Papillon runs the largest Grand Canyon air tour company in the business. Their size translates into more tours, more flights, and cheaper prices. Whether you want to fly over the Skywalk or raft the Colorado River, Papillon's got your tour.

Papillon Grand Canyon Air Tours

Flights depart 365 days a year from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon Airport (South Rim), and Page, Arizona (Glen Canyon Dam). Trips are all-inclusive and include free hotel shuttle service, a grab-and-go breakfast, box lunch, and professional guide service. Each passenger is allowed to bring one carry-on and audio tours are available in 10 languages

West Rim Tours

The rim is located 120 miles out of Vegas. Planes cover the distance in 25 minutes. En route is Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Grand Cliffs Wash. Grand Canyon aerial highlights include Guano Point, Eagle Point, the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Here are this rim's most popular tours:

1. Air only. Fastest way to fly over the canyon. Ideal for time-strapped travelers.


2. Landing tour with Hoover Dam. Combines standard flight with Hoover Dam ground tour.


3. Landing tour with Skywalk. Includes tickets to the glass walkway, the world-famous structure that lets you walk 70 feet past the edge while suspending you 4,000 feet above the river.


4. Landing tour with helicopter and boat. Land at Grand Canyon West. Make 4,000-foot helicopter descent to base of Rim. Take smooth-water rafting tour. My #1 favorite tour.

South Rim Tours

The rim is 277 miles east of Vegas. Flight time is 45 minutes. If you are staying at the South Rim, planes leave from Grand Canyon Airport (GCA), which is 10 minutes from Grand Canyon Village. Here are this rim's most requested flights:

From Las Vegas

1. Landing tour with bus. Leave Vegas in the a.m. Follow Colorado River to South Rim. Land at GCA. Transfer to luxury bus and take a guided tour of National Park.


2. Landing tour with helicopter and bus. Land at South Rim airport. Deplane and board helicopter. Do rim-to-rim ride. Board motor coach and take guided tour of South Rim.

From South Rim

1. Air only flight. Depart GCA. Covers South Rim, East Rim, and North Rim. See in 60 minutes what would take days on the ground.


2. Landing tour with river rafting. Early morning flight from GCA to Page, AZ. Take Antelope Canyon Jeep tour. Embark on 15-mile smooth water float ride from Glenn Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry. Take motor coach back to South rim.

From Page, AZ

1. Rainbow Bridge flight. 30 minute aerial tour over Lake Powell and it's outlandishly beautiful rock formations.


2. Monument Valley flight. See Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge, and the surreal landscape of Monument valley.

Air Tours - What Do I need to Bring?

Trips pretty much come with everything you need to enjoy them. That said, I do recommend you consider bringing the following:

• Hat
• ChapStick
Sunscreen
• Windbreaker
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Extra shorts (raft tour only)
• Lite snacks
• Comfortable but sturdy footwear
• Daypack

Landing trips take a full day to enjoy. They also put you in the elements. Be prepared, especially during summer. More Grand Canyon weather information here.

Grand Canyon Airplane

Many people are under the impression that these air tours are conducted on small aircraft. Not true. These airplanes hold up to 19 people and are captained by two FAA-approved pilots. Cabins are large and spacious. Seating is very comfortable, and viewing windows are purposely large. I'm 6'-2" and have always had plenty of personal space and legroom on these flights.

Shopping the Internet for Canyon Plane Rides

Pay full retail for airplane tours? Are you joking? I leverage the Internet and so should you. I consistently save up to 35% on air tours by heading over to Papillon's website. Too good to be true? It's not. Buying direct is a win-win for Papillon and you. If you feel compelled to purchase tickets from a hotel concierge or a ticket booth inside the mall at Caesar's Palace, expect to get gouged.

Click Here For All Papillon Airplane Tours

Have a GRAND day,

P.S. Looking for the West Rim's most immersive air tour? Take the Grand Voyager Expedition. It comes with helicopter and river rafting. No rock is left unturned. Do this trip and you and the canyon leave each other as ONE.