Location

Where are you located?

Our office is located in downtown McCarthy, Alaska, in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. McCarthy is in the eastern part of southcentral Alaska, about 300 miles from Anchorage and 370 miles from Fairbanks. The McCarthy Airport is about a mile from our office in the direction of Kennecott.

Can I drive to your office?

No, you cannot. Visitor access to McCarthy is either via airplane (we run three flights a day from Chitina, and we also operate charter flights to and from many places around the state) or footbridge, located at the end of the McCarthy Road. Please contact our office to arrange shuttle transportation to and from your flight.

How far is the footbridge from downtown McCarthy?

It’s a pleasant one-mile walk. There are shuttle services that run to and from the footbridge on a regular basis during the day. If you need a pick-up from the footbridge before your flight, please contact our office. We will meet you on the McCarthy side of the bridge (the east side).

How far is McCarthy from Kennecott? 

About five miles.

Do you provide shuttle transportation to/from Kennecott for flights?

We do! Please let our office know if you need a shuttle from Kennecott, and meet in front of the St. Elias Alpine Guides Office a half hour before your flight time. If you are an arriving or departing guest at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge, they provide their own shuttle transportation when you first arrive and at the end of your stay.

Booking

I’m ready to book! Now what?

You can fill out a booking request form through our website here. Our website does not show live availability. One of our office staff will check our flight availability, and either confirm your request or reach out with alternative flight times. Feel free to call or email with questions.

Are flight prices round-trip or one way?

Rates are one-way, unless otherwise indicated on our rate sheet. When requesting a flight, you can add another leg by clicking “+Add to Booking” in the top left of the cart.

How do I pay for my flight?

We do require full payment at the time of the reservation. After processing your reservation request, we will send you a secure link for payment over email. You can also pay over the phone.

General Flight Information

Can I bring bear spray?

In most cases, yes, but it is never allowed inside the airplane. Make sure to separate it from you baggage and hand it to your pilot prior to boarding so they can place it separate from the passengers and cargo.

Is it cold on the plane?

Generally, no. All planes have in-cabin heat. If you get chilly, feel free to tell the pilot. We recommend bringing a light jacket or sweater.

Can I bring my wheelchair?

Please reach out to our office staff at info@wrangellmountainair.com or 907-554-4411 with the weight and dimensions, the date you’re hoping to fly and the type of flight. We’ll do our best to accommodate your wheelchair, but our planes are small. Fees may apply.

Is there a weight limit for your flights?

Parties with an average body weight of 250 lbs. or more must purchase an additional seat.

Should I tip my pilot? How much?

That’s up to you! Generally customers tip between 10-20% of the flight cost.

Does everyone have a window seat? How many people are on the flight with me?

Typically, yes, everyone has a window seat. For Chitina trips and flightsees, we generally fly our 5- or 3-passenger aircraft. On occasion, we fly our Beaver to Chitina, which can hold up to 7 passengers. Charter and backcountry flights are usually private to your party.

Can I request to sit up front with the pilot?

Sure, you’re welcome to make that request. Just put it in the notes of your reservation request, email us, or let the pilot know as you meet him or her. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request, but ultimately, the decision lies with the pilot who may have to have certain people sit in certain seats based on body weights to maintain weight and balance requirements for the airplane.

What kind of planes do you fly?

We have 7 planes in our fleet: three Cessna 206s, one Cessna 172, one Cessna 185 (backcountry), one DeHavilland Beaver (backcountry), and one Piper Super Cub (backcountry – Operated by our sister company – McCarthy Air).

Does my child need their own seat?

Per FAA regulations, all children 2 and older need their own seat.

Cancellations

What if I have to cancel my flight?

Cancellations received up until 24 hours prior to a flight result in a 10% cancellation fee of total flight cost. No refunds will be issued for a cancellation made within 24 hours of the flight.

What if Wrangell Mountain Air has to cancel my flight due to weather?

You will receive a full refund (including a refund of your prepaid booking fee). See specific flight sections for details on each type of flight.

Can I move my flight to a different date?

Yes, you can, as long as we have the availability.

Chitina Flights and Day Trips

How do I get to the Chitina Airport?

The Chitina Airport is located at Mile 28.5 on the Edgerton Hwy (Hwy 10), approximately 20 miles past Kenny Lake and 5 miles before the town of Chitina. If you find yourself in the town of Chitina you have gone a bit too far. Look for signs for the Chitina Airport and Chitina Health Clinic and turn left on the access road. Follow the access road down onto the airport ramp where you will see a sign for Wrangell Mountain Air Parking.

Is there parking available?

We have about 15 reserved parking spots immediately to the right as you turn into the ramp (parking is side by side, north of the blue conex). If these parking spots are full, drive uphill about 100m to the upper lot. 

What is the luggage limit?

We allow 25 lbs total per passenger. Multiple articles are fine, but each bag should be soft sided to allow it to fit in the aircraft with the other bags. Additional luggage requires purchasing an extra seat.

When do I have to check in for my Chitina flight?

Please be at the airport 15-20 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Our pilot will meet you at the only ramp area of the Chitina Airport. This airport is rarely used by anyone other than Wrangell Mountain Air. Don’t be concerned if you arrive early and the place looks deserted. 

What if the weather is poor the day of my flight?

If your scheduled departure time is delayed due to inclement weather, our office will attempt to contact you to let you know what to expect. If, at your scheduled time of departure, you do not see your pilot and have not heard from our office, you should contact us at 1-800-478-1160. If we are unable to fly you in or out of McCarthy, we will give you the option to take a van shuttle.

What should I bring for a Glacier Adventure Day Trip? 

Rain gear (both jacket and pants if possible); a warm sweater and/or jacket; good pants for hiking; a warm hat and light gloves; a sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen; hiking boots (best) or sturdy walking shoes (fine); a water bottle (just one); a camera, and a backpack to carry it all! The local guide service will provide crampons to walk on the glacier. We will provide a boxed lunch for your glacier adventure. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Are there age limits for your day trips?

No, there are not. All ages are welcome, but please keep physical limitations in mind. The glacier hike requires the ability to walk on lightly rolling terrain with some uneven surfaces for 5 miles. The mill tour is a two-hour-long tour that involves walking a mile, including a hiking trail up a steep hill with 150 ft of elevation gain. Once in the buildings, you will navigate areas that have low headroom and uneven floors. You will also descend multiple sets of stairs and ladders that are steep and uneven – all stairs and ladders have handrails. If you are traveling with small children, please make sure that they can walk up and down steep stairs on their own or that you have a hands-free carrier for them. The guides are happy to assist as needed.

Backcountry Flights

When do I check in for my backcountry flight?

Unless you’ve arranged to meet at our office the night before your flight, please check in for your backcountry flight an hour ahead of time to ensure adequate time to fill out paperwork and shuttle to the airstrip. If you need a pick-up at the footbridge or in Kennecott, please let our office know at least 24 hours in advance.

Can I fly with fuel?

Yes, you can, but there are restrictions. Fuel must be declared to the pilot prior to the flight. Please note that if you are traveling with Isobutane canisters, DOT regulations only allow us to fly with MSR, Snow Peak and Primus fuel canisters. We have a small selection of MSR Isobutane canisters for sale, but otherwise, there are no outfitters in McCarthy selling fuel or camping supplies. 

Can I fly with a firearm?

Yes, they must be unloaded ahead of time and need to be declared to the pilot prior to boarding.

Do you rent bear canisters?

We do not, but the National Park Service does at their visitor centers in Copper Center and Kennecott. BRFC’s (Bear resistant food containers) are required for all food and beverages, garbage, harvested fish and equipment used to cook or store food. 

What is the luggage limit?

Typically, 60 lbs per person.

What if the weather is poor the day of my flight?

The weather in Alaska is famously unpredictable, so you could be delayed due to weather factors. It’s smart to add a buffer of a day or so on either side of your backcountry flight. If you are delayed, take it as a bonus day in a fascinating part of the world you may not see again. If you plan for that upfront, you won’t be disappointed. We require that backcountry clients have enough food and equipment to be safe and comfortable for at least three days beyond the scheduled pick-up time. 

Flightsees

Where do your flightseeing tours depart from and what are the departure times for your flightseeing tours?

We book flightsees based on availability each day. Please contact our office for more information. All of our flightsees depart from the McCarthy Airport.

What is the best time of day for a flightsee?

Anytime! We have long days in the summer, so there isn’t a huge difference in flight times. Our weather is unpredictable and doesn’t follow a specific pattern day-to-day.

Can windows be opened or doors removed for photography?

We cannot remove doors for a flight, but there are accommodations that can be made ahead of time to open a window during flight for photos. Let us know during the booking process if you need this, and discuss it with your pilot at the time of your flight.

Can I request a sunset flight for photography?

Summertime in Alaska does not offer great sunset views until quite late at night or late in the season. (late August or early September trip). However, the “golden hour” in Alaska summertime lasts for hours prior to sunset. Make a special request with our office at the time of your booking for our 6:30 flightsee for your best chance at skies with magic lighting.

I’m a solo traveler. How do I book a flightsee?

We have a two person minimum on flightsees. You can either book two seats, and we’ll refund you the cost of the 2nd seat if someone else books, or you can contact our office to see if there is an existing flight we can add you to.

What should I bring with me?

Please bring a light jacket, long pants and closed-toe shoes. Please do not bring large backpacks on your flightsee. You will only need water and your camera (we have a luggage storage area available for our customers at the McCarthy Airport).

What if the weather is poor the day of my flight?

Thankfully, our portion of Alaska experiences more than its fair share of beautiful flying days! However, if your planned flight route is experiencing poor visibility on the day of your visit, our pilots will create a custom flightseeing route highlighting other areas of the park where the visibility is better; if this is not possible due to weather, we’ll try to re-book you for another time or date that works for you; sometimes we can offer a shorter flightsee that works. If none of these options prove doable, you’ll receive a full refund.

Will I see wildlife on my flightseeing tour?

It’s possible but not guaranteed. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, from grizzly bears to moose to dall sheep to trumpeter swans. Regardless, you’ll see enough glaciers and mountains to last a lifetime.

Can I combine a flightseeing tour with my Chitina flight?

You are welcome to book both Chitina flights and a flightseeing tour, but unfortunately, we cannot combine the two. All of our flightsees depart from and land in McCarthy.

Miscellaneous

What is your operating season? 

May 15-September 15. Backcountry flight season is typically early June to Sept. 13, but it depends on the specific location and the yearly snow conditions.

Do you land on glaciers? 

We do not. We don’t have skis on our planes. For glacier landings or mountaineering trips, please contact Ultima Thule Outfitters.

Do you allow dogs on your flights?

We do not allow pets on scheduled flights between Chitina and McCarthy or flightseeing tours. Please contact our office to make arrangements for service animals, fees may apply. For an additional fee we allow pets on charter and backcountry flights, please contact our office for more information.

Do you offer luggage storage?

We do! Depending on your schedule, we can either store it in lockers at the airport, or in our office in downtown McCarthy. Please contact our office for details.