LAS VEGAS – PAPILLON GRAND CANYON HELICOPTERS
Papillon Helicopters 888-635-7272
275 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV
"As the author of the Helicopter Tour Guide, I've been on a lot of helicopter rides all over the country and I have to say that Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters has got to be one of my all-time favorites! They've been around a long time and they always deliver a first class experience!" Phil Davis / Publisher
PAPILLON GRAND CANYON HELICOPTERS
- 16+ Stunning Photos of Papillon's Grand Canyon Tours
- 12 Detailed Tour Descriptions
- Guest Reviews
- Direct Link to Check Availability & Reserve a Flight
Papillon's History
The pipeline across the Grand Canyon providing water to the South Rim is where Papillon's story begins. Before becoming Chairman of Papillon Airways, Elling Halvorson owned a construction company that specialized in projects located in high logistic remote areas. When the need arose for a pipeline needing to cross 13.5 miles of treacherous canyon terrain, Halvorson's team seemed best suited for the job. Though not expected to be an easy job, laying the pipe would require pioneering methods to ensure its completion. Halvorson decided to utilize helicopters to the move huge sections of the pipe over a vertical mile into the Canyon. Each day that workers and guests would fly to the project, the majestic scenery was so captivating they began requesting chartered helicopter flights. In 1965, Grand Canyon Helicopters was born.
Today, Papillon Airways Inc. continues to operate its largest base in Grand Canyon, Arizona. The company offers air tours of the Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon West, Las Vegas, Sedona, Flagstaff, Phoenix and Scottsdale. Offering several tours ranging from 30 minutes to all day and overnight excursions, including ground activities, Papillon tours are designed to afford maximum flight time so guests can discover the great wilderness and scenic attractions in and around the Canyon.
Papillon (taken from the French word for "butterfly") is the only company that flies the entire Grand Canyon, including areas untouched by man and inaccessible by foot. This special distinction means that all Papillon pilots are "top flight," having logged thousands of hours in flying time, and are additionally trained to fly all areas of the Canyon in an environmentally conscientious way, leaving the Canyon in its original, pristine condition for millions of future visitors.
Being the premiere helicopter sightseeing company in the world, Papillon offers the little extras that help make any trip special: Friendly staffers that provide award-winning service; individual stereo headphones that let the observers enjoy interludes of dramatic stereophonic music and the pilot's expert flight narration (available in eleven languages); and climate controlled helicopters with oversized viewing windows that lets passengers enjoy the Canyon's grand beauty in comfort.
Courtesy van pick-up from most Grand Canyon area hotels to the Papillon heliport is also available, as is van pick-up to most of the hotels on the Las Vegas Strip to Papillon's southern Nevada heliports. Throughout its history, Papillon has created special events for Allstate Insurance, Digital Equipment, Ford Motor Company, IBM, and many more.
“Papillon offers so many incredible helicopter tours that it’s almost impossible to choose! I’ve experience a lot of helicopter tours and for my money, the Grand Celebration Tour is one of the most dynamic in the world!”
Phil Davis – Publisher of the Helicopter Tour Guide
Helicopters: EC-130 ECO Stars and Eurocopter A-Stars
Papillon's Unique History With One of The Seven Wonders Of The World
Since 1965 Papillon Helicopters has been the world's oldest and largest sightseeing company flying an estimated 600,000 passengers a year on its daily tours to the Grand Canyon. With over forty unique excursions – that feature spectacular sights of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Monument Valley, Page/Lake Powell, and unforgettable views of the Grand Canyon – Papillon is proud to offer their guests an unparalleled perspective of one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
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GOLDEN EAGLE AIR TOUR - $229 pp
The Golden Eagle Air Tour is perfect for Las Vegas guests who are pressed on time and desire to see as much of the Grand Canyon as possible. They include aerial views of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the spectacular Grand Canyon. The tour is hosted aboard one of the state-of-the-art EcoStar EC130 helicopters, the safest and most comfortable-tourism based helicopters in the world.
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GRAND CELEBRATION TOUR - $314 pp
The Grand Celebration is the crowning jewel in the selection of Papillon Helicopter Tours and easily the most popular - likely to sell-out weeks in advance! This helicopter tour provides stunning aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and of course the Grand Canyon. This tour lands at the bottom of the canyon on a private plateau overlooking the mighty Colorado River.
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IMPERIAL AIR TOUR $232 pp
The Imperial Air Tour takes guests over the ponderosa pines of Kaibab National Forest on a 45-minute helicopter excursion from the Grand Canyon South Rim. The views here are stunning as guests can easily see over a hundred miles of canyon.
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MAJESTIC TOUR $189 - $194 pp
The Majestic Air Tour ventures through the Dragon Corridor of the Grand Canyon's south rim. It's at this point that the canyon is at it widest, deepest, and most geographically dynamic.
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NORTH CANYON TOUR - $164 - $169 pp
The North Canyon tour takes guests over the Kaibab National Forest. The central region of Grand Canyon is at its most diverse with the width of the canyon being close to 11 miles across and a vertical mile deep. See the Tower of Ra and Vishnu Schist as you fly back through the Dragon Corridor.
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GRAND VOYAGER EXPEDITION $369- $374 pp
Guests on the Grand Voyager Expedition receive one of the most comprehensive Grand Canyon experiences available. Grand Canyon airplane tours from Las Vegas land on the canyon's west rim, helicopters whisk passengers 4,000 feet the bottom to meet waiting pontoon boats for a peaceful Grand Canyon rafting tour up river through the spectacular Grand Canyon.
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GRAND KINGDOM - $248 - $253 pp
The Grand Kingdom Tour departs Grand Canyon Airport and proceeds over the eastern portion of Grand Canyon, the Little Colorado confluence, the north rim of the Grand Canyon and the Dragon Corridor. These areas offer guests the most comprehensive views and experiences available to any traveler.
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OVER THE EDGE TOUR
Embark on a aerial tour which includes a breathtaking descent 4,000 foot descent to land smoothly on the floor of the Grand Canyon. There, surrounded by the towering stone walls and spires, you are immersed in the canyon's legendary beauty. Pontoon boats wait to take guests for a cruise on the Colorado river that offers additional and unique perspectives on the surrounding landscape.
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TOWER BUTTE LANDING TOUR $245 pp
Rising 5,000 feet above sea level, Tower Butte is one of Mother Nature's most unique formations, providing the perfect setting for your Helicopter Landing adventure! you will fly eastward over Antelope Canyon, Land of the Navajo Nation and Lake Powell as your Helicopter ascends Tower Butte. You won't believe your eyes when you touch down and disembark. The 360-degree panoramic view is absolutely breathtaking
Overview of Tours at Papillon
"Recently my husband and I were in Las Vegas and did the Grand Celebration helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon with Papillon Airways. There were many offers out there but we found Papillon had what we wanted at a fairly reasonable price - still costly but a must do (after all, it's one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World!). “ Renee C.
Itinerary | Photo Gallery | Guest Comments Check Availability | Book a Tour
Locations for Papillon
Boulder City Terminal
Address:
Papillon GC Heli
1265 Airport Rd.
Boulder City, NV,89005
[Click Here for Map]
The Papillon Boulder City passenger terminal is located on the Boulder City Municipal Airport in historic Boulder City, Nevada. Purchased in 2004, it serves as a launching point for many of our most popular tours including the "Grand Celebration". This spacious facility also serves as the air departure point for all of our airline guests visiting either the Grand Canyon's South Rim or Grand Canyon West.
South Rim Terminal
Address:
Papillon Heliport
3568 Airport Rd
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
[Click Here for Map]
Located at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN), Papillon's South Rim passenger facility is a state of the art masterpiece in heliport design. Built with guest service in mind, this facility boasts a large gift shop, espresso cart, 30 minute photo processing, and a large plate glass staging area offering nearly 180 degree view of the arriving and departing aircraft. The facility can easily accommodate over 1000 passengers a day!
Eurocopter EC-130
Facts About the Helicopter:
Seat Class: First Class
Capacity: 6/7 + Pilot
Special Features: All AStar features plus:
Oversized Windows
Person to Person Communication
Plush Stadium Seating
A-Star Helicopter
Facts About the Helicopter:
Seat Class: Standard
Capacity: 6+ Pilot
Special Features: All Forward Facing Seats
Digital Audio Narration
3 Bladed Rotor System
Air Conditioned Comfort
Bell Helicopter 407 (Contracts and Charters Only)
Facts About the Helicopter:
Seat Class: Standard
Capacity: 6+ Pilot
Special Features: Low Skids for Each Entry/Exit
Digital Audio Narration
Patented Vista View Windows for exceptional picture taking
Bell Helicopter 206
Facts About the Helicopter:
Seat Class: Standard
Capacity: 6+ Pilot
Special Features: Low Skids for Each Entry/Exit
Digital Audio Narration
Patented Vista View Windows for
exceptional picture taking
Papillon's Unique History With of One of The Seven Wonders Of The World
Since 1965 Papillon Helicopters has been the world's oldest and largest sightseeing company flying an estimated 600,000 passengers a year on its daily tours to the Grand Canyon. With over forty unique excursions – that feature spectacular sights of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Monument Valley, Page/Lake Powell, and unforgettable views of the Grand Canyon – we at Papillon are proud to offer our guests an unparalleled perspective of one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
The aircraft are specifically designed for sightseeing with some on-board upgrades developed and patented by Papillon itself. All offer pre-recorded narratives in 11 languages (12 including English) for passengers. Our catalog of tours and activities which extend beyond the rotor and wing to include guided tours on horseback, hiking, picnics, river rafting, ensure travelers a variety of options and an up close and personal experience they'll carry with them long after they leave.
As member in good standing of The Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS), Papillon abides by flight safety rules and regulations that substantially exceed the regulations required by the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, the program infuses the safety mindset into the very culture of our company.
Fast Facts
• Fleet: 48
• Employees: 600+
• Established: 1965
• Corporate Sales and Marketing: Las Vegas, NV
• Corporate Accounting: Boulder City, NV
• Models: Bell 206L, 206B, Bell 407, A-Star 350B BA B2, MD900, EC130, deHavilland Twin Otter
• Utility and Contract Division supports: Grand Canyon National Park, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Defense, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Game & Fish, Tucson Electric Power, Bar 10 Ranch
• Airport Locations: McCarran Intl(LAS), Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN), Boulder City Airport (61B), Grand Canyon West Airport(1G4), Page Muni (PGA)
Helicopter Fact Sheet