-guide. The de-Havilland aircraft include trip narrations that have been translated in up to 10 languages, including Chinese, Japanese, German, French and more.

Conclusion

I hope this article about Grand Canyon airplane tours proved helpful as you plan your National Park trip. Frankly, planes are the best way to get to this rim because it only takes 1 hour. In contrast, going by bus or rental car takes up to 5.5 hours one-way with the total roadtrip clocking in at 11 hours! I recommend you book these flights over the Internet and in advance as they regularly sell out during the summer months. So let\’s get airborne. It\’s going to be one grand adventure!

The author is an expert on Grand Canyon sightseeing tours and strongly recommends that readers go here for the best flights on Canyon airplane tours form Las Vegas and the South Rim: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/best-airplane-tours/

The author is an expert on Grand Canyon sightseeing tours and strongly recommends that readers go here for the best flights on Canyon airplane tours form Las Vegas and the South Rim: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/best-airplane-tours/

Author Bio: The author is an expert on Grand Canyon sightseeing tours and strongly recommends that readers go here for the best flights on Canyon airplane tours form Las Vegas and the South Rim: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/best-airplane-tours/

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, grand canyon airplane, grand canyon flights, las vegas tours