Flightseeing FAQ

Flightseeing Frequently Asked Questions

Questions you might have before booking.

If you don’t see the answer you are looking for, feel free to give us a call at: (907) 733-2218

What are your hours of operation?

We are open all year, seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

The summer/shoulder season (through September 30th) office hours are daily from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm every day, Alaska Daylight Time (-8UTC).

The winter season (October – April) office hours daily from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Which flight would you recommend?

We would recommend at least the Mountain Voyager with a Glacier Landing. There are six major glaciers on the south side, and so much to explore. This flight encompasses the south, east & west faces of Denali, winding through the three major peaks: Denali, Foraker, and Hunter and the climber base camp. The total trip time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Grand Denali with Glacier Landing tour goes all the way around Denali so that you can see both the south and north sides of the mountain, as well as the Wickersham wall—one of the highest vertical rises on the planet. The total trip time is 2 hours. If this is going to be a once in a lifetime trip, either the Mountain Voyager with Glacier Landing or the Grand Denali with Glacier Landing are recommended.

Why should we take our Denali flightseeing tour from Talkeetna?

Denali Flights departing from Talkeetna have a distinct advantage over departures from Anchorage or Denali National Park entrance area. Talkeetna is only 58 miles from the summit and within ten minutes of take-off you are over the immense glaciers and infinite peaks of the Alaska Range. Money spent on departures from Anchorage or Denali National Park entrance area is money spent on flying over the flat lands getting to and from the Alaska Range.

Are we going to see the peak of Denali and/or land on a glacier? Will we see all the features mentioned in the brochure/web site?

In Alaska, especially around big mountains, weather and clouds are constantly shifting so no exact experience can ever be guaranteed. Big mountains make their own weather systems. And with two opposing systems on either side of the Alaska Range the “actual” weather can change hourly. The points of interest mentioned in our tour descriptions are highlights of the tour, which we always do our best to show you depending on wind and weather. Our pilots make every tour unique by showing you the best currently available views, lighting and scenery while always keeping safety as the number one priority.

Do I need to make a reservation, or can I just walk in?

We highly recommend making an advance reservation as soon as you know the dates you will be in our area. While we require you to pay the full amount upon reservation, you can book with confidence knowing that you can get a 100% refund of your payment for any reason. The sooner you make a reservation the more likely we will have the tour and time available that suits your travel plans. Denali flights from Talkeetna have become increasingly popular and we can’t always accommodate walk-ins. Also, since you can cancel 24 hours in advance free of charge, there is no risk to you in making a reservation. You can also cancel when you check in for your flight for any weather-related reason and receive a 100% refund.

Will we be the only ones in the airplane? How is seating arranged? Can I sit in the co-pilot seat?

Unless you charter the entire airplane you will be sharing the flight with other guests. We try to seat couples and families side-by-side as much as possible. We cannot guarantee particular seating as it is often dictated by our FAA approved “weight and balance” program. However, visibility from every seat is excellent and everyone gets a window seat. At the time of booking or during the check-in process, we can request the co-pilot seat for you, but the decision is ultimately the pilot’s alone.

How much experience do your pilots have?

Talkeetna Air Taxi has the most experienced glacier pilots that are currently flying the Alaska Range. TAT has landed more people on the glaciers than all the other air services combined.

Our pilots average 12 years of flight experience in Denali National Park. Also, Talkeetna Air Taxi is the only approved glacier landing concessionaire with its own state-of-the-art Flight Simulator. TAT has annual FAA recurrent training and in-depth safety training for specialized glacier operations.

Do we get a refund if it's cloudy?

To fly or not to fly? When you check in for your flightseeing tour, we will give a briefing on visibility and current conditions. It is then your decision whether to fly or not to fly. If we cancel or you decide not to fly due to weather conditions you always receive a 100% refund of any monies paid. We also provide rescheduling options if your travel plans permit.

What time options do we have?

Flight times run approximately — Summer Season: Part I (May 1st to Early June)
8:30 am (first flight of the day)
11:00 am
1:30 pm
4:00 pm (last flight of the day)

Flight times run approximately — Summer Season: Part II (Early June to Sept 15th)
8:30 am (first flight of the day)
11:00 am
1:30 pm
4:00 pm
6:30 pm (last flight of the day)

Flight times run approximately — Fall Season (Sept 16th to Sept 30th)
10:00 am (first flight of the day)
12:30 pm
4:00 pm (last flight of the day)

Flight times run approximately — Winter season (October 1 to April 30th)
One departure daily at (approximately) 12:00 p.m.

Do I really need to arrive for check in 45 minutes prior to my flight's departure?

Yes; you are required to check in 45 minutes prior to flight departure. Talkeetna Air Taxi reserves the right to reschedule your reservation if you have not arrived and fully checked in within 15 minutes of your tour’s departure.

Do you offer any discounts?

We offer discounts for: Alaska residents, groups of 4 or more, military (active and inactive), and seniors 62 and older. Children 11 years of age and under receive a 30% discount, and children 23 months and under are considered a lap child and fly for free.

During the winter season, we are unable to offer discounts.

Does Talkeetna Air Taxi offer other types of flights?

The types of flights TAT offers are:

Helicopter services
Climbing expedition support
Media & Commercial filming projects
Utility Charters (fuel delivery, building supplies…)
Iditarod “Chase the Race” and day trip charters
Back-country rafting & hiking transport
Aerial Photography & Survey

Can you fly us to Kantishna?

If you are staying at one of the lodges in Kantishna, we discourage planning on air travel from Talkeetna to Kantishna. Why? The flights are weather dependent. If the weather is not flyable, it is very difficult to arrange a last minute van transport from Talkeetna to Kantishna.

How can I book a tour?

The best way is to use the ‘BOOK ONLINE’ button our secure web site or call us toll free at 1(800)533-2219 or (907)733-2218. You can also send us an e-mail to clarify any questions you may have: info@talkeetnaair.com.

We are available to discuss your schedule, provide advice and answer any questions you may have – seven days a week – year-round.

Is there an individual weight limit?

Due to the aircraft manufacturer’s seat weight limitations, we cannot accommodate passengers whose individual weight exceeds 375 lbs (170kg).

Do you offer a complimentary pick up/drop off in Talkeetna?

We provide free van service transfers throughout a 5-mile radius from downtown Talkeetna for anyone flying with us!

Questions you might have after booking.

If you don’t see the answer you are looking for, feel free to give us a call at: (907) 733-2218

What should we bring?

Bring long pants, closed toe shoes, sunglasses, cameras with extra batteries and memory cards. It is easy to take well over 100 photos. We do not recommend backpacks/purses on the airplane as space is limited. We are happy to hold them until you return from your tour. Binoculars can be used on the glacier landings but are not recommended during the flight.

What should we wear?

Sunglasses, long pants & closed toe shoes are always recommended. From May to the middle of September wear a light/medium jacket (layers are always a sure thing in Alaska). From mid September to April a heavy jacket, hat, boots and gloves are recommended.

We supply waterproof over-boots which fit over your shoes for glacier landing flights.

Will TAT notify me if my flight is cancelled ?

Due to the dynamic weather changes in the Alaska Range, we cannot notify customers in advance of cancellations.

Do you recommend taking anti-motion sickness medication?

If you are particularly prone to motion sickness, taking a precautionary, non-drowsy, anti-motion sickness medication is a good idea. However, our flights are very smooth and turns are slow and gentle. This is a professional scenic tour, not a thrill ride. Most people do not experience motion sickness and do not need an anti-motion sickness medication. We fly over snow and ice, which do not produce the heat thermals that can cause turbulence. On the rare occasion that turbulence does occur, we will do our best to inform passengers before flying.

How long does it take to drive from/to?

From Driving time
Anchorage 2.5 hours
Wasilla 1.5 hours
Fairbanks 5 hours
Denali Park 3 hours
Seward 5 hours
Girdwood 3 hours 15 m
Valdez 8 hours
Homer 8 hours

What is the Talkeetna Lodge Shuttle schedule?

The Talkeetna Alaska Lodge has a shuttle that runs every 30 minutes. The shuttle departs on the hour from Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and every half hour from Talkeetna. If you use the Lodge shuttle, it drops you off within a five minute walk from our office. We do provide free van service transfers throughout downtown Talkeetna and to and from the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge for anyone flying with us.

What is the McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge shuttle schedule?

Summer Schedule:

Departing Princess to Talkeetna: 7 am to 5 pm, every hour on the hour

Returning to Princess from Talkeetna: 11:30 am to 7:30 pm every hour on the half-hour (with the last shuttle at 9:00 pm instead of 8:30 pm).

We perform more glacier landings than any other company in the world.

Get in Touch

Email: info@talkeetnaair.com

Direct Line: (907) 733-2218

Toll Free: (800) 533-2219

Address:
14212 E Second Street
PO Box 73
Talkeetna AK 99676