Open Cockpit Biplane Sightseeing Ride in San Diego
San Diego, United States of America
Take a thrilling ride over San Diego in a classic 1920s open cockpit biplane. Choose from a variety of itineraries covering the sparkling coastline, downtown San Diego or Coronado. While you — and up to one companion — enjoy unobstructed views from the front cockpit, your expert pilot flies the plane from the rear cockpit. Depending on your preference, your flight may be mellow and scenic or full of stunt turns and rolls. This is an ideal way to celebrate a milestone or just inject a little novelty into your time in San Diego.
Head to Montgomery Field Airport six miles (10 km) north of downtown San Diego to board your open cockpit biplane. Up to two passengers can sit in the front cockpit, while the pilot operates the plane from the rear cockpit. Depending on the route you choose (see Itinerary below for options), see downtown San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Torrey Pines, Mission Bay, Coronado or Rancho Santa Fe. You can choose to fly low and slow to capture amazing photos or get your heart pumping with some aerial thrills.
One of the biplanes was originally built in May of 1927, the same month that Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic, and was used to carry airmail. Another was built in November of 1929, right before the 1930 "St. Valentine's Day Massacre." It was owned by a detective agency in Chicago that used it to transport a gangster-sniffing bloodhound. The third biplane was fully restored and looks like it just came off the showroom floor!
Your biplane ride will last 20 minutes to an hour, according to the itinerary chosen. Conclude your memorable flight at Montgomery Field Airport.
Please note: If you would like a separate plane for each person, please make individual bookings for each party. Any 2 passengers on the same booking will share a plane.
Bonnie was more than accommodating to us. She made sure am our needs were met and it was a true pleasure. George the pilot was informative and genuine. How many chances does one get to fly in a 1927 bi-plane.
Review by: Ginahanson12, September 2017
Absolutely amazing. Very friendly and accommodating staff. Would recommend to anyone
Review by: Linda R, August 2017
Wonderful experience soaring over San Diego and along the coast. Our pilot, John, was awesome. The plane was comfortable and the weather was perfect. Bonnie, the coordinator, was a sweetheart to take some nice photos of us. _br/_ Great way to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary._br/_ We would do this again in a heartbeat!!
Review by: Susan D, June 2017
Fantastic experience - flying the way it should be!
Review by: jasperez2995, June 2017
The biplane tour was incredible! They were all very kind and helpful, and the flight itself was magical. Without a doubt, one of my best experiences. My boyfriend and I did the 40 minute flight and it was the perfect amount of time; our pilot even threw in some fancy flying maneuvers.
Review by: saram93, May 2017
Did this as a gift for my boyfriend on his birthday and he really loved it. Bonnie and John, our pilot, took care of us and made sure we had a great time. A bucket list experience for sure!
Review by: Daniel B, April 2017
El vuelo sobre San Diego esta increíble! Es muy hermoso ver la ciudad desde arriba y volar en este tipo de aviones que son muy antiguos. Gracias por la oportunidad de volar y ver la ciudad al mismo tiempo!
Review by: Daniel B, April 2017
Was the most great experience we had in San Diego. The pilot who drive and the lady there was very kind we us. _br/_ Worst each dollar we paid._br/_ Thank you so much for this great ride.
Review by: Tiffanny T N, January 2017
I surprised my boyfriend w this trip and he absolutely loved it. We arrived late but Bonnie was super kind and accommodating. Our pilot Peter was hilarious and made the entire trip even better. The views were incredible and the open cockpit was an experience like never before. 10/10 would go again!
Review by: Jerome M, January 2017
Just an amazing way to see a city and its surroundings when you have only a few hours
Review by: Peter M, August 2016
Great trip and very interesting learning about the area. Amazing views from the air.
Review by: Les W, August 2016
It was great!
Review by: Dorothy M, August 2016
My grandson and I really enjoyed our bi-plane adventure! He was thrilled it was a surprise! and therefore, so was I! We travel every year together, and I always plan a big surprise for him, This one was his favorite so far, he told me yesterday! Thanks so much for making it happen for the two of us!
Review by: JAMES W, August 2016
Friendly staff excellent experience well worth it
Review by: Ann K, July 2016
Amazing views, got some great pictures and a once in a lifetime story to tell!
Review by: Z-Anita Y, May 2016
The weather was terrible that day. They know the next day I Am flying back . So they make sure I have the tour and make me happy :) amazing experience
Review by: Diana M, March 2016
It was perfect. Bonnie is so helpful on the phone and at the desk. And the flight was too much fun. I'm so glad we did the 40 minute flight, anything less would have been too short.
Review by: Noemie D, November 2015
Great experience highly recommended.
Review by: Cynthia R, November 2015
wonderful experience, beautiful flight and great people. we loved it! thanks so much!
Review by: Louis G, November 2015
Great time, we enjoyed the view from above. The open cockpit just makes it that much better. If your looking for fun or something different to do,this is it! We will do it again
Review by: Jason P, September 2015
Had an amazing time!!! Would definitely do it again!!!
Review by: dean w, September 2015
crazy fun! If you wanna step out of your comfort zone- this is the adventure!!! highly recommend this tour- the staff and pilot were top notch!
Review by: Jorge M, June 2015
Amazing trip! Truly an outstanding experience.
Review by: Jenny T, June 2015
A different way to see the city and totally different from any helicopter tours.
Review by: richard, June 2015
Great Experience that I wanted to share with my wife. Pilot Billy was great and I will be back!
Review by: Beverly S, March 2015
Excellent service by friendly people. Thanks to Peter and Bonnie. You have never seen San Diego until you've seen it in this plane. Go for an hour, it's worth the money.
Review by: Jeff I, March 2015
Seriously best experience ever. Nicest people in the world. Would recommend to anyone! Really a once in a lifetime thing!
Review by: John M, March 2015
The pilot was incredible! The flying was everything I expected, and more. He flew over our house so my wife, who was watching from the ground, could wave. Great trip.
Review by: Brian K, November 2014
Excellent way to view the city - flight was smooth and comfortable and my Pilot - Bill - was very pleasant and informative! Five stars all the way!
Review by: Jonas D, August 2014
Great. Highly recommended!
Review by: Kimberly S, April 2014
This was a very different and unique experience. Seeing San Diego from this distance was awesome, our pilot was informative and funny! We did the 20 minute tour and it was a perfect amount of time!
Review by: Ryan W, March 2014
This was an amazing tour. I would do this tour again, the people were friendly and the pilot was great.
Review by: Blanche G, February 2014
One of our best memories yet! Have lived almost our entire lives here in San Diego, and have never seen the city look so beautiful! The folks at Barnstormer were extremely friendly. Would highly recommend that anyone add this experience to their life's bucket list! :)
Review by: Amy S, February 2014
Everyone was very friendly and informative. We were nervous right up until we met the team. Their confidence alleviated all our fears. We had a blast!
Review by: Ruth D, February 2014
Everyone was really nice had the time of my life, a must
Review by: SDpisces-girl, November 2013
What a fun experience! My husband and I rode together and got lots of great photos and (GoPro) video. The staff was friendly and walked us through everything we needed to know, and the pilot let us know what we were seeing (and when he needed to change altitude, so we didn't freak out). We did the 50-minute ride, which took us out across the UCSD campus and over La Jolla, then all the way down the coast past PB, Mission Bay, Point Loma and Coronado (right over the bridge!). We hit all the San Diego coast highlights... a great experience, highly recommend!
Review by: Joshua K, September 2013
It was exhilarating and totally exciting in every way.
Review by: flyete, August 2013
Just fantastic. To do it. Absolutely.
Review by: flyete, August 2013
Just fantastic. To do it. Absolutely.
Review by: gym, July 2013
6 STARS
Review by: Wendy H, June 2013
My boyfriend and I loved it! Everyone was super nice :)
Review by: Charley E T, May 2013
The ride was awesome and the pilot was super cool! Great time and wonderful views. Will definitely do this again!
Review by: Michele S, January 2013
Wonderful experience! Would do it again. Well worth it. Pilot was excellent.
Review by: julian g p, December 2012
very aexciting,had a great time on doing this for the first time,its beatiful especially seeing san diego from the air.thats why they call it americas finest city.
Review by: Maryam F, November 2012
Great
Review by: Aubree N, November 2012
Really nice staff
Review by: cindy s, September 2012
We are REALLY afraid of heights, but we sucked it up and went anyway and sooo glad we did! It was awesome!!! The only reason why I didn't give it a 5 is because my headset was touch and go and couldn't hear the pilot, but my husbands headset was fine. We are familiar with the area so we knew about where we were, but the history was interesting... when I could hear him._br/_
A definite must go too!
Review by: Philip L, September 2012
The best thing of my month-long holiday in America. If you can, going one at a time allows you to take the wheel, as it were - which is the highlight!
Review by: rheab2428, June 2012
Our biplane ride was fantastic! It was a little dreary but the view of the cost and flying in an open cockpit was such a a surreal experience. Our pilot was wonderful, we had the 40 minute ride and we were able to see so much of the coastline and explore the city. Definitely would advise any plane/flying fans to take this trip!
Review by: William A, December 2011
The flight was exciting with wonderful weather and an excellent view. Recommended for everyone._br/_
1. Your schedule and Barnstormers (the actual flyers) was not the same ... by a day_br/_
2. Your web page directions were out of date as Barnstormers fly from a different airport_br/_
3. The pilot's descriptions of the sights were minimal and given in a bored voice ... lucky we were local and didn't need directions.