Glacier Bay Flightseeing Charter Tour

Join renown local pilot Drake Olson on a 1-hour private flightseeing tour over the East Arm of Glacier Bay National Park. With over 20 years of mountain flying experience in this terrain, Drake has the skills and the knowledge to make sure that your flight excursion will make memories that last a lifetime. Whether you are a professional photographer, curious to see massive glaciers up close or just want to sit back, relax and enjoy the view, this excursion will certainly deliver. It is difficult to describe in words the grandeur of this magical place, home to endless mountains and giant glaciers spilling slowly into the sea. Because it is one of our least accessible National Parks, flightseeing is a great way to experience the scope and awe of Glacier Bay National Park.

Drake’s hangar includes a Cessna 206, a Cessna 180 and a Piper Super Cub bush plane. Each plane has been rebuilt and is maintained under FAA regulations. Your tour would likely explore in the 206, since it has a 5 person capacity.

The tour includes ground transportation to and from the Skagway cruise ship dock. Charters can be arranged on most days, although the departures may be cancelled due to high winds or inclement weather. However, even if it is cloudy in Skagway, the weather can be clear over the ice cap and glaciers of Glacier Bay. Please call or email for availability. Group weight restrictions may apply.

• Passengers should always bring sunglasses, even when it is cloudy in town.
• The plane will be warm, but bring a jacket just in case.
• Photography is encouraged, although long lenses may not fit well inside the airplane cockpit.
• Tour departures may be cancelled due high winds or inclement weather.

(~20 min) – Meet up at the dock, and drive out to the airport to meet up with your pilot.
(~10 min) – Meet with Drake, your Alaskan Bush Pilot, and get an orientation with the aircraft and safety briefing.
(~1 hour) – Flightseeing over the glaciers and mountains. Typically we'd travel to Glacier Bay East Arm, but exact area will vary depending on the weather and conditions. Drake is sure to make it a memorable flightseeing experience.
(~15 min) – Land back at the airport, and drive back to the cruise ship dock

Where will I meet my guide?
Your guide will meet you 15 minutes prior to the tour start time to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. If you are arriving by cruise ship, your guide will meet you at the end of the pier that your ship docks at. Otherwise the meeting location is the Small Boat Harbor sign. CLICK HERE to see a map detailing these locations in Skagway. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Skagway and Haines Excursions".
Who is my pilot?
Drake Olson as been an Alaskan bush plane pilot for over 20 years. He has extensive experience flying throughout the region, and intimate with the local mountains and glaciers.
Is the plane loud?
Everyone will be offered stereo headsets on the plane to allow for easy conversation and noise reduction. This makes it easy to speak with the pilot and learn about the surrounding scenery.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes - there is a bathroom at the cruise ship dock, and at the airport. There are no restrooms on the plane.
Do you cancel due to weather?
In the instance weather does cause us to cancel the tour you will be refunded in full and provided with assistance with finding an alternative activity for the day. Often times, the weather may seem cloudy, but a short distance away, the sky is clear, and there is great flightseeing. Safety is our number 1 priority, and if the weather doesn't accommodate safe flying, your tour would be cancelled.
What wildlife will I see?
Though wildlife can never be guaranteed, it is common to spot mountain goats or the occasional bear from the airplane.