Takeaway

When comparing Papillon and Maverick for the equivalent champagne picnic tour departing from the Las Vegas Strip, Maverick is the better value when Papillon has a fuel surcharge in place (Papillon does not always have a fuel surcharge) and Maverick is the better value for prime time flights as they do not charge a higher price for popular flight times.  You can save up to an additional $90 per person with Papillon by flying from Boulder City which will add commute time and remove the flight over the Las Vegas Strip. There are slight variations in details like transportation and food, but overall these tours are very similar and popular for their balance of time in helicopter and Grand Canyon.

Takeaway

When comparing helicopter tours that start in Las Vegas and go to Grand Canyon West where you have time to explore viewpoints at rim level Maverick is the better value overall when Papillon has a fuel surcharge in place.  Although Papillon has a lower price, you get 23% less helicopter flight time and about 10% less time at the Grand Canyon compared to Maverick which is why Maverick is a lower price per minute when you strip out non-sightseeing related activity such as commuting to and from the airport.  Papillon offers 3 flight times while Maverick only offers one flight time for this tour.  The Maverick tour departs from the Las Vegas Strip while the Papillon tour departs from Boulder City which adds at least an hour for commuting.  Once inside Grand Canyon West both tours are exactly the same with the same viewpoints and amenities.

Takeaway

VIP Skywalk tours allow customers to skip the line at the Skywalk and include a souvenir photo taken on the Skywalk.  When comparing Maverick and Papillon there are some major differences that may appeal to different clients.  Maverick flies from the Las Vegas Strip to Grand Canyon West where you go directly to the Skywalk.  The Papillon option bundles a landing inside the Canyon for a 20 minute boat ride before flying to the rim to go to the Skywalk.  Papillon departs from Boulder City which involves more commuting time (1 hour) compared to Maverick who depart from the Las Vegas Strip. 

Takeaway

While the price may look very similar when comparing Papillon Skywalk Getaway to the Maverick Indian Territory with Skywalk, there are some major differences between these tours.  Maverick offers the better value overall.  Maverick gives you more flight time (25%) with more overall time and more viewpoints at the Grand Canyon (1 hour 10 minutes more than Papillon) while both tours are around 7 hours total duration.  Papillon has the unique experience of a boat ride inside the Grand Canyon coupled with the VIP skip the line Skywalk experience which are not available on this Maverick Indian Territory tour.   

There are alternative ways to see the Grand Canyon that may also include a helicopter tour or other photo stops that are not available on a helicopter tour.

Takeaway

Papillon and Maverick offer very similar sunset tours and both will offer a similar experience as the timing of these tours will be synchronized with sunset.  Maverick offers the better price when Papillon has a fuel surcharge in place (there is not always a fuel surcharge).  Papillon offers a lower price option for this tour when you fly from Boulder City which has a shorter flight and does not include the flight over the Las Vegas Strip after sundown.