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

It was disappointing. We spent too much time over the forest. The canyon was spectacular for those that could see. Passengers in the middle at the back could barely view. The music in the headphones was too loud and we couldn't hear the pilot. All in all, definitely not value for money.

Best way to see the Grand Canyon!

It was fantastic...everything from the little terminal to ground staff to Tori our pilot. Even the music in The helicopter made the experience so memorable. Flying into the canyon was so breathtaking... will be a best memory of this trip. Thank you SO much.

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.