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A red and white airplane flies over the Grand Canyon in a clear sky.
Starting at $184.00Per Person

Grand Discovery Air Tour

See the Grand Canyon from above on an airplane tour from the South Rim! The Grand Discovery Air Tour offers aerial views of the most stunning regions of the Grand Canyon National Park, including the Zuni Corridor, Imperial Point, the Kaibab Plateau, and the Colorado River far beneath you. This tour is the perfect addition to your Grand Canyon vacation!

Seeing the Grand Canyon from the edge is an exciting experience - but seeing it from the sky is incomparable! Set off aboard a Grand Canyon airplane tour for aerial views of the South Rim, including sights of the Colorado River below, the Kaibab Forest, and rock formations like Zuni Corridor, Imperial Point, and the Kaibab Plateau.

This quick air tour is the perfect addition to your Grand Canyon National Park vacation, allowing plenty of time to sightsee from the ground. Your touring airplane is equipped with climate control, comfortable seating, headset narration in multiple languages, and large windows for capturing sights of the South Rim.

This Tour is Available as a Gift Certficate!

Optional Grand Discovery Air Tour Upgrades

* Upgrade options are available for selection during checkout

Add Hummer Tour

Add a Hummer ground excursion to your Grand Canyon tour! This sightseeing adventure takes off on a modified, open-air Hummer vehicle operated by a professional driver, with an option to include sunset views.

A group of people is sitting on the Grand Canyon's edge, viewing the sunset.

Make Aircraft Private

Turn your scenic airplane flight over the Grand Canyon National Park into a true VIP experience by reserving your own private aircraft for your entire group! The most luxurious way to experience the South Rim from the sky.

Airplane pilot waves as he prepares for takeoff with a group of passengers.

Grand Discovery Air Tour FAQs

Where does the Grand Discovery Air Tour depart from?

Guests visiting Grand Canyon National Park South Rim have easy access to the departure point for this special tour. Papillon’s Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines South Rim terminal is located at the closest airport to the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon Airport - GCN, AZ). This airport is located right at the entrance to the National Park. The address is 3555 Airport Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023.

What is the flight duration for the Grand Discovery Air Tour?

The total flight time for the Grand Discovery Air Tour is approximately 40-45 minutes.

What aircraft is used on the Grand Discovery Air Tour flights?

Papillon uses the De Havilland Twin Otter Vistaliner, one of the best aircraft in the world for sightseeing! Our specially-designed Twin Otters feature comfortable cabins that offer perfect opportunities for photographing the panoramic views below them. The high-set wings also ensure that every seat has an unobstructed view.

We also fly the Cessna Caravan, which offers comfort, optimal viewing, and a quiet ride for guests traveling to the Grand Canyon and beyond! The Cessna Caravan is fitted with windows on both sides for the ultimate sightseeing opportunity.

Ultimately, aircraft choice is determined by passenger count, weather, and aircraft availability.

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