Talkeetna [1] is famous as a launching point for flights over Mt. McKinley, and on a clear summer day a constant parade of planes takes off from the airport on the edge of town. The flight services in town offer a bewildering array of possibilities, including short scenic flights, glacier landings, drop-off hiking or fishing, wildlife-viewing, overnight trips, and flights to, around, or over the top of The Mountain.
Rates vary according to the type of airplane, length of the flight, and how many people there are in your group. Most outfits will try to match you up with other folks to maximize your flightseeing dollar.
Be flexible in your plans, since weather is infinitely variable and is always the most important consideration when it comes to flying you safely. A one-hour flight typically costs $250 per person, or $325 with a glacier landing. A flight to the summit of Mt. McKinley (a good chance to see the climbers) is $295.
Reservations are recommended, but not always necessary. Note that the climbing season on Mt. McKinley runs from early spring until mid or late June, and the flight services are busiest then. As always with bush flying, risks are involved, and fatalities have taken the lives of some of the best local pilots and climbers over the years. Your odds (not to mention the vistas) are probably better if you wait until a clear day to fly.
A number of charter companies provide service to Mt. McKinley. The largest operators are K2 Aviation (especially popular with tourists) and Talkeetna Air Taxi (a favorite of climbers). McKinley Flight Tours has limited flightseeing from Talkeetna [1], with a much larger operation out of Healy.
The very knowledgeable staff at the visitors center can set up any of these, or you can contact them directly:
907/733-2321 or 800/478-2321
www.hudsonair.com [2]
K2 Aviation
907/733-2291 or 800/764-2291
www.flyk2.com [3]
McKinley Flight Tours (a.k.a. Talkeetna Aero Services)
907/683-2899 or 888/733-2899
www.mckinleyflighttours.com [4]
Talkeetna Air Taxi
907/733-2218 or 800/533-2219
www.talkeetnaair.com [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/alaska/the-interior/talkeetna
[2] http://www.hudsonair.com
[3] http://www.flyk2.com
[4] http://www.mckinleyflighttours.com
[5] http://www.talkeetnaair.com