Directory of Ketchikan Alaska Air Charters

Often considered 'The Highlight of an Alaskan Cruise'


Choosing from the many companies providing Ketchikan Alaska air charters including Flightseeing tours to the Misty Fjords can be a little overwhelming as there are so many to choose from! But hang in there! Whether you are looking for Ketchikan flightseeing, Misty Fjord flights, Alaska bear viewing flights, air taxi services or private air charter services all via float planes or helicopters, you'll find them in Ketchikan!



Float Planes provide the Ketchikan Alaska Air ChartersFloat planes are used for Ketchikan Alaska air charters


You will notice a few different types of float planes cruising around but one, by far, is the most prevalent: the DeHaviland Beaver. Although they were only produced for 20 years, the Beavers are often called "the best bush plan ever built". There were lest than 2000 built but were specifically designed for the rugged conditions of Northern Canada. The Beaver is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney R985 supercharged 9 cylinder radial engine which puts out 450 horsepower.


Here's a great video discussing the Beaver:


Flightseeing options to consider:


While most flightseeing tours are similar, here are some differences in Ketchikan Alaska air charters to consider:

  • Landing & Exit - Does the price include a 2nd water landing? Do you get to walk onto land or are you only able to exit onto the pontoons or docks?
  • Narration - Do you listen to the pilot's narration and get to talk to them and fellow passengers during the trip or do you listen to a pre-recorded narration?
  • Type of Plane - Small (Cessna 185 with a max of 4 passenger), medium (de Havilland Beaver, max 6 passenger), or large (de Havilland Turbine Otters max 10 passenger? 
  • Do all seats include a window? And what is the minimum passenger count the tour will fly with?
  • Bear Viewing - Do they go to Anan Creek, Neets Bay, Traitor's Cove, or other areas?
  • Where can you purchase tickets - Online? Inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center? On the cruise ships?
  • Type of Business - is it a large, multi-plane operation or small, one plane, one owner tour companies?
  • Cancellation Policy - Bad Weather cancellation? Minimum passenger cancellations? General cancellation policy?
  • Discounts available - Military discounts? AAA? Early-bird? Group Discounts? Returning visitors?


Directory of Ketchikan Alaska Air Charters offering Flightseeing Tours

Taquan Air Ketchikan Tours


 - Taquan Air offers flightseeing tours to the Misty Fjords National Monument, Anan Creek bear tours, flights & crab feasts, & shorter flights around the area.  They also fly out to the USFS Cabins & lakes for fishing. Not to mention the daily scheduled flights to many Southeast Alaska communities, and private Alaska air charters. They are the largest flightseeing company in Ketchikan with 16 planes and 2 maintenance facilities. 

Taquan Air has been operating for over 30 years and they operate both the DeHavilland Beavers, carrying 6 passengers and Otters, carrying 10 passengers . They have many options for flightseeing from shorter, 30 minute flights to longer 3 1/2 hour flights with bear viewing or even crab feasts (The Mountain Top Flightseeing & Crab Feast). During the stop you step onto dock-like floats and can wander around to take photos of the plane & lush surroundings.

They also have been awarded the Medallion Shield, the highest safety recognition in aviation in Alaska. Tours can be purchased directly on their website, inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available), or through the Cruise Ships.

Read all about my personal experience with Taquan Air and Check out their Tripadvisor reviews here.




 - Misty Fjords Air & Outfitting is a family owned business, the first company to fly regular tours into the Misty Fjords, and holds a perfect safety record since their inception in 1981. They have three planes; a small, 4 passenger Cessna 185, medium 6 passenger de Havilland Beaver and large, 10 passenger de Havilland Turbine Otter.


Misty Fjords Air & Outfitting Air Charter Services in Ketchikan Alaska

Misty Fjords Air & Outfitting provides private, custom Alaska air charters, transportation to the many lodges & USFS cabins in the area, fly-out fishing, flightseeing to the Misty Fjords, specialty services (including eco tours!), and expediting. They pride themselves by providing high end Executive Class service to all guests.

Their aircraft have also been upgraded to include oversized panoramic view windows - a photographer's dream!

Read the user reviews & comments here. 





 - Alaska Seaplane Tours is yet another small, family owned company in Ketchikan, this one with two planes available for Ketchikan Alaska air charters - a Cessna 185 and a de Havilland Beaver.

Alaska Seaplane Tours, of course, offers flightseeing tours to the Misty Fjords with optional Glacial fiords extension, bear viewing on Prince of Wales Island, fishing tours, and lots of custom options! Tours can be purchased directly on their website or inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available)

Read more of the reviews & comments about Alaska Seaplane Tours. 




 - Pirate Airworks provides flightseeing tours to the Misty Fjords, air charter services, Bear tours, fly-in charters for fishing and hunting trips, & charter service to USFS cabins.

They have two de Havilland Beavers, carrying 6 passengers, and also own Yes Bay Lodge, an exclusive salt-water and fresh-water fishing lodge located 50 miles north of Ketchikan.

In fact, one of their tours is called the 'Cruise Passenger Adventure' and includes a Misty Fjords flight AND an Alaskan seafood lunch at Yes Bay Lodge. What an amazing experience!

Tours can be purchased directly on their website and inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available).





 - Seawind Aviation is still another small, family owned company in Ketchikan, flying the de Havilland Beaver. As with the other small tour companies, they offer Misty Fjord tours, Alaska bear viewing tours at Traitors Cove, guided fishing tours, and access to the local favorite USFS cabins.

Tours can be purchased directly on their website or inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available).

Be sure to book early (By April 1st) for the best deal!

Read more of the reviews & comments about Seawind Aviation.



 - Mountain Air Service, one of the newest family owned & operated flightseeing companies in Ketchikan, provides flightseeing tours to the Misty Fjords, Glacier Viewing flights, air charter services, Bear tours, fly-in charters for fishing and hunting trips, & charter service to USFS cabins.

They have one de Havilland Beaver, carrying 6 passengers. Randy & his wife are both born & raised right here in Ketchikan and although they are new at their own business, Randy has been flying in Southeast Alaska over 11 years!

Tours can be purchased directly on their website and inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available).

Read the user reviews & comments here.


 - Carlin Air is yet another small, family owned company in Ketchikan, this one with two planes available for Ketchikan Alaska air charters - a Cessna 185 and a de Havilland Beaver.

Misty Fjords tours, bear viewing tours at Anan bear observatory or Traitor's Cove, both unguided and guided fishing tours, and access to the local favorite southeastern Alaskan USFS cabin system are the primary charter flights offered by Carlin Air. Tours can be purchased directly on their website or inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available). Book early (by March 15th) for an additional discount.

Read more of the reviews & comments about Carlin Air.

Check out this spectacular video!





 - Island Wings Air Service is a one-plane, one-pilot company run by Ketchikan local Michelle Masden who offers both longer flights and the opportunity to go ashore during your stop, allowing you to look around & enjoy the gorgeous surroundings! Although one of the smallest of the Ketchikan Alaska air charters Island Wings is acclaimed by tourists as the best Ketchikan Alaska flightseeing tour. 

Island Wings Air Charter Services in Ketchikan Alaska

Island Wings has been operating since 1993 and her Float Plane is a de Havilland Beaver, carrying 6 passengers. She offers flightseeing to the Misty Fjords with an optional Glacial fiords extension, bear viewing at both Anan Creek or Traitor's Cove, Half day fishing tours, and lots of custom options including whale watching! Tours can be purchased directly on their website or inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available).

Read the many glowing reviews & comments about Island Wings Air Service.





Family Air Tours Ketchikan Alaska Air Charters

 - Family Air Tours is another family owned - company run by Dave Rocke, a local Ketchikanite. They have both a smaller, Cessna 185 with a maximum of 4 passengers and a minimum of 2 (which is unheard of!), and a DeHavilland Beaver (6 seats).

Family Air Tours also offers flightseeing tours to the Misty Fjords with an optional Glacial fiords extension, bear viewing at Anan Creek, fishing tours, and lots of custom options including whale watching! His flights range from 30 minutes to 5 hours and are backed by one of the best cancellation policies available! Tours can be purchased directly on their website or inside the Ketchikan Visitor's Center upon arrival (if available)

**Book early - before March 15th - for a discount!**

Read more of the reviews & comments about Family Air Tours.


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