Flightseeing - Seeing Arizona the the Westwind Way - Luxury, Scenery, Excitement

So Much of Arizona - So Fast - So Easy

After flying with Westwind Air, I have come upon a new word and a new way to see the beauty of the Southwest - "flightseeing." Flightseeing is a way to see the geology of Arizona, not from 35,000 feet like we usually do when we fly, but from 1,000 feet. At 1,000 feet, secure in the luxury of Westwind's single-engine Caravan, you can see the layers of beautiful rock in the canyons and enjoy seeing a whole lake at once, glimmering in the sun. You can experience the changes of the land as you fly from desert to pine woods. And after a flight over a dusty plateau dotted with dark green shrubs, you'll thrill to the sight of the ground opening, an awesome canyon appearing, and a shiny red ribbon of water visible deep within the canyon. Such is flightseeing, a truly different way to explore Arizona.

One of Those Secrets Not Everyone Knows About

Unless you are prompted by the concierge at a local resort hotel, you might not know about flightseeing with Westwind. I certainly didn't until I needed to get to the VIP Grand Opening of the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West. I was strategizing how I would get from Phoenix to Kingman, and then, in my little Honda Civic, navigate 14 miles of dusty washboard road from Peach Springs to the Hualapai lands and Grand Canyon West.

One Hour to the Skywalk

Thanks to Skywalk promoters, It was suggested that I head out to Deer Valley Airport, 30 minutes from my home, and take a chartered flightseeing trip to Grand Canyon West with Westwind. Fight time? Just an hour! And, I would be able to take photos from the air. Was I in heaven or what?

First Class - Personal Service

We gathered around 9am and followed our pilot to the beautiful plane which held 9 passengers. All the seats were "First Class" size and very comfortable. A passenger's teen-age daughter was given the thrill of her life when the pilot asked if she would like to ride in the right seat. In this size plane we all fly in one cabin. There is no cockpit door to separate us. And, it was fascinating to watch the pilot fly, and see the navigation equipment.

In Photographer's Heaven

I snapped photos as we headed over Lake Pleasant, over rolling hills and to the canyonlands. It was very exciting to see the new Grand Canyon Skywalk from the air as the plane made a wide turn into the Grand Canyon West landing strip.

You Have to Try Flightseeing!

As we flew, I found out that, among other trips, Westwind offers a whirlwind tour of Arizona where you will see the Red Rocks of Sedona, the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. After landing at Monument Valley you board a four-wheel drive vehicle for an hour and a half tour with the Navajo, through the most dramatic rock formations of the Colorado Plateau. If you have only one day in Arizona, this tour would give you the thrill of your life and would ensure that you see the beauty that Arizona has to offer. Or... you could sit by the pool and read "Arizona Highways!"

When you consider what you will see, the level of comfort and the fact that your tour will be guided and informative, the prices seem rather reasonable.

Westwind offers the following flightseeing opportunities:

• Grand Canyon Deluxe South Rim Tour- Land at the Grand Canyon Airport for a guided tour of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Your tour will include a stop at one of the impressive South Rim overlooks, and the Grand Canyon Historic Village where you can enjoy the El Tovar Hotel and walk part of the rim trail.
• Grand Canyon Adventure Tour - This tour takes you to Grand Canyon West and you will see some of the same sights I did. You can choose a very adventurous option where you will helicopter to the bottom of the canyon for a short river rafting experience. And, yes, they helicopter you back up. If that is a bit too exciting you can choose the option where you can have some fun at Hualapai Ranch for a ‘wild west’ experience.
• Grand Canyon Air and Rail Tour - For those that don't want to miss the Grand Canyon Railway excursion, you can experience a scenic flight over some of Arizona's most beautiful landscapes enroute to the historic town of Williams where you will catch the train into the National Park, tour the sights and return to the Grand Canyon Airport for your flight back to Deer Valley Airport (Phoenix).
• Sedona Aerial Tour- This is a short tour which is great if you have a half day. Even with such limited time, you will have the joy of seeing some of the most beautiful red rock formations, all from the air.
• Sedona Aerial and Jeep Tour - Savor a bit more of Sedona. Westwind will land at the beautiful Sedona airport, high on a red rock mesa, and you will go on a half hour backcountry jeep tour. Top it off with a bit of shopping at Sedona's Tlaquepaque Shopping Village. What a day!
• Monument Valley Tour - This is the tour I mentioned where you can see the best of Arizona in a day. After your tour, savor a delicious Navajo Taco lunch at Goulding’s Lodge before your return flight to Phoenix.

Details on these Westwind trips.

A Great Way to See Arizona

With only a brief flightseeing experience, I am sold on the concept. The planes are safe, the itineraries show you the best Arizona has to offer and, you avoid freeway traffic. Whether you are a traveler with time limitations, a photographer wanting aerial shots, or an adventurous type who wants to soar the skies not all that far from the ground, this is a great way to see Arizona!

Flightseeing Arizona Photos

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary flight for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.