Head-to-Head Comparison
TEMSCO vs. Coastal: Juneau Helicopter Landing Comparison
Both TEMSCO and Coastal Helicopters offer scenic flightseeing and gentle glacier landings where you step onto ancient ice in slip-on traction boots. Both also operate summer dog sledding camps on high snowfields. The key differences lie in landing glaciers, departure frequency, and published rates.
Note on Taku Glacier Lodge: The historic Taku Glacier Lodge salmon feast is an iconic Southeast Alaska wilderness dining experience marketed by Wings Airways using classic de Havilland Otter seaplanes departing from downtown Juneau harbor, rather than a helicopter flight. Coastal Helicopters specializes in helicopter icefield landings and glacier dog sledding on Herbert Glacier.
Choose TEMSCO If:
TEMSCO Helicopters
- You specifically want to land on famous Mendenhall Glacier ($409 base).
- You want the lowest starting price for a glacier walk ($409 base vs. $429).
- You want Herbert Glacier dog sledding starting at $659 base.
- You have a tight cruise schedule and need high departure frequency (flights every 30 to 45 min).
- You prefer Alaska's longest-operating commercial helicopter carrier (flying Juneau since 1958).
Choose Coastal If:
Coastal Helicopters
- You want scenic flights over the deep passes leading directly onto Herbert Glacier.
- You want 25 to 30 minutes of ice time on Herbert Glacier ($429 published base).
- You want Herbert Glacier dog sledding ($709 published direct rate; mid-May to mid-August).
- You prefer a locally owned, boutique flight operation with personalized departures.