Flightseeing

A handful of companies, based at Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, offer scenic airplane or helicopter rides over the canyon. With hundreds of thousands of people taking air tours over the canyon every year, the flights, which generate a great deal of noise in parts of the park and have raised safety concerns following a few crashes over the years, have become a politically charged issue. The use of quieter technology is being considered.

For many vacationers, however, the question is not whether to fly, but whether to take an airplane or a helicopter. The airplane flights, by and large, last longer and cost less. Most airplane tours remain airborne for 40 to 50 minutes and cost about $125 per person; most helicopter tours fly for 25 to 50 minutes, and range from $150 to $235. The planes also cover more ground, crossing the canyon near Hermits Rest and returning along the East Rim, near Desert View. The helicopter tours, meanwhile, usually fly out and back in the same corridor near Hermits Rest (though some do go for the full loop.) The helicopters cruise lower -- just above the rim. And while they're not immune to an occasional bump, they tend to be smoother. (Tip: Whether you take an airplane or helicopter, go early in the day for a smoother flight.)

The following companies offer air tours originating from Tusayan: Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters (tel. 800/528-2418; www.papillon.com); Air Grand Canyon (tel. 800/247-4726 or 928/638-2686; www.airgrandcanyon.com); Maverick Helicopters (tel. 800/962-3869; www.maverickhelicopter.com); Grand Canyon Airlines (tel. 866/235-9422; www.grandcanyonairlines.com); and Scenic Airlines (tel. 800/634-6801; www.scenic.com). Some of these companies also offer longer, more expensive tours that combine flights with short river cruises and lunch.