Fly a Plane in New Orleans: No Experience or License Required

New Orleans looks different from the cockpit. After a short ground lesson, you take the controls of a small plane and fly above the Mississippi, the French Quarter and the wetlands around the city, with a professional pilot beside you. It’s a chance to do more than look out a window: you really get to fly.

I like two things in particular: you get actual hands-on instruction, not just a sightseeing circuit, and the views connect the city’s compact center with the broad river and surrounding bayou system. The first flight certificate is a nice keepsake, too.

One thing to weigh: the advertised 50 minutes includes time on the ground between engine start and shutdown, so it isn’t 50 minutes in the air. The small aircraft also has practical limits, and you must call at least 12 hours ahead to confirm your flight time and any observer.

• Take the controls: The experience includes 20 minutes of ground instruction and 30 minutes of dual flight time.
• See the city from above: The route may include the French Quarter, the Superdome, the Smoothie King Center, the Mississippi and nearby wetlands.
• Fly with an instructor: An FAA-certified commercial pilot stays with you and guides you through the flight.
• Bring home a certificate: You receive a first flight certificate, and your first flight can be entered in your official logbook.
• Plan carefully: You must confirm your flight time by phone at least 12 hours before travel. Observers require advance confirmation and an additional fee.
• Know the limits: Lessons are for ages 10 and up. Weight limits apply, and weather can require rescheduling.

A first flight, not just an aerial tour

This experience is best understood as a short introductory flying lesson with a sightseeing bonus. You meet your instructor at New Orleans Aerial Tours and Flight Training at Lakefront Airport, learn the basic controls on the ground, then take your seat beside the pilot for a 30-minute dual flight.

You don’t need a license or previous flying experience. The instructor explains the procedures and remains responsible for safety, while giving you a chance to handle the controls. Past flights have let participants do much of the flying, including takeoff and, in some cases, landing under close guidance. What you’re asked to do can vary, so don’t treat a particular maneuver as guaranteed.

That hands-on element is the point. From a passenger seat on a sightseeing flight, you watch the city pass below. Here, you also listen to instructions, respond to the plane and get a feel for the work of staying on course. One former participant was surprised by how much control they had; another found the basics easier to pick up than expected. If you’re nervous, tell your instructor. A first flight can feel daunting, but instructors have helped anxious beginners settle in and enjoy it.

Ground school at Lakefront Airport

Your visit begins at 6575 Stars and Stripes Boulevard, at Lakefront Airport. Allow time to arrive, show photo identification and complete the required safety waiver before boarding. The activity is private, meaning only your group takes part.

The ground lesson lasts about 20 minutes. You’ll cover the airplane’s basic controls and flight procedures, including the engine-start sequence, taxiing and preparing for takeoff. That short briefing gives you a useful framework for what comes next. Instead of being handed the controls without context, you’ll know what the instructor is asking you to do and why.

The 50-minute duration is split into 20 minutes of ground instruction and 30 minutes of dual flight time. Keep in mind that the flight-time clock runs from engine start to engine shutdown. It includes taxiing from the ramp to the runway and back, along with the takeoff and landing. In other words, the aircraft is not airborne for the full 30 minutes.

You’ll fly in a small plane, with the instructor alongside you. That close setup is what makes the lesson personal, but it also means space is limited. No large bags are allowed; bring only a small purse or bag. Food and drinks aren’t permitted on board, and there is no restroom in the aircraft.

Taking the controls over New Orleans

Once you’re in the cockpit, your instructor guides you through the start and departure. You may hear air traffic control communications as part of the flight environment, and the instructor keeps you clear of other aircraft. The experience is a good fit if you want an active introduction to flying, rather than a quiet ride with a view.

How much you do depends on the instructor, conditions and your comfort level. Some participants have taken the controls for most of the flight, with the pilot handling the taxiing. Others have been guided through takeoff, turns and landing procedures. One birthday passenger even got to try a steep turn. The instructor remains in charge, but you can expect a genuine chance to fly rather than a token moment with your hands on the controls.

You’ll also learn that flying is not simply pointing the plane at a landmark. Keeping the aircraft steady, following the instructor’s directions and paying attention to air traffic are all part of the experience. For anyone curious about flight training, this lesson can help you decide if you’d like to learn more. A participant who had always wanted to fly left eager to continue lessons.

French Quarter, river bend and stadium views

The French Quarter is one of the most striking sights from above. From the cockpit, you can see the old neighborhood fitting into the bend of the Mississippi, a useful view of how the city’s famous center relates to the river beside it. Look for the dense blocks and the curve of the water rather than expecting a close-up view of street-level details.

The route also offers views of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, and the neighboring Smoothie King Center. From the air, these large buildings are easy to pick out. They’re familiar landmarks, but the change in scale is the appeal: the stadiums become part of a much larger picture of the city.

You may follow the Mississippi for a stretch as it winds through New Orleans. The river’s broad curve helps explain the city’s shape in a way that is difficult to grasp from the ground. Beyond the central sights, you can look toward the wetlands and bayou system that surround the city. Those open views make this more than a flight over downtown.

The exact view depends on the route and conditions, so think of these as sights to look for, not a promise that the plane will pass directly over every landmark. The experience begins and ends at Lakefront Airport, and the flight returns to the same meeting point.

How the price adds up

At $284.80 per person, this is a special-occasion activity rather than a budget way to see New Orleans from above. Its value depends on whether you want to take part in flying. If you only want a scenic ride, you may find the price harder to justify. If learning the controls and handling the plane are part of the appeal, the ground lesson and dual flight make the cost more meaningful.

The price includes a professional commercial pilot, live commentary, 20 minutes of ground instruction, 30 minutes of dual flight time and a first flight certificate. The provider’s pilots have a combined 20,000 hours of experience. Instructor gratuity, transportation to the airport and any observer fee are not included. Fuel surcharges may also apply.

An observer may be added for an extra fee, with a maximum of two observers and three people total per booking. But don’t assume there will be room. You need to call at least 12 hours before your travel date to confirm both your flight time and observer attendance. If an aircraft change affects who can ride, the group may need to adjust. A past flight had to switch from a three-seat plane to a two-seat one after a mechanical issue, which meant an observer could not join. It’s a useful reason to confirm arrangements and keep expectations flexible.

Who will enjoy this lesson

This suits curious first-timers, aviation fans and anyone looking for a New Orleans activity that is genuinely participatory. It can also make a memorable birthday or anniversary gift, especially for someone who has talked about flying a plane. You don’t need to be an aspiring pilot, though the experience may spark a serious interest in lessons.

The minimum age for a lesson is 10. Children as young as 5 may ride as observers, subject to confirmation. All passenger weights must be provided when booking. The combined weight of everyone on board cannot exceed 450 pounds, and no individual may weigh more than 300 pounds.

Consider motion sickness before booking. The activity is not recommended for people prone to it, and refunds are not provided for motion-sickness concerns. Pregnant people are advised to speak with a physician before flying. There is no air conditioning in the aircraft during summer, so dress for the weather. If heat, tight space or the thought of a small aircraft sounds uncomfortable, this may not be your best choice.

Weather, timing and the call to make

You should confirm your flight time by phone at least 12 hours before the travel date, even though confirmation is received when you book. If you want an observer, confirm that person at the same time. Observers are not guaranteed without advance confirmation.

Weather can also change the plan. If unusual weather makes flying impossible, the provider will reschedule at no charge for another date and time within two weeks of the original booking. Refunds are not available when a flight must be rescheduled for weather, so have an alternate date in mind. For other cancellations, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time; changes made inside that window are not accepted.

I’d book this if the idea of being the pilot matters as much as the view. You get a practical introduction, a close look at New Orleans from above and a real chance to handle the controls. If you’d rather stay on the ground or want a guaranteed seat for an observer, confirm those details before paying. For a curious beginner with a flexible schedule, this is a memorable way to see the city from a new angle.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts about 50 minutes, including 20 minutes of ground instruction and 30 minutes of dual flight time. Flight time is measured from engine start to engine shutdown, so it includes taxiing before takeoff and after landing.

Do I need flying experience or a license?

No. The lesson is designed for people without prior experience or a pilot’s license. A professional instructor covers basic procedures and accompanies you in the aircraft.

What sights might I see from the plane?

The flight may include views of the French Quarter, the Mississippi River, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Smoothie King Center and wetlands around New Orleans.

Can someone come along as an observer?

An observer may be added for an extra fee. Up to two observers are allowed, with no more than three people per booking, but you must call at least 12 hours ahead to confirm. Observer attendance is not guaranteed unless confirmed.

What are the age and weight limits?

The minimum age for a lesson is 10. Observers must be at least 5. Passenger weights must be provided at booking; the combined weight cannot exceed 450 pounds, and no individual may exceed 300 pounds.

What happens if weather prevents the flight?

In the event of a unique weather situation, the flight will be rescheduled at no charge for another date and time within two weeks of the original booking. A refund is not available when weather requires rescheduling.