Grand Canyon helicopter tour questions

The landing tours from Las Vegas by Maverick, Papillon and 5 Star, and Maverick’s flight from Grand Canyon West. They land on the canyon floor near the Colorado River, at the West Rim or at the Grand Canyon Western Ranch. The flights from Tusayan at the South Rim do not land.

Maverick lands 3,500 feet below the rim, about 300 feet above the Colorado River. Papillon lists 3,200 feet for its canyon floor landings. 5 Star descends 1,500 feet below the rim on its way to the Western Ranch.

With Papillon and 5 Star on most tours, from selected hotels; on Papillon’s VIP West Rim tour it is an option. Maverick has no hotel transfer; you check in at its terminal on the Strip 45 minutes before take-off.

45 minutes before take-off with Maverick in Las Vegas and at Grand Canyon West, and with Papillon if you drive to Boulder City yourself. 30 minutes at the South Rim terminals in Tusayan and with 5 Star.

Above the limit you buy an additional seat. Maverick: 300 lb on the Las Vegas tours, 275 lb at the South Rim and at Grand Canyon West. Papillon: 300 lb (136 kg), paid to the operator on the day. 5 Star: 250 lb (112 kg).

A government-issued photo ID for everyone 18 and older. Maverick accepts a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or a valid passport, not photocopies or digital images, and refuses check-in without a refund if it is missing. 5 Star also asks for a credit card at check-in.

Yes. Children under two sit on an adult’s lap with proof of age such as a birth certificate or passport. With Maverick and 5 Star every child from two years needs its own seat. With Papillon at the South Rim children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Not guaranteed. Seats are assigned by weight and balance at check-in. Papillon’s helicopters take up to six passengers, so larger groups are split over several aircraft.

Maverick flies with at least four passengers, 5 Star with at least five on its shared flight from the Western Ranch. If a South Rim flight does not reach the minimum, Maverick offers an alternative.

A camera or phone is fine. Papillon does not allow luggage, backpacks, drones, tripods or selfie sticks; Maverick at the South Rim does not allow food, drinks or large bags. Wear comfortable shoes.

It depends on the seller and the operator: from 24 hours to 3 days before the flight, and the deadline is on every card. Maverick allows changes and cancellations up to 72 hours before, asks you to reconfirm 72 hours ahead and charges no-shows in full.

Yes. Cards of Maverick and Papillon flights link first to the operator’s own booking page and then to the seller. The price on the card is the seller’s; the operator’s price can differ by date and time.

On the South Rim Hummer combinations, yes. Since 1 January 2026 the National Park Service charges non-US residents an entrance fee on commercial ground tours; children 15 and under are free and an America the Beautiful annual pass covers it. It is not part of the booking price.