Description
Go deeper into Montana's wild heart on a private two-hour scenic flight with a family-owned Montana flight service flying since 2004 with more than 30,000 combined hours of experience and home base in Kalispell. These are the same bush pilots who serve Montana's remote backcountry airstrips, and on this longer flight they take you far beyond the roads and into country most travelers never see.
Departing Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, the flight opens over shimmering Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, before pressing into the backcountry. With twice the flight time of the one-hour tour, your pilot can range much farther, tracing the 1.5-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, one of the largest wild areas in the lower 48, along with the glaciated peaks of the Mission Mountains and the rugged Cabinet Mountains. These are landscapes reachable only on foot, on horseback, or from the air.
Please note that Glacier National Park is protected airspace, so scenic flights do not fly within the park itself. Even so, on clear days you will enjoy spectacular views into the park and across the surrounding mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers. Because the longer flight opens up so many more options, your pilot is happy to work in specific landmarks or areas you would especially like to see whenever conditions allow. Exact routing varies with weather, visibility, airspace, and safety, but every flight is built around showcasing the very best of northwest Montana's mountains, lakes, and wilderness.
Every flight is a private charter for your group. One flat price covers the whole aircraft for up to two or three passengers (final capacity depends on combined passenger weight, 550 lbs max), so it is just you, your party, and your pilot. With the extra time in the air, it is the choice for photographers, special occasions, and anyone who wants to take in the full sweep of northwest Montana in a single trip.
What to Expect
Plan to arrive at Glacier Park International Airport, Gate 7, about 15 minutes before departure to allow time for parking, check-in, and a short safety briefing with your pilot. Because combined passenger weight affects the aircraft, we ask for passenger weights when you book. Your exact route depends on conditions, and your pilot always makes the final call with safety first. Bring a camera or smartphone, sunglasses, and comfortable clothing for the day's weather, then settle in for about two hours of extraordinary Montana scenery.
Flights are weather-dependent and run on clear days. If weather requires a delay or reschedule, we will contact you as soon as possible; you can reschedule or receive a refund. Summer and early fall usually offer the sharpest mountain views and the best light for photos.
Prefer a Shorter Flight?
Short on time? The 1-hour Glacier Country Scenic Flight circles the Flathead Valley and Flathead Lake with views toward Glacier National Park in about half the time.
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can fly on the scenic flight?
Each flight is a private charter for one flat price. The aircraft seats up to two or three passengers depending on combined passenger weight (max of 550 lbs), so we ask for passenger weights at booking to confirm your group's capacity.
Where do flights depart from?
Flights depart from Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, via Gate 7 at 4400 US Highway 2 East. Coming from Whitefish or Columbia Falls, Gate 7 is the turn immediately before the main airport-terminal traffic light; coming from Kalispell, pass the terminal light and take the next left into Gate 7.
Do we fly over Glacier National Park?
No. Glacier National Park is protected airspace, so scenic flights do not operate within the park itself. You will still enjoy spectacular views into the park on clear days, along with the surrounding mountains, wilderness, valleys, lakes, and rivers.
What will we see?
Beyond Flathead Lake, the 2-hour flight reaches into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (more than 1.5 million acres), the Mission Mountains, and the glaciated Cabinet Mountains, with views into Glacier National Park on clear days. These are wild areas reachable only on foot, on horseback, or from the air. Your exact route varies with weather, visibility, airspace, and your pilot's routing.
Can the route be customized?
Yes, whenever conditions allow. The longer flight opens up many more options across the Flathead Valley, Flathead Lake, and Montana's wilderness areas, and your pilot is happy to work in specific landmarks or areas you would especially like to see.
How much does the flight cost?
The 2-hour Glacier Country Scenic Flight is $899 for the entire aircraft (up to two or three passengers), not per person.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. Scenic flights are weather-dependent, and if conditions are not suitable for flying we will contact you as soon as possible to reschedule or find the best available option.
When is the best time of day to fly?
Morning and evening flights often bring calmer air and softer light for photography, while midday offers bright, wide-open views. Your pilot can advise based on the day's conditions.
Is it safe, and who is flying the plane?
Your flight is operated by a family-owned Montana company flying since 2004 with more than 30,000 combined hours of experience, including regular flights into Montana's remote backcountry airstrips.
Can children fly?
Yes, children are welcome. Because seating depends on combined passenger weight, please include all passenger ages and weights when you book.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring a camera or smartphone, sunglasses, and comfortable clothing for the day's weather. Dress in layers for a small-aircraft cabin, where temperatures can vary.
How is this different from the 1-hour flight?
The 2-hour flight travels deeper into Montana's wilderness, adding the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Mission and Cabinet Mountains with more time over Flathead Lake. If you mainly want Flathead Lake and the nearby peaks, the shorter 1-hour Glacier Country Scenic Flight is a great option.
Can we bring a group larger than three?
Larger groups can be accommodated by booking more than one flight. Contact us and we will help coordinate multiple aircraft or departure times.