Grand Canyon Helicopter Reviews

#1 Papillon Helicopters

The one word that defines Papillon Helicopters is "value." In other words, if you are looking for low prices, Papillon is the option for you.

Papillon is the largest Grand Canyon sightseeing company in the U.S. The company flies out of Las Vegas, NV, Boulder City, NV, and South Rim, AZ.

Papillon offers basic and deluxe flights. Basic flights utilize the A-Star and Bell Ranger Helicopter. Deluxe flights use the EcoStar 130, which features a 180-degree wraparound windshield and stadium-style seats.

Basic flights take off from Boulder City and require a 35-minute shuttle ride by van. Deluxe tours take off from The Strip and come with free limousine service to/from all major Vegas resort hotels plus a tour over The Strip.

Papillon offers the largest selection of tours. From Vegas, you can pick from air-only and landing tours (both fly over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam). Please note that tours that land at the bottom are ONLY available form Las Vegas.

Papillon's South Rim flights pretty much follow the same script as Vegas', except they are air only or come with a 3-hour Jeep tour. From my experience, Pap's 50-minute air-only flight is the #1 choice because you get to see up to 75 percent of the National Park.

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NOTICE: Grand Canyon helicopters quickly sell out. To get tickets, purchase 1-2 weeks in advance. Lowest prices are online. Must complete booking online to qualify for Internet discount rate. If you need a tour in the next 72 hours, call Keith direct at 702-530-8687 or see him in Live Chat (left side of the page) for immediate assistance.

#2 Maverick Helicopters

Papillon is about value. Maverick Helicopters is about quality. Thus if you are looking for 5-star quality flights, Maverick is the #1 option.

Part of Maverick's prestige is the fact that they exclusively use the EcoStar 130, the most superior sightseeing helicopter in the sky today.

Maverick flies out of Las Vegas, NV, and South Rim, AZ. The Vegas terminal is conveniently located across the street from Mandalay Bay Resort. Further, all Vegas flights go over Lake Mead & the Dam.

The company offers air-only and landing tours from its Vegas location. South Rim tours are air-only. Vegas transportation to the executive terminal is by van; contact Keith if you need to arrange limousine service.

Maverick's landing tours are in high-demand, especially the bottom landing with Champagne picnic. This is followed closely by the tour that goes to the top and the bottom. When it comes to the South Rim, I strongly recommend the 50-minute tour.

Maverick is also famous for it's commitment to excellence. Its pilots have received the latest training and are extremely knowledgeable about the Canyon (a big benefit because they accurately tell you what you are flying over). Customer service (before and after the flight) is ridiculously good because they remove the annoying tedium of logistics associated with a tour.

If you're looking for cheap flights, Maverick IS NOT your option. However, if you are stickler for quality and demand the best when it comes to your travel needs, Maverick is the only way to go.

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#3 Grand Canyon Helicopters (GCH)

Grand Canyon Helicopters is one of the smaller operators to offer flights to the National Park. It's a good thing, too, because if Papillon and Maverick are sold out, you MIGHT be able to get seats on GCH.

GCH offers air and landing tours from Las Vegas (includes going over Lake Mead & Hoover) and South Rim. Like Maverick, they ONLY use the EcoStar 130, which means you'll be paying more but it's worth it because this chopper is the best in its class.

The Vegas GCH tour I like the best is the one that lands at the bottom and includes a boat tour and Skywalk tickets. Please note that this tour is very limited and often sold out so reserve it at least 2 weeks prior.

GCH offers 30-minute and 50-minute helicopter rides from South Rim. The 1/2-hour tour goes from South Rim to the North Rim and back and is great for budget travelers. But if you can find the extra money, I STRONGLY recommend the 50-minute flight.

GCH is a well-run company and, like Papillon and Maverick, has an outstanding safety record. Vegas departures leave from The Strip. The South Rim terminal can be tricky to find but keep your eye on the signs and you'll get there just fine.

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Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Company Reviews

Three main helicopter tour companies operate Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas: Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Maverick Helicopters, and Grand Canyon Helicopters. Each has a distinct positioning, fleet, and guest experience. Here is an overview of what each company offers and how they differ.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

Papillon is the largest helicopter tour company in the United States by volume and the most established Grand Canyon operator. The company has been running Grand Canyon tours for decades and operates a large fleet that includes both the A-Star (a smaller conventional touring helicopter) and the EcoStar 130 (the wide-body panoramic aircraft). The size of Papillon's operation means more departure times and more route variety than either competitor — if you need flexibility on timing or a specific combination of activities, Papillon's schedule is generally the most accommodating.

The A-Star is Papillon's workhorse aircraft for higher-volume tours; the EcoStar 130 is available for premium and deluxe bookings. Guests who book standard tours may find themselves on an A-Star rather than an EcoStar, so if the EcoStar 130 is specifically important to you, confirm the aircraft at the time of booking. Papillon is frequently cited for the best value-per-dollar among the three companies, particularly for guests who are budget-conscious but don't want to sacrifice the canyon experience.

Maverick Helicopters

Maverick Helicopters is the premium competitor — the company that positions itself most explicitly on quality over volume. Maverick flies exclusively in the EcoStar 130; there are no A-Stars in their fleet. Every passenger on every Maverick tour boards a wide-body, floor-to-ceiling panoramic helicopter. This aircraft consistency is a key part of Maverick's identity and why the company commands a premium positioning in the market.

Maverick also holds a notable safety record. The company has maintained a perfect safety record across its operating history, which the company highlights as a defining characteristic. Reviews across travel platforms consistently cite the quality of Maverick pilots and the aircraft condition as differentiators. Maverick is a good choice for guests who want the most premium experience and are willing to pay for aircraft consistency and operational polish.

Grand Canyon Helicopters (GCH)

Grand Canyon Helicopters occupies a distinctive position: a boutique operation that focuses on personalized service rather than volume. Where Papillon and Maverick both operate at scale, GCH keeps its operation smaller and more curated. This means more direct relationships between guests and the company, more flexibility for private and custom tour arrangements, and the kind of personal attention that larger operators cannot provide at volume.

GCH specializes in private VIP tours and is the company behind this site. The focus on EcoStar 130 exclusivity, canyon bottom landings, and custom arrangements — from champagne picnics to limo-and-Strip packages — reflects a specific approach to the market: guests who want the best experience possible, handled with care, rather than the most standard tour at the lowest cost.

How to Choose

For most Las Vegas visitors, the choice comes down to what matters most. If value and schedule flexibility are the priority, Papillon's volume and pricing are hard to beat. If aircraft quality and brand consistency are the priority — and the EcoStar 130 specifically is important — Maverick is the reliable choice. If personalization, private tours, or a curated experience is what you're after, GCH's boutique approach is the strongest fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Grand Canyon helicopter companies equally safe?
All three operate under FAA certification and are required to meet commercial aviation safety standards. Maverick specifically highlights its safety record as a company differentiator. Safety records and regulatory compliance can be checked through the FAA's public database.

Do all three companies offer bottom-landing tours?
Yes — all three offer tours that land at the canyon floor at the West Rim. The canyon floor landing is not exclusive to any one company; it is available through any operator running West Rim tours.

Can I book a specific aircraft type?
With Papillon, confirm the aircraft at booking if the EcoStar 130 is important to you — some tours use the A-Star. Maverick and GCH both use exclusively the EcoStar 130, so aircraft type is not a variable on those tours.

Is there a significant quality difference between companies?
Reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and similar platforms are consistently positive across all three companies. The differences are more in positioning and experience style than in basic quality. All three operate professional, well-maintained flights with experienced pilots familiar with the Grand Canyon route.