Airplane 
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.
Note: Infants (0–23 months) fly free and must sit on a parent or guardian's lap during the flight.
This tour operates aboard a Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines De Havilland Twin Otter Vistaliner or Cessna Caravan, depending on departure time and group size — 9 to 17 passengers depending on aircraft.
Seats are assigned by weight-and-balance, not by booking order — it is an aviation requirement, not a sales tactic. Five single seats on the left and six pairs on the right — 17 Vista View windows. High-set wings mean the view is out, not at a wing.
Seats are assigned by weight-and-balance, not by booking order — it is an aviation requirement, not a sales tactic. Single seats left and right of a narrow aisle — nine window seats, no middle seat. High-set wings keep the view clear.
Airplane departures on this tour fly either Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines’ De Havilland Twin Otter Vistaliner (up to 17 guests) or Cessna Caravan (up to 9 guests). Which aircraft you board depends on departure time and group size — both are high-wing sightseeing airplanes with a window view and noise-cancelling narration headsets.
Enjoy an aircraft reserved entirely for your group of up to 6 passengers and include a flight over the Las Vegas Strip on your return journey. See the casinos, the neon lights, Downtown Vegas, and all the exciting attractions from above.
Add a Hummer ground excursion to your Grand Canyon tour. Travel on an open-air Hummer vehicle to multiple South Rim lookout points, with an option to include sunset views. The perfect way to see the Grand Canyon South from every angle! Learn more about the required passes and fees for international visitors.
Send a Papillon flight for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and groups. Digital delivery makes it easy to surprise someone.
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.
The total flight time for the Grand Discovery Air Tour is approximately 40-45 minutes.
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.
No - Infants (0–23 months) fly free and must sit on a parent or guardian’s lap during the flight.
