Search and Buy Seaplane Flights
Discover our guide to seaplanes — what are seaplanes, what are they used for, and how do you book seaplane flights?
Search and Buy Seaplane Flights
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1 Adult, Economy/Coach
What is a Seaplane?
A seaplane is a type of aircraft that can land and take off on water as well as float on water - this can be either the sea or a lake. The seaplane was first built in 1911 for the First World War. Seaplanes are usually divided into two categories, which is based on their technological characteristics: floatplanes and flying boats. Flying boats tend to be larger and carry more passengers/cargo. A floatplane is similar, but is usually smaller and it's belly is used as a pontoon or floats.
Many civilian flight operators have a floatplane variant for commercial flights, as well as private charter operators, as the aircraft provide an easier transportation option to scenic tourist lakes and other remote areas. Seaplane operators can be found in areas with a large number of lakes convenient for takeoff and landing, such as the Alaskan and Canadian wilderness in North America, and Scotland in the U.k Examples of Seaplane airline companies include Alaska Seaplanes and Harbour Air Seaplanes.
How Do Seaplanes Work?
Seaplanes float, take-off and land on water through a wide range of structural components. These help them to remain buoyant, stable on water and reduce drag when landing on the water surface. They are also built in a way to prevent flipping or tipping over in the water.
Search and Book Seaplane Flights
Alternative Airlines is an online flight search and booking website, which makes it easy to book flights on over 600 global airlines, including airlines operating seaplane flights. Simply type in your chosen departure and arrival destinations into the search bar at the top of the page to begin your search.
Seaplane Destinations
Some popular destinations that seaplanes fly to include:
Angoon, Comox Harbour, Downtown Vancouver, Downtown Victoria, Egmont, Elfin-Cove, Excursion Inlet, Ganges Harbour, Gustavus, Haines, Hoonah, Juneau, Kake, Klawock, Madeira Park, Maple Bay, Nanaimo Harbour, Pelican, Pitt Meadows, Sechelt, Seattle, Sitka, Skagway, South Vancouver, Tenakee Springs, Tofino Harbour, Whistler, Whitehorse
Which Airlines Operate Seaplane Flights?
Find out more about some of the most popular seaplane operators around the world.
A full list of all seaplane operators can also be found below.
Asia
India
SpiceJet
SpiceJet is the largest regional airline operating in India. In 2020, the airline received approval to begin operating 18 seaplane routes. The seaplanes are set to improve regional connectivity. The short flights will be operated through the airline's subsidiary, Spice Shuttle using Twin Otter 300 seaplanes.
North America
Canada
Harbour Air Seaplanes
Offering seaplane flights in and around Canada, this chartered flight tour service is based in Richmond. Key destinations include Vancouver, Comox and the Gulf Islands.
North Star Air
This chartered airline, founded in 1997, offers seaplane flights from Pickle Lake.
Alaska
Alaska Seaplanes
This airline offers both commuter flights and seaplane flights to the region of Southeast Alaska. They fly to many destinations including Skagway, Tenakee Springs and Kake from its base in Juneau.
Washington
Kenmore Air
This airline offers seaplane flights, among other land plane services, from its base in Kenmore, Washington, USA.
South America
Puerto Rico
Seaborne Airlines
Seaborne offers seaplane flights to destinations in the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Kitts Nevis, Dominican Republic and St Maarten.
Europe
Greece
Athens Spirit Airlines
A proposed start-up airline, Athens Spirit is a Greek Airline which is expected to offer charter passenger and passenger flights. In the future, they also hope to operate seaplane and helicopter flights.
Scotland
Loch Lomond Seaplanes
This seaplane tour operator offers flights around the Loch Lomond area. This airline is featured as something to do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in our blog about the best National Parks in the UK.
Seaplane Airlines in Oceania
Seaplane Airlines in North America
Air Tindi
Canada
Alkan Air
Canada
Conair Group
Canada
Harbour Air Seaplanes
Canada
Kenn Borek Air
Canada
Nakina Air Service
Canada
North-Wright Airways
Canada
Northwestern Air
Canada
Pacific Seaplanes
Canada
Salt Spring Air
Canada
Sea To Sky Air
Canada
Seair Seaplanes
Canada
Summit Air
Canada
Superior Airways
Canada
Tofino Air
Canada
Transwest Air
Canada
Vancouver Island Air
Canada
Wilderness Seaplanes
Canada
Rambler Air
United States
Alaska Seaplanes
United States
Kenmore Air
United States
Seaborne Airlines
United States
Tailwind Air Service
United States
Taquan Air
United States
Tropic Ocean Air
United States
Tropic Ocean Airways
United States
Northwest Seaplane
United States
Seaplane Airlines in Europe
Fly Lapland Oy
Finland
Hellenic Seaplanes
Greece
Isla Air Express
Spain
Loch Lomond Seaplanes
United Kingdom
Seawings Venice
Italy
Scandinavian Skies AS
Norway
Seaplane Airlines in Asia & Middle East
Pacific Island Air
Fiji
Waterfront Air
Hong Kong
SpiceShuttle
India
Jal Hans
India
Kerala Seaplane
India
Maldivian
Maldives
Trans Maldivian Airways
Maldives
Air Juan
Philippines
Subic Seaplane
Philippines
Millennium Airlines
Sri Lanka
Seawings
United Arab Emirates
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Seaplane Flights FAQs
Are seaplanes safe?
Yes, seaplanes are as safe if not safer than any other aircraft used for commercial use. Seaplanes go under regular maintenance to the highest of standards. Additionally, seaplane pilots require more advanced piloting skills than regular pilots do in order to qualify for flying.
Can seaplanes land on land?
Some seaplanes are only able to take off on land and land on water - especially 'floatplanes', which are particularly adapted to exclusively land on water. While others have additional landing gear built into the aircraft which makes it possible land on land. There are also a number of seaplanes that can take off and land both on land and water. Airlines that operate scheduled passenger flights might have planes that can both land on land in water, as this is more suitable for commercial flights.
Can seaplanes land on any body of water?
Seaplanes have the ability to land on any body of water. If you were to be flying privately, whether you're legally allowed to land on a specific body of water will depend on the rules of the territory you're landing in, and whether the land is privately owned. Most operators will fly to lates, as large waves and unpredictable weather can be a problem, making it harder to land on the sea.