Company Overview
Since Papillon’s founding by Elling Halvorson in 1965, our commitment to our passengers has been unparalleled customer service and adventure beyond imagination – it's what has kept our company on top through the decades until this day. Papillon (the French word for “butterfly”) is the only company that flies the entire Grand Canyon, including areas untouched by man and inaccessible on foot.
The Vision of Papillon
"Creating memories for a lifetime with every flight."
Safety
Integrity
Teamwork
Accountability
Community
Experience
Papillon provides an unforgettable helicopter experience that showcases the breathtaking beauty and unique landmarks of the areas we serve. With a proactive commitment to safety and exceptional customer service, we aim to create memories that will last a lifetime.
With Papillon, you can discover spectacular sights of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and, of course, unforgettable views of the Grand Canyon. We travel to various regions of the Canyon and can even land at the very bottom!
Our broad catalog of tours also includes:
- Hummer Grand Canyon ground tours
- Hiking at the Grand Canyon
- ATV ground tours
- Smooth water float excursions on the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon
- Las Vegas Strip helicopter tours
- And more!
As the only full-service luxury helicopter operator in Las Vegas, Papillon Helicopters offers a premium aerial touring experience. Grand Canyon tours departing from the Las Vegas VIP Terminal include complimentary hotel-to-hotel transportation, helping ensure reliable pickup, on-time departures, and a smooth travel experience. Tours departing from the Boulder City Terminal feature organized pickup locations along the Las Vegas Strip, providing convenient and dependable transportation options for guests.
With nearly 50 helicopters and 200+ dedicated employees, we fly a quarter million passengers each year on daily Grand Canyon tours and other desert destinations at the most competitive price and within the safest environment possible.
Our company is the recipient of two Diamond Awards from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for excellence in maintenance and safety. Papillon has received these awards for both its Part 135 Air Carrier Operation and Part 145 Certified Maintenance Repair Station. Along with our Diamond Awards, Papillon remains the only air tour company serving both Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon to achieve the IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) Stage Three designation.
As a member in good standing of the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS), Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters abides by flight safety rules and regulations that substantially exceed the regulations required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Awards and Recognition
What Our Guests Say About Us!
We fly 300,000+ people to the Grand Canyon and beyond every year! See what our passengers have to say about their once-in-a-lifetime experiences with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters:
Lorene Savio
January 20, 2026 via Google
We had a magnificent flight in July 2024 over the Grand Canyon. The pilot was fantastic and even gave us some explanations during our flight.
An exceptional experience!
Yew Chin Lai
January 15, 2026 via Google
We had a very nice helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon on a beautiful sunny day.
Carson Gibbons
January 4, 2026 via Google
Absolutely stunning experience! Would definitely recommend!
