Many people want to know what Grand Canyon plane tours are the best. Tough question because each flight has its own unique way of exploring the canyon. The best tours take you over notable landmarks and offer amenities for a comfortable flight.

First of all, you have to decide which rim of the canyon you want to see. Your choices include the South or West Rim of the canyon. If you are in Las Vegas, you can fly to the West Rim. Although it is trickier, you can also get to the South Rim from Vegas by way of the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. There are no direct flights between the West and South Rim.

Air tours depart from Vegas 365 days per year including major holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. In the rare instance that a flight is cancelled, you can get a refund or switch your reservation to a seat on a later flight.

It takes around 30 minutes to fly from Las Vegas to the West Rim since it is only 120 miles away. There are two types of flight tours to choose from, the landing tour and the air only tour. The air only tours are a great option when you have a tight budget or don't have much time to spare.

However, the landing tours are very popular for several reasons. Since you are visiting one of the most popular Seven Natural Wonders of the World, you definitely want an experience to remember. On these air tours, you see the Grand Canyon from above and up close on the ground. When your tour is over, you will have an immense appreciation for the beauty and majesty of the region.

So which landing tours are best? Choose one that lands at Grand Canyon West Airport where you get on a chopper for a thrilling ride to the bottom of the canyon, and also includes passes to the glass Grand Canyon Skywalk. Another good option is a flight to the West Rim that lets you out on the top of the rim and allows you two and a half hours to visit these highlights of the area:

• The Informational Indian Cultural Center
• Eagle Point lookout
• The lookout at Guano Point
• Hualapai Ranch

Expect to spend anywhere from six to nine hours on landing tours like these.

Vegas to South Rim is another trip that folks love. The flight takes less than an hour (compared to a 5.5 hour bus ride!) and comes with a 2.5 hour bus tour that hits all the Park's highlights like Mather Point and Grand Canyon Village. You can also add an exciting helicopter option that takes you from rim to rim.

The South Rim flight that departs Grand Canyon Airport is perfect for travelers coming up from Phoenix, Sedona, Scottsdale and Flagstaff. This is a 45 minute air tour and it's one of the most extensive I've ever done. It covers the South Rim, East Rim and North Rim, and passes over such sights like:

• The impressive Colorado River Confluence
• Navajo Indian Reservation
• The widest and deepest section called Dragoon Corridor
• The interesting Zuni Corridor
• The scenic Painted Desert
• The tallest point called Imperial Point

The other South Rim airplane tour I like combines an Antelope Canyon Jeep tour with a 15.3 mile smooth water float tour from the base of Glen Canyon Dam to historic Lee's Ferry. The great thing about this rafting trip is that there are no rapids and kids as young as four years of age can do it.

The airplane tours mentioned offer fantastic experiences and give you a lot for the price. Give them a look. You are sure to find the ideal air tour that fits the interests of everyone in your group.