Sightseeing Flights in Quebec

Flying by airplane or helicopter in Quebec

Around Montreal, several helicopter tours make it possible to see the city from the air, including the Old Port, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, Olympic Stadium, Mount Royal, Parc Jean-Drapeau, and the St. Lawrence River. Some flights last 20 or 30 minutes depending on the option chosen.

For a sightseeing airplane flight near Montreal, there are also introductory flight experiences, with 45- or 70-minute flights with a ground school portion, then a flight aboard a Cessna 152 or 172. This type of activity is closer to an introduction to flying than to a simple passenger flight.

On the Quebec City side, helicopter tours depart in particular from Jean Lesage International Airport. The routes may pass above Old Quebec, Château Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham, Île d’Orléans, and Montmorency Falls. It is an interesting option if you want to see the city, the river, and the surrounding area without taking a long trip on the ground.

In the Laurentians, Mont-Tremblant is also a well-known area for helicopter tours, with 10-, 20-, or 30-minute flights, and views of Lake Tremblant, the Rouge River valley, and Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

For an airplane flight that is more nature-focused, there are also seaplane flights departing from Trois-Rivières toward La Mauricie National Park with a passage along the Saint-Maurice River, and views of the lakes, the forests, and the St. Lawrence Valley.

The main departure points to remember

1. Montreal: helicopter tours above the city, the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port, Mount Royal, and Olympic Stadium.
2. Quebec City / Jean Lesage Airport: helicopter tours toward Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls, Île d’Orléans, and Château Frontenac.
3. Mont-Tremblant: helicopter tours in the Laurentians, around Lake Tremblant and the nearby valleys.
4. Trois-Rivières: seaplane flights toward La Mauricie National Park and the Saint-Maurice River.
5. Montreal or its area: introductory flying experiences in a light airplane, with Cessna 152 or 172 aircraft depending on the offer.

Airplane or helicopter: which one should you choose?

The airplane is suitable if you want a longer flight, a smoother feeling, and sometimes a first approach to flying. The helicopter gives a more direct experience, with vertical takeoff and a different view of the city or the landscapes. The seaplane adds an original part with takeoff or landing on the water.

For a first sightseeing flight in Quebec, Montreal and Quebec City are the simplest choices for an urban flight, while Mont-Tremblant and La Mauricie are better suited to those who want to see lakes, forests, and mountains.