A Grand Canyon air tour is considered the most comfortable and efficient way to see the National Park. Conducted aboard beautifully appointed fixed-wing aircraft, these aircraft let you see more canyon than any other means of transportation. Before you begin packing your bags, here are seven things that will make sure that this trip option is for you:

#1 From whence will you depart?

There are a few places where you can start an airplane tour. The preferred are Las Vegas, Phoenix, Sedona, AZ, and Flagstaff, AZ. Las Vegas is the most economical. In Arizona, I recommend you rent a car; flights will be prohibitively expensive. South Rim air tours leave from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, which is a small town located 10 minutes from the National Park's front gate.

#2 Which rim do you want to see?

These two rims are the only places in the canyon where aircraft are permitted to fly The arid West Rim is a 25-minute flight from Las Vegas and is best known for its activities and attractions. The South Rim requires a 45-minute flight and is distinguished by its incredible natural beauty and the historic Grand Canyon Village.

#3 Are you interested in experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk?

This attraction is at the West Rim, also known as Grand Canyon West. Known as the "Glass Bridge," the bridge lets you walk 70 feet beyond the edge of the rim. Below you some 4,000 feet is the Colorado River. Seeing the bridge glisten under the bright desert sun is a sight to behold. Optionally, you can upgrade your air tour to include access to the Skywalk. And, if that's not enough, you can include a Las Vegas Strip flyover on the return!

#4 Do you want to fly to the bottom of the canyon?

Flying to the base is something that can only be done at the West Rim. It requires that you deplane and transfer to a helicopter. The 4,000-foot descent is a journey through four geological eras of time (millions of years). Cliffs, spires and buttes fill the landscape. Enjoy a Champagne picnic at the bottom and set about exploring the canyon's timeless base.

#5 Do you want to go river rafting?

1 Day smooth-water float tours can be arranged at both rims. The West Rim requires a helicopter ride to the bottom; your choices include starting immediately upstream or being helicoptered to the base of Hoover Dam where you'll put in. At the South Rim, fly from Grand Canyon Airport to Glen Canyon Dam and take a 15.5-mile rafting tour that includes spectacular Antelope Canyon and historic Lee's Ferry.

#6 Is it your goal to see as much of the canyon as possible in 1 day?

This is almost a toss up. The flight from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Airport covers a lot of ground. But for 100% classic Grand Canyon, nothing rivals Grand Canyon Airline's Grand Discovery airplane tour. Why this package gets so little attention bewilders me. The list of sights you'll see include the South Rim, Dragoon Corridor, Zuni Corridor, Painted Desert, and the North Rim. It's 50 minutes of utter bliss.

#7 If you want the best prices, book your tour online.

The marketplace for Grand Canyon airplane tours is competitive. You are sure to see a lot of offers. Ignore them. The best, most solid deal you will get is from the tour operators themselves. Grand Canyon Airlines, in my opinion, is the low-price leader for high-quality West Rim and South Rim air tours. To get their rock-bottom price, book online. I personally have realized savings of up to 35 percent.

Seeing the Grand Canyon by air is the ultimate way to see this national treasure. Be it West Rim or South Rim, you'll see pretty much see it all. These airplane tours can be expanded to include helicopter flights, rafting trips, and Skywalk passes, and Las Vegas flyovers. They are also the fastest way to go from Las Vegas to the South Rim. These trips are economical, too, especially if you book them online, where you can get up to 35% off. So kick off your shoes, recline your seat, and prepare for departure. Getting to the Grand Canyon and seeing it in all its natural glory has never been easier.