To me, tours on Grand Canyon helicopters are the best way to see the National Park. When you see the canyon from the air, you will understand why it is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Here are five tips that will help you plan a fantastic tour:

TIP #1 - The landing tours are best, so book one if you can. While they do cost more, the price is worth it because you get a more comprehensive experience at the canyon. You will see the canyon from the air and also close up from the ground. Landing tours are only offered on Grand Canyon choppers flying out of Vegas to the West Rim ? federal regulations prohibit them at the South Rim. One of the fun landing tours you can take flies you to the bottom of the canyon floor where a nice champagne picnic awaits. A different tour comes with the chopper ride to the canyon floor and VIP passes to the Skywalk on top of the rim.

TIP #2 - For the most comfortable experience, choose a tour that uses EcoStar 130 sightseeing choppers. These choppers have large cabins that offer plenty of room with comfy stadium-style seating, huge windshields for better viewing, comfortable climate control, and an exceptionally quiet ride.

TIP #3 - Choose the longer, fifty minute tour if you choose to go to the South Rim. You'll have a choice between it and a shorter thirty minute tour. The longer tour is a better deal. These tours depart from Grand Canyon National Park Airport and fly you over the South Rim, North Rim, East Rim, and the dramatic Dragoon Corridor, which is the deepest and widest part of the Grand Canyon. These tours are even better if you upgrade to the EcoStar 130 chopper for the ultimate viewing experience.

TIP #4 - Forget about paying extra for the front-seat upgrade. You can book the seat in advance, but there is no guarantee you will get to claim it. Seats are assigned based on passenger weight, not on who buys the front-seat upgrade. That way the weight will be divided evenly in the helicopter. So you might pay for the front seat and have to sit in the back anyway, but on the other hand, you might luck out and get a front seat without even requesting it. The helicopters only take six people at a time, so you always have a 1 in 6 chance of getting the coveted front seat.

TIP #5 - Be sure to book your tour online. Although this is the last tip, it is the most important if you want to save money. The best prices are always online. You don't even have to spend a lot of time searching for the best price. All you have to do is book your flight on the tour company's website. By booking your tour online, you can take advantage of the low Internet rate.

These are some of the most important tips to keep in mind when planning your chopper tour. Make sure you choose a flight that goes to the Rim you prefer: the South Rim is mostly known for its natural beauty, while the West is more for people who seek thrills and excitement. The helicopter tours that go to the West Rim originate in the city of Vegas while the ones that tour the South Rim originate at the airport situated outside the main gates to Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim.

You will have a lot of fun! Get ready to see the Grand Canyon from the air, the way it deserves!