Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

About Westwind Air Service

Learn about our aircraft, history, and team

Our Mission

Westwind exists to provide unforgettable memories and experiences through aerial tours, unique charters, and our customer first culture.

Tail of Westwind aircraft

Our History

Westwind Air Service is a family owned, Arizona business that has been operating scenic air tours to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley and around the southwest for over 25 years. Westwind is dedicated to providing tours around the Southwest that showcase the natural beauty and unique perspectives available only by airplane.

We partner with other companies that have the same dedication and passion for providing the ground portion of our tours, ensuring the highest quality. What makes a Westwind tour the experience an unforgettable memory of a lifetime is not just the spectacular locations and the quality of equipment, but our customer first culture. No lines, Just Service.

Throughout our lives, we are always standing in lines waiting. Waiting for help, waiting for food, waiting for movies, waiting for events, waiting for service. Not at Westwind. We are committed to you, committed to providing the excellent service you deserve while making you feel like family in the process.

The Aircraft

Westwind Air Service operates a fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans and Cessna piston aircraft.

Cessna Grand Caravan

Our Grand Caravans are single-engine, turbine-powered aircraft providing greater speed, air-conditioned comfort and are the most advanced ‘quiet technology’ available.  Each Grand Caravan seats nine passengers. Each plane varies in layout and interior. Two of our Grand Caravans are furnished with executive seating for maximum comfort and luxury. The rest of Westwind’s Grand Caravans are furnished with commuter seating for adaptability and experience. Executive seating must be requested and cannot be guaranteed. Every seat has a large window for sightseeing that makes photo taking comfortable and enjoyable. Each plane is also equipped with MP3 narration over individual headsets during tours in various languages.

Cessna Piston

For shorter trips within the state of Arizona, Westwind also operates several Cessna piston aircraft which will comfortably hold from 3-5 passengers.

Interior Photos

Interior photos of our Grand Caravan Execute Aircraft and our Grand Caravan 208 Aircraft Followed by our Cessna Piston Aircraft.

Meet Our Team

Elijah Riggs

Director

As the Director of Operations, Elijah is responsible for the entirety of all Westwind operations. As an experienced pilot, and long time Arizona tour partner, Elijah understands in depth the Arizona touring industry, aviation part 135, and driving a large team to success.

Nicholas Beaird

General Manager

Also as the HR Manager, Nick is responsible for all people operations, policy and systems development, and Westwind’s culture. Nick brings an exciting, people first atmosphere while focusing on team member growth in all areas to align day to day activities with Westwind’s mission and vision.

DaNene Pace

Grand Canyon Manager

As the Manager of Westwind’s Grand Canyon base, DaNene is responsible for the all of the day to day operations such as tours, the gift shop, and all Grand Canyon team members. DaNene and her team passionately oversee all tour activities and guests to ensure they are experiencing the tour of life time right at the Grand Canyon’s front door.

Bruce Grubbs

Chief Pilot

As the Chief Pilot, Bruce is responsible for the hands on management and training of all Westwind pilots. From pilot growth and safety to heading up Westwind’s pilot hiring process, Bruce ensures all things pilot related are safe, successful, and smooth.