Hello... I am looking for advice on air tours departing from the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Recommendations for helicopter vs. airplane? Which will allow better views for photography? Is it worth it to splurge for the longer tours to see more of the canyon?

This trip will take place in late November. The most important thing to us is to be able to get some good photos and obviously have a great view since we have never seen the canyon before. I was thinking it might be hazy in the morning and burn off in afternoon, but called one of the companies and the woman I spoke with suggested skies would be clearest in morning. (I was also told passengers are seated by weight so we cannot be assured of a window seat... hmmm...) Does anyone have air tour experience with different times of day or weather at this time of year?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you!!

I took a small plane tour of the Grand Canyon (West Rim) from Las Vegas in November 2003. From what I can remember and my pictures, the day was hazy but my pictures came out ok. I do remember it was the early morning flight because I remember having to wake up really early to be picked up.

I think the small plane we took sat maybe 6-8 people. It was small. I don't remember anything about weight issues and my friend and I both had window seats.

Thanks! Any bit of info we can get is helpful. I should note we are leaning heavily toward helicopter at the moment, unless we get strong advice otherwise... If anyone has recommendations for a particular tour or company, that would be great, too. I've done my research, but (although many of the companies seem to have consolidated) there are still a lot of options to choose from!

Helicopter, Papillion or Maverick, longer tour the better. You will not be disappointed. Go on a clear day. It would be unlikely that two from a group got a window seat. If one of you are light, you may have a chance to sit up front. Some of the helicopters you even sit backwards.

Spirobulldog said it.

I haven't done it myself, but have heard many opinions that helicopter is best, and to go in the morning.

You might try posting your question on Tripadvisor----there are people there who are very knowledgeable about the types of helicopter and the seating arrangements.

For what it's worth. I did a short 5 minute ride on the west side. This was just to get in the canyon for a rafting trip. On another occasion, we did a 30 minute ride from the south rim. A longer trip isn't much more and adds more time in the canyon itself. You get to see a lot more of the canyon this way. We landed in a small above wing airplane on the west side @ Bar 10 ranch on there dirt and very crooked runway for our rafting trip. You can't see near as much from an airplane, even if it is an above wing type plane. I don't think any of the trips for the South Rim actually go down in the canyon. you are riding just above it for the most part. I believe I am right on that.

Brilliant... Thanks everyone for the advice, and thank you enzian for the tripadvisor tip. I posted there as well and got a ton of useful information in no time. How did I not know before about these two websites? I'll never take another trip without you.

Here's what I've learned, in case this info is helpful to future posters... Everything I can find says it is best to take a tour in the morning because the skies are clearest then.

There are typically about six passengers on a helicopter flight. It doesn't sound like you can be guaranteed a window seat with any of the tour companies (passengers are weighed at check-in and the pilot seats people accordingly), but I've been assured that any seat on a helicopter will have good views.

Grand Canyon airport is only about a ten minute drive from the South Rim of the park, and you have to arrive 30 minutes before flight time for check-in.

Companies that use Eco-Star helicopters (i.e., Maverick) will be more expensive because the equipment is newer, quieter, and designed specifically for sightseeing. Unfortunately they are out of my price range this time around, but I have a feeling this is going to be great regardless.

Just booked a flight. Thanks again!