Which operator departs directly from the Las Vegas Strip?

Both Maverick and Papillon operate select flights from the Las Vegas Strip Terminal, making them convenient for visitors staying on the Strip. Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines departs from Boulder City, about 35 minutes away, but offers hotel transfers for most tours.

Which operator offers the best value for families?

Papillon and Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines are both excellent for families, thanks to their wide range of affordable and family-friendly tours. Scenic Airlines’ airplane tours are particularly popular with parents traveling with young children, as the cabins are spacious and the flights are smooth.

Are all three operators FAA-certified?

Yes, Papillon, Maverick, and Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines are all certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Each operator maintains rigorous safety standards, experienced pilots, and modern fleets designed for sightseeing comfort.

Do these operators provide hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, most tours include round-trip transfers from major Las Vegas hotels. Papillon and Scenic Airlines generally offer shuttle service to the Boulder City Terminal, while Maverick includes direct hotel pickup for Strip departures.

Which operator is best for first-time flyers?

Papillon is a great choice for first-time visitors who want a classic Grand Canyon helicopter experience at a reasonable price. Maverick offers a premium, quieter ride that’s perfect for those who might be nervous about flying.

Which operator is best for photographers?

Maverick’s ECO-Star helicopters are designed with wraparound glass for 180-degree views, making them perfect for photography. Papillon offers longer flight routes and more landing options, giving photographers diverse perspectives of the canyon.

Do any tours include the Grand Canyon Skywalk or river landings?

Yes. Papillon offers several helicopter and combo tours with <link linkType="internal" newTab="true" url="" id="J9WqxvG9" shortCodeType="link" relationTo="pages" documentId="6835d696360d826e6e4d950e" text="Grand Canyon Skywalk" uid="www.grand-canyon-tours.com.west-rim-skywalk" lang="en" /> access, <link linkType="internal" newTab="true" url="" id="n3OAqB8F" shortCodeType="link" relationTo="pages" documentId="695f9a4e9970a88339bd1435" text="canyon floor landings" uid="www.grand-canyon-tours.com.floor-landing-tours" lang="en" />, and even <link linkType="internal" newTab="true" url="" id="M4iOiZFQ" shortCodeType="link" relationTo="pages" documentId="695f9a20ef3dc0b0db97d4d8" text="rafting on the Colorado River" uid="www.grand-canyon-tours.com.boat-tours" lang="en" />.

Which is best for budget travelers?

Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines is the top pick for budget-conscious travelers or groups, as airplane tours are generally more affordable per person.

Compare Top Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Operators

Know your operators: The names behind your Grand Canyon adventure

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Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

✔️ The largest and oldest Grand Canyon helicopter operator.

✔️ Offers the widest range of experiences, from canyon floor landings to rafting and Skywalk combos.

✔️ Known for affordable pricing and broad departure points: Las Vegas, Boulder City, South Rim, and West Rim.

✔️ Best suited for families, first-time visitors, and travelers seeking all-inclusive adventure packages.

Maverick Helicopters

✔️ Renowned for luxury-focused helicopter experiences with custom ECO-Star interiors.

✔️ Prioritizes comfort, style, and small-group experiences.

✔️ Offers direct Las Vegas Strip departures, exclusive sunset flights, and private tour options.

✔️ Ideal for couples, premium travelers, and special occasions.

Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines

✔️ A sister brand to Papillon, specializing in fixed-wing airplane tours.

✔️ Operates scenic flights to the South Rim, West Rim, and North Rim, often paired with helicopter, boat, or Hummer experiences.

✔️ Features larger cabin windows for aerial photography and panoramic sightseeing.

✔️ Great choice for budget-conscious travelers or those who prefer airplane comfort over helicopter motion.

Take off with the best: Your operator comparison

Operator	Founded	Fleet (Helicopter type)	Departure points	Experience types	Ideal for	Book your tour
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters	1965	Airbus EC130 ECO-Star, Bell 407	Las Vegas, Boulder City, South Rim, Grand Canyon West	Sightseeing, canyon floor landings, Skywalk & rafting combos, sunset flights	Families, first-timers, adventure seekers	From $289
Maverick Helicopters	1995	ECO-Star EC130B4 (luxury, custom interiors)	Las Vegas Strip, South Rim	Sightseeing, rim landings, sunset flights, private charters	Couples, luxury travelers, photographers	From $239
Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines	1927	Twin Otter Vistaliner, Cessna Grand Caravan	Boulder City, South Rim, Grand Canyon West	Airplane sightseeing, combo flights (air + heli + hummer), day trips	Budget travelers, families, first-time flyers	From $229

Departure points: Where your Grand Canyon flights will take off from

Address: Airport Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005, United States | Find on Maps

Getting there:

By bus: Take a Greyhound or FlixBus from Las Vegas to Boulder City, or hop on the National Park Express shuttle from the Strip. Most rides take about 45 mins.
By car: Drive south from the Las Vegas Strip via I-515 S/US-93 S toward Boulder City; the journey takes about 35 mins. Parking is available at the terminal.

Recommended tours:

From Las Vegas: Day Trip to Grand Canyon National Park via Airplane plus Guided Hummer Tour
90-min Las Vegas to Grand Canyon North Rim Airplane and Ground Tour
70- min Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Airplane Tour with Helicopter Canyon Floor Landing & Pontoon Boat Ride
From Las Vegas: Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Airplane & Ground Tour
From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour & Black Canyon Raft with Champagne & Picnic

Address: 6075 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, United States | Find on Maps

Getting there:

By bus: Take the Deuce or RTC Route 119 to the Mandalay Bay stop, then walk 10 mins south to Maverick Helicopters.
By car: Drive south along Las Vegas Blvd or take I-15 S to Exit 33 for Russell Road. Parking is available at the terminal.

Recommended tours:

From Las Vegas: 90-min Helicopter Tour with Floor Landing & Las Vegas Strip Views
West Rim Helicopter Tour with Las Vegas Strip Views
90-min Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Helicopter Tour with Las Vegas Strip Views
12-min Las Vegas Strip Highlights Night Helicopter Tour
40-min Las Vegas Strip and Hoover Dam Helicopter Tour

Address: Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, United States | Find on Maps

Getting there:

By bus: The Tusayan Shuttle connects Grand Canyon Visitor Center with the South Rim Terminal during peak season.
By car: From Grand Canyon Village, drive south on AZ-64 toward Tusayan. The terminal is just 10 mins away with free parking on-site.

Recommended tours:

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

Address: 1542 Liberator Dr, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, United States | Find on Maps

Getting there:

By bus: Take the National Park Shuttle to Tusayan, which stops near the airport entrance.
By car: Drive south from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center via AZ-64 S; the airport is about 7 miles (10 mins) away.

Recommended tours:

Luxury Helicopter Tour with Comfort Seating
45-min Grand Canyon National Park Helicopter Tour

Address: 5006 Diamond Bar Rd, Peach Springs, AZ 86434, United States | Find on Maps

Getting there:

By bus: There’s no direct public bus to Grand Canyon West heliport. You can get here via a guided shuttle or tour transfer from Las Vegas.
By car: Drive east from Las Vegas via US-93 S and Pierce Ferry Rd, then follow Diamond Bar Rd to the Grand Canyon West terminal (about 2.5 hours).

Recommended tours:

15-min Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour plus Canyon Floor Landing, Boat Ride with Optional Skywalk
20-min Grand Canyon West Airplane Tour

Frequently asked questions about Grand Canyon helicopter tour operators

Papillon is known for offering the widest range of Grand Canyon helicopter tours at great value, including landings, rafting, and combo experiences. Maverick Helicopters, on the other hand, focuses on premium comfort and small-group experiences, perfect for travelers who want a more luxurious flight.

Compare your Grand Canyon helicopter tour operators: Papillon, Maverick & more

Know your operators: The names behind your Grand Canyon adventure

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

Maverick Helicopters

Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines

Take off with the best: Your operator comparison

Departure points: Where your Grand Canyon flights will take off from

Frequently asked questions about Grand Canyon helicopter tour operators

More reads

Grand Canyon tours

Tours from Las Vegas

Plan your visit

Compare your Grand Canyon helicopter tour operators: Papillon, Maverick & more

Know your operators: The names behind your Grand Canyon adventure

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

Maverick Helicopters

Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines

Take off with the best: Your operator comparison

Departure points: Where your Grand Canyon flights will take off from

Frequently asked questions about Grand Canyon helicopter tour operators

What’s the main difference between Papillon and Maverick Helicopters?

Which operator departs directly from the Las Vegas Strip?

Which operator offers the best value for families?

Are all three operators FAA-certified?

Do these operators provide hotel pickup and drop-off?

Which operator is best for first-time flyers?

Which operator is best for photographers?

Do any tours include the Grand Canyon Skywalk or river landings?

Which is best for budget travelers?

More reads

Grand Canyon tours

Tours from Las Vegas

Plan your visit