Helicopter flights in Alaska

Alaska helicopter tour: the essentials (scenic flightseeing)

An Alaska helicopter tour generally begins with a short briefing, then boarding and takeoff. Within a few minutes, the aircraft gains altitude and the view opens up over wide valleys, braided rivers, and rugged mountain ridgelines. Depending on the area you choose, the route emphasizes mountains, glaciers and icefields, or fjords, with a much clearer sense of the terrain than from the ground.

To choose the right tour, you mainly need to look at three points: the listed duration (total time vs. flight time, and whether the briefing is included), the type of route (mountain, glacier, coast), and the seating configuration. Pilot narration or a route map shared in advance helps you identify what you’re flying over, and to easily compare several tour options if you’re deciding between different areas.

Glacier flightseeing in Alaska and glacier landing: the “glacier landing” option

Glacier flightseeing in Alaska changes the experience because you can clearly make out crevasses, serac formations, and bluish areas of the ice, with peaks in the background. By helicopter, the distance is shorter than by airplane, which gives a sense of proximity without losing the overall view.

The “glacier landing” option adds a stop on the ice when conditions allow. Time on the ground remains short, but it is enough to walk for a few minutes, take photos without vibration, and experience a scenic flight in Alaska with time on the glacier. Depending on wind and visibility, the pilot may adjust the route or replace the landing with a longer scenic flight portion.

Where to take an Alaska helicopter tour: Denali, Juneau (Mendenhall) and Anchorage (Knik Glacier)

If the goal is a rugged, inland mountain setting, Denali is often mentioned for its routes around ridgelines and glaciers, with an alpine feel and perspectives that change a lot depending on the season. It is a logical option if you want a wide-open, backcountry feel far from the coast.

In Juneau, helicopter tours to Mendenhall Glacier make it easy to combine the city and a major glacier in the same tour, which works well for short stays. From Anchorage, Knik Glacier provides quick access to an impressive glacial valley, with options that are easy to add to a stay in town or longer excursions depending on the tour length you choose.

Price and duration of a helicopter tour in Alaska: tour options, seasons, and booking

The price and duration of a helicopter tour in Alaska mainly depend on three factors: time in the air, the area (near a city or more remote), and whether a glacier landing add-on is included. A simple scenic flight option and a tour with a glacier landing add-on are priced differently, and operators don’t always list duration the same way (flight time only vs. total time, with briefing and transfers included).

In practice, you should expect prices ranging from several hundred to more than a thousand dollars depending on the duration, area, and options, with a noticeable jump as soon as a glacier landing is included. The most in-demand period is generally between May and September, so departures book up faster on specific dates and the most convenient times.