45-min Grand Canyon National Park Airplane Tour with Optional Hummer Tour

On Thanksgiving Day, my husband and I, along with two other unrelated couples, enjoyed an amazing Grand Canyon Maverick Helicopters tour at noon, departing from the Tusayan airport near the south rim. Our helicopter held seven guests, so we had one extra seat, which was nice. The seating is arranged by weight, so you might not get your preferred seat. (I would have chosen to sit next to the pilot, but I ended up in a side window seat in the back row, which was fine since we didn’t land again until the end.) Our pilot, B.J., was calm, experienced, and personable. During the flight, he shared just the right amount of facts about the canyon and surrounding park, while a fitting soft rock soundtrack, curated by B.J., played through our headphones, changing with each phase of the flight. The gray leather seats were comfortable (though not rotating), and we enjoyed excellent views, both near and far, as we flew over the sunny south rim, the snowy north rim, and mostly in between, gazing down at the cliffs and the Colorado River far below. The 30+-minute canyon tour was a perfect length for appreciating the canyon’s grandeur, although I could have easily spent all day gliding over those views! The takeoff and landing were incredibly smooth, and the spacious Maverick waiting area (with a fireplace & restrooms) and gift shop were top-notch. They took photos of us at the start and end, standing by the helicopter, and then offered us an official photo and DVD to remember our flight. It was certainly a memorable Thanksgiving Day! (One photo tip: wear black if you don’t want to see yourself reflected in the windows while taking pictures.)

My husband and I booked the Canyon Spirit tour, lasting 45-50 minutes, with Maverick Helicopters during our three-week trip around the western U.S. We made our reservation online a month in advance through their chat feature, which provided us with a discount and all the info we needed. We were advised to book early since it gets busy, and we were glad we did. After researching various companies, we felt confident in our choice, and there’s honestly nothing we’d change. The cost was $544 for both of us, which is a bit pricey, but we’d absolutely recommend it. We flew at 8am on Thursday, September 15, 2018, and the timing was perfect. The weather was great, making for an ideal flight. Arrive about 30 minutes early for check-in, where they weigh you to balance the helicopter. You can’t request specific seats, but thankfully my husband and I got to sit in the front, which offered a spectacular view. The helicopter has mostly glass, so from the front, you can see straight down. However, every seat has a good view, so I wouldn’t stress about where you sit. Each helicopter accommodates six passengers plus the pilot. Everyone has headphones and mics to chat during the flight and ask questions. It’s fascinating to see how many helicopters take off at the same time, but once you're in the air over the canyon, you feel like you're all alone. It’s hard to grasp the canyon's vastness, even though you see so much of it. Nothing felt scary or unsettling; we truly loved our first helicopter ride. I highly recommend this tour.

On a whim, my friend and I decided to take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon with Maverick Helicopters. During a day tour with Detours of Phoenix to Sedona and the GC, we were offered the chance to see the Canyon (for an extra fee), and we jumped at it. Having never been in a helicopter and being somewhat fearful, I thought, 'You only live once, right?!' WOW!!! What a ride! We couldn’t have asked for a better view of this stunning natural wonder. Our pilot Sean was professional, friendly, and very reassuring. He’s a former military helicopter pilot, which I consider a big deal regarding skill (and thanks for your service, Sean). Before takeoff, Sean explained the helicopter and the safety procedures. The ground crew helped us buckle in and set up our headphones. Sean was well-versed in the Grand Canyon’s wildlife, history, and notable sites, answering all our questions during the flight. The helicopter itself was top-of-the-line. We were told Maverick's fleet is the newest in the area. The seats were comfy, and the large viewing windows provided the best possible views. We were lucky to snag two front seats and got some amazing photos. The flight lasted 45 minutes, and we cherished every second! Big thanks to Maverick and Sean for an incredible experience. (By the way, I loved the flight's playlist-Top Gun’s theme song was among the tunes played. Nice touch!) Diane and Lynne

A very well-run tourist operation with a knowledgeable and engaging pilot who expertly balanced keeping us in the air while fielding our silly, long-winded questions and coping with our childlike excitement. Yes, we were all thrilled. My partner and I, plus three other passengers-a grandmother, mother, and daughter-all on their first helicopter ride. We had a beautiful, crisp winter morning for our tour. The moment the chopper flew from the forested plateau over the canyon's edge was worth the price of admission alone. I was awestruck by the canyon's immense size and beauty-the northern rim is noticeably higher than the southern side, and the colors and shadows of the canyon walls were breathtaking, with the Colorado River's teal green winding far below. Time flew as we glided along the river, rose above, and flew over the northern rim, where we spotted a herd of bison in a snowy landscape before re-entering the canyon further west. I was shocked at how long we had been flying when we gently landed back at Maverick's base. Incredible, and they even offer a video of the flight if you want to relive it.

This was a fantastic experience for my wife and me on our anniversary. Flying over the forest and crossing the south rim for the first time was incredible! You see everything-the rapids of the Colorado River, Marble Canyon, lava flows from Mt. Humphrey, and even a fault line. Throughout the flight, the pilot pointed out these sights and shared some history about the Canyon too. The tour also included the north rim. All the scenery just makes you go, 'wow,' in awe of it all. This was my second trip to the Canyon, and it definitely won’t be my last. I have nothing negative to say about the tour. If you’ve never been in a helicopter, you might feel some vibrations, but it’s nothing too intense. There’s no sensation of weightlessness during takeoff or landing like you’d experience on a plane. Maverick’s staff was very professional and provided excellent service. The pilot was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the flight more enjoyable and engaging. I’ll definitely fly with Maverick again in the future because of their great customer service. Thanks for an unforgettable experience!