Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 49 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required worth booking?
Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required is a 0.8-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $285 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 49 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (49)
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- From
- $285 per person
Learn how to fly a plane in New Orleans on an exhilarating 50-minute flying lesson that includes sights of the mighty Mississippi River, the historical French Quarter and Mercedes-Benz Superdome! The must-do experience i
What you get
About this experience
Learn how to fly a plane in New Orleans on an exhilarating 50-minute flying lesson that includes sights of the mighty Mississippi River, the historical French Quarter and Mercedes-Benz Superdome! The must-do experience includes 20 minutes of pre-flight ground instruction, followed by 30 minutes in the air under the watchful eye of the pilot — an instructor certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Help control the plane during takeoff and landing, and enjoy your airborne time to take control and maneuver the plane through the skies! No license or prior experience is necessary.
What's included
Included
- Live commentary
- Professional commercial pilot certified by the FAA with 20,000 hours of combined experience
- You must call supplier 12 hrs in advance to confirm time & observer (add'l fee req., max. 2 allowed)
- 20 minutes of ground instruction
- 30 minutes of dual flight time
- First Flight Certificate
Not included
- Instructor Gratuity
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Observer
What you'll see and do
French Quarter
You will get to see the highlights of the French Quarter as you fly over it during your airplane lesson.
Pass by without stopping
Caesars Superdome
You will get a great view of both the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and neighboring Smoothie King Center as you fly over New Orleans.
Pass by without stopping
Mississippi River
You will have the chance to follow the Mississippi for a little bit as it winds through New Orleans.
Pass by without stopping
New Orleans Aerial Tours & Flight Training
This is your starting and ending point for your tours, located at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New Orleans
We will depart from 6575 Stars & Stripes Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126. Our offices are located between Gates 6 & 7 on Stars & Stripes Blvd. Drive past the terminal towards the marina. Enter through Gate 6.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We will depart from 6575 Stars & Stripes Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126. Our offices are located between Gates 6 & 7 on Stars & Stripes Blvd. Drive past the terminal towards the marina. Enter through Gate 6.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 1 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- New Orleans Aerial Tours & Flight Training
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note: you must call supplier 12 hours in advance of travel date to confirm a flight time and observer attendance (additional observer fee to be paid, maximum of 2 observers allowed), observers are not guaranteed unless they have been confirmed prior to date of travel.
- Minimum age is 10 years to enjoy a lesson, minimum age is 5 years to be an observer.
- A minimum of 1 person per booking is allowed per lesson. An additional passenger may be added as an observer for an additional fee (must contact supplier).
- A maximum of 3 people per booking (includes observers).
- Dress code is weather dependent; there is no air conditioning in the summer months.
- Food and drinks are not allowed on the aircraft.
- There are no restrooms on board.
- No large bags are allowed on the aircraft, only small purses and bags.
- This lesson is not recommended for those who are prone to motion sickness, please take the necessary precautions as refunds will not be provided in matters regarding these situations. Pregnant women are recommended to speak with their physician before flying.
- All passenger weights MUST be advised at time of booking, the combined weight must not exceed 450 lbs and no individual can exceed 300 lbs.
- You will be required to sign a safety waiver before take-off.
- Flight time is defined as the time from engine start to engine shutdown. This includes the time it takes to get from the ramp to the runway and back, before and after takeoff and landing.
- You will be required to provide photo ID at time of arrival.
- In the event of a unique weather situation, we will reschedule at no charge to you to another date and time within two weeks of the original booking, so please have an alternate date and time in mind. Refunds are not available if a flight must be rescheduled due to weather conditions.
- Fuel surcharges may apply.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 49 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
49 verified traveler reviews for Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A Great Experience in New Orleans
My mom bought this experience for me as a surprise. I have always wanted to fly a plane. This was beyond our expectations. My flight instructor Jacob is very knowledgeable and passionate about flying. He was a lot of fun and made sure we had a great experience. The young lady at the front was super sweet and made the check in process quick and easy. We would definitely do this again. Thank you Jacob!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We are super pleased to hear that you enjoyed your surprise flight!!! We can't wait to fly with you again soon!
via Viator
Happy husband
My husband always wanted to feel what it’s like to fly an airplane. He loves flying. The people who work here are the nicest people and very professional. His pilot Ashley was great. She took her time explaining everything and made sure all our questions were answered. Only my husband flew, I stayed back and took pictures of the takeoff off and landing and many others. She let him do a lot of flying and my husband couldn’t have been any happier. Now he wants to go again. The lady that worked at the front desk also could not have been anymore kind. She kept me informed about where the plane was and when it would be landing so I could be out there to get all the great pictures. Highly recommended this to anyone that’s thinking about it.
via Tripadvisor
First flight.
If you want to take control, here is your chance! Fly around and listen to air traffic control, keep you away from other air traffic! Watch out!!
Response from the operator: Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review! It sounds like you enjoyed your Discovery Flight Lesson over New Orleans! We hope to soar with you again soon!
via Viator
A lemur flying over New Orleans
After I booked a spur of the moment trip to New Orleans I was looking for something different to do. Being a lapsed student pilot this caught my eye. I hadn’t flown in 13 years and everything was made easy peasy from booking and answering basic questions ( type of plane and type of tour / flying ) everyone was super friendly and helpful. My instructor was very helpful and awesome. He handled all the radio calls and pointed out some nice sites and helped out when I needed some help landing. I was able to add more time to my log book which made my day. I recommend them if you want something fun unique and different. Next time I am down there I will definitely fly again.
Response from the operator: Thank you Louise for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. We put in a lot of effort to ensure that everyone has a memorable time and we hope to welcome you back soon for another flight lesson.
via Tripadvisor
First time flying and can’t wait to go back!
Ryan was my instructor and was fantastic! We went over the instruments and then went flying. Not only was the view spectacular, I was able to take some photos. We started with the basics, and then performed a series of maneuvers that was awesome. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in flying or wished they could have.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 17
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.
How much does Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required cost?
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Prices start at $285 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New Orleans usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required take?
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Plan for about 0.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New Orleans is not rushed.
Is Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 49 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in New Orleans, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required?
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Around 17 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New Orleans can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New Orleans and add a light layer if any part of the 0.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New Orleans within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New Orleans?
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New Orleans runs on licensed guides, and it shows: the city requires certification for tour guides, so the floor is higher here than most US cities. Ghost and cemetery walks, French Quarter food crawls, plantation history day trips and swamp boat runs make up the bulk. We rank on whether the operator handles cemetery access properly, since St. Louis No. 1 needs an authorised guide. On Outty we rank every New Orleans experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation, New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure, New Orleans Self-Transport Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
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February to May and October to November. August is heat and storm season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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