Take off on an experience you won't soon forget with an aerial sightseeing tour in the famous deHavilland Beaver seaplane. The owner, John Justad, is a commercial, instrument-rated pilot with over 6,000 hours of logged flight time and has flown more than 20,000 passengers from all around the world. John operates out of Duluth, MN, spring through fall.
In the air, you’ll enjoy spectacular views and a narrated tour through your own personal aviation headset. A standard tour lasts 25-30 minutes in the air (40-45 minutes total) and costs $75 per adult, $60 for children 12 and under, and children under 2 that are seated on your lap fly FREE*. The plane is also handicap accessible and pet-friendly, although some exceptions do apply.
Aerial sightseeing tours in Duluth feature unbeatable panoramic views of popular Twin Ports landmarks and attractions including the North Shore, Canal Park, Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge, Ore Docks, Ship Facilities, Spirit Mountain, Glensheen Mansion and more.
A standard tour is 25-30 minutes in the air (40-45 minutes total), but can vary depending on the number of passengers.*
A standard tour costs $75 per adult,
$60 for children 12 and under, and children
under 2 that are seated on your lap fly FREE.*
Tours are offered seven days a week from 10 a.m. until sunset, with flights scheduled on the hour taking off from Duluth Sky Harbor Airport at 5000 Minnesota Ave., spring through fall.
This wonderful trip takes in many of the highlights of the standard Duluth/Superior tour plus a great flight up the St. Louis River to the popular Jay Cooke State Park, where you'll see whitewater rapids, the aerial suspension bridge, and huge hydroelectric dam and powerhouse on the river. A stunningly beautiful trip. Flat rate of $495 for up to 7 passengers (subject to weight restrictions).
This trip also includes many of the highlights of the standard Duluth/Superior tour plus a flight up the North Shore over Gooseberry Falls and all of the wonderful scenery up to the famous Split Rock Lighthouse. Flat rate of $850 for up to 7 passengers (subject to weight restrictions).
Custom trips can also be arranged at an additional cost to places such as Grand Marais, the Apostle Islands, Bayfield, WI and more. Call for details!
Although you can’t physically take the Beaver with you, we do offer a variety of Beaver Air Tours gear to commemorate your flight! If you’re interested in purchasing any of the items on this page, please ask John, the pilot, before or after your flight.
A: A standard tour lasts 25-30 minutes in the air (40-45 minutes total), but can vary depending on the number of passengers. There must be at least five paid passengers in order to guarantee a 25-30 minute flight for only $75 per adult and $60 per child.
A: In the event that there are fewer than 5 people in your group, there are a few options available to you:
(1) We can pair you with another group. This is the most common option, as it
allows you to experience the same 25-30 minute flight, without having to pay more.
(2) If the first option is not possible, you can either opt for a shorter flight
time at the same rate or you may pay an additional amount in order to experience the 25 minute flight.
A: The deHavilland Beaver, in the small plane group, is actually one of the bigger, heavier and more stable planes. We fly only on days with smooth air and great visibility, allowing for smooth turns with gradual ascent and descent. The aircraft generally flies at just over 1,000 feet during tours, so any pressure changes in your ears are generally not noticeable. Landings are so smooth that most people are often surprised that we’ve actually gotten back on the water.
A: Yes, almost always. Generally, there is some coin tossing or arm wrestling for the front seat. However, it’s not required. The advantage of the front seat is that you will be able to see more clearly the operation of the aircraft. With that being said, the tour's narration is generally pointed out of the side windows, as the individuals in the middle and back of the aircraft do not have great visibility out of the front of the plane.