gaps

Hello All,
I'm heading to Alaska for the first time this Aug. I've done a good amount of research but would appreciate people's input based on their actual experience of Alaska.

We're looking to do a Summit flightseeing tour ("over" Denali and not "around" it) from Talkeetna.

I am trying to decide between K2 Aviation and TalkeetnaAero.
I see from some year-old posts that most people think the experience is comparable with both companies even though Talkeetna locals prefer K2.
Does anyone have any recent experiences that would categorically favor one company over the other?

Also, I've noticed that Toursaver coupons will reduce considerable costs with TalkeetnaAero but the company said they only honor those vouchers for an 11 am flight. I'm wondering if that is too late in the day for a "worthwhile" trip? I understand TalkeetnaAero will be able to climb past cloud coverage and some challenging weather conditions but are we stacking the odds against us if opt for anything but an early AM flight?

Many thanks

teresa48

We just went with Talkeetna Aero on July 1 but did the circle Denali tour at 11. That is the one that was in the toursaver. The weather was horrible on the ground but gorgeous when we went above the clouds. I was scared we wouldn't be able to go but was a great trip! Can't compare to K2 but we had a wonderful trip with Talkeetna Aero especially for the price!

gaps

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Teresa. So it's pretty accurate that TalkeetnaAero is good/valiant about making flights on even seemingly bad weather days?
BTW, you're right about the toursaver coupon being for the Circle Tour but TalkeetnaAero mentioned we could upgrade to the Summit tour at $25 per person.

BayouGal

We spent a lot of time visiting with K2 folks last year, unknowingly met them over a picnic lunch, and they are great people. All the locals do seem to recommend them the most. However we flew with the one that had the toursaver coupon because it saved us so much money - and they did let us upgrade to a summit flight with the coupon.

We had a female pilot and I cannot say enough great things about her. She left no room for doubt, provided great information in flight, and took great care of DD who had ear problems upon descent. I think all the outfits in Talkeetna must be top quality, plus they all know each other and help each other out. I would not hesitate to fly any of them at Talkeetna.

I wish BQ would come along . . . she really knows much more about Talkeetna and their flightseeing tours.

gaps

Thanks, BayouGirl

AKGardenGate

I've gone with both companies, and either will give you a great trip. I'm not sure why you want to go up early in the morning. My preference (especially during non-winter months) is always to go later in the day, late afternoon or early evening, because it gives the sun more of a chance to burn off moisture in the air, but that may be just my personal theory on ever-changing weather. Going later, I've had great, clear flights on days where the mornings looked hopeless. Good points from others that what looks cloudy from the ground may be clear once you're through that layer of clouds. Another small reason to go later in the day, should you choose not to do the 11 a.m. Toursaver one, is that by August we're starting to have more of an angle to the sun and "sunset" kinds of rays, which can make gorgeous highlighting and shadowing that you won't see on a noon-ish flight.

gaps

Thanks, AKGardenGate
I had read on an supposedly reputable Alaska travel planning site something to the effect that early morning flights are good b/f cloud coverage gathers as day progresses. Entirely possible that I misconstrued it but I had taken away that early morning flights better than later day flights for that reason. But good to know about changing light considerations in August. Thanks again

Connie

I don't know why you aren't considering Talkeetna Air Taxi. We found them to be very professional with excellent planes and a great, knowledgable pilot.

BudgetQueen

For clairfication, Talkeetna Air Taxi does NOT do summit flights, they book them with Talkeetna Aero. Only two companies are Talkeetna Aero and K2, both well run long standing companies.

I have done a lot of flightseeing out of Talkeetna, each day is unique and no guarantees on weather, schedule your first opportunity if you are short on time, and have a back up, perhaps on a return trip.

My last trip there had 4 reschedules and never did make it even with 5 times.

ceejay_ky

We were booked with the TourSaver coupon and flight was cancelled due to weather. No flights for the next two days either. On the day we were scheduled to leave the area, were able to book last-minute (and they still honored coupon)! It was absolutely worth it!! A highlight of our trip.

Connie

For clarification, Talkeetna Air Taxi DOES have a summit flight in their brochure.

BudgetQueen

For clairfication- Talkeetna Air Taxi, books ALL THEIR summit flights on Talkeetna Aero. They do not have the aircraft to run their own. They always cobook.

reekocat

We went with Talkeetna air, it was great, did a glacier landing. I called and mentioned the toursaver coupon, and they said they would give me 25% off without it, (and this was over the 4th of July), so we did that. We had a great pilot and a wonderful day for it, even tho we had to cancel the day we were originally scheduled because of rain, we got up the 2nd day. Talkeetna is a cool little town to spend time in anyway.

informedtravelers

Hello,
We're looking into a flight tour from Talkeetna. Our plan is to leave Anchorage early and arrive at Talkeetna at least by noon.
I am looking for info on the Tour Saver. Any information on this coupon book will be appreciated.
Keep us posted on the various flight services to Denali.
Thanks,

BudgetQueen

The toursaver coupons for next year will be out the end of this year. www.toursaver.com Each offer will be specific, but in the past Talkeetna Aero has allowed upgrades to their summit flights.

informedtravelers

Hello Budget Queen,
I purchased the Tour-Saver. It gave us more ideas and things to do. We will utilize as much as possible with the booklet.
I had to wait until the 2007 edition came out. If you add up everything you can do with this Tour-Saver, you'll be ahead of the game ($ wise.)
Thanks for the "tip"!