Grand Canyon South Rim: Airplane Tour & Hummer Upgrade

Summary

Soar over painted desert & kaibab forest then ride open-air hummer along canyon rim

You’ll fly high above the Grand Canyon’s South Rim with oversized windows for wild views of places like Zuni Point and Painted Desert, then (if you want) hop into an open-air Hummer to hit famous viewpoints like Mather Point with a local guide. Expect quick transitions between sky and ground, plenty of photo ops, and moments that stick with you long after landing.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really get it until we were actually up there — the Grand Canyon from ground level is one thing, but flying above it? That’s something else. The airplane windows were huge (I pressed my forehead to the glass, probably left a smudge) and suddenly the Colorado River was just this winding blue thread far below. Our pilot, Mike, pointed out Zuni Point and Imperial Point as we passed; he had this calm way of explaining things that made me feel less nervous about being in a tiny plane. I remember catching a whiff of pine from Kaibab Forest as we took off — or maybe that was just my imagination working overtime.

The in-flight narration was actually interesting, not just background noise. There was this bit about the Painted Desert — how the colors shift depending on the sun. I tried to catch it on camera but honestly, photos don’t really do it justice. I kept thinking about how old everything looked and felt, like time kind of slows down when you’re staring at something that’s been here forever. If you book the day trip from somewhere like Flagstaff or make your way from Cusco (okay, not likely but someone on our flight had), it’s still wild how fast you can cross so much ground by air.

After landing, we had a quick snack (trail mix never tasted so good) before meeting Li for the Hummer part — she grinned when I asked if people ever fall silent at their first view from Mather Point. “All the time,” she said. The Hummer was open-air and kind of bumpy, but I liked feeling the wind kick up dust as we stopped at spots like Yavapai Point and Duck on a Rock. Everyone took turns leaning over railings for photos; some guy almost dropped his phone and we all laughed harder than we should have. The light changed every few minutes — gold one second, then pinkish shadows crawling across the cliffs.

I still think about that hush right before sunset hit Grandview. It wasn’t quiet exactly — you could hear voices drifting over from other groups — but there was this moment where nobody said anything at all. I guess that’s what sticks with me most from this Grand Canyon airplane tour: those flashes where you feel really small in a good way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Grand Canyon Aerial and Optional Hummer Tour

• Fly over eastern Grand Canyon landmarks
• View Zuni Point and Imperial Point
• See Painted Desert from airplane
• Observe Kaibab National Forest scenery
• Spot Desert View Watchtower from air
• Follow Colorado River through canyon
• Enjoy views of pine forests on rims
• If selected, check in for Hummer tour
• Take 2-hour open-air Hummer tour
• Visit 3-4 South Rim viewpoints

Top questions

How long is the Grand Canyon airplane tour?

The scenic air tour lasts about 40 minutes over the South Rim area.

What landmarks do you see during the flight?

You’ll see Zuni Point, Imperial Point, Painted Desert, Kaibab Forest, Colorado River, and Desert View Watchtower.

Is there an option to add a ground tour?

Yes—after your flight you can upgrade to a 2-hour open-air Hummer tour along several viewpoints on the South Rim.

Are hotel pickups included?

No hotel pickup is included; tours start near Grand Canyon airport terminals.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes—both airplane and Hummer options are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants join this Grand Canyon airplane tour?

Yes—infants under two can join as lap children with proof of age.

How many viewpoints are visited on the Hummer tour?

The Hummer visits 3-4 viewpoints such as Pipe Creek Vista, Duck on a Rock, Grandview, Moran, Yavapai Point or Mather Point.

What’s included

Your day includes a 40-minute scenic airplane flight with oversized windows for better views and live narration throughout; all entry fees and taxes are covered. If you choose to upgrade to the Hummer option after landing (just five minutes from the airport), you'll also get a two-hour open-air ride stopping at several iconic canyon viewpoints before heading back.