K2 Aviation’s pilots have flown more people to Denali than any other air service in Alaska; the average pilot at K2 Aviation has well over 5000 hours of flight time. We also have more than 46 years’ experience flying in Alaska’s backcountry– more than any other air service in Denali National Park.

K2 Aviation has an excellent safety record. We’re owned by the Rust family, who have owned and operated Rust’s Flying Service since 1963. Both companies are highly respected in the aviation industry of Alaska. See more information here: K2 Commitment to Safety

K2 Aviation operates several different types of aircraft, which include the Cessna 185 (4 passengers), the DeHavilland Beaver (6-7 passengers), the DeHavilland Turbine Otter (10 passengers), and the Cherokee Six (5 passengers).

Every seat in the aircraft is located next to a window. Many guests request the co-pilot seat; the pilot places passengers in particular seats to balance the airplane, and it is their decision. If you’re interested, we are glad to let your pilot know your preference.

We cannot see the summit on every flight; viewing opportunities change with the weather. Denali creates its own weather environment, and it can change from flight to flight. K2 Aviation pilots will look for best viewing opportunities, which may mean changing from the routes outlined in our brochure. When the summit cannot easily be seen, K2 pilots may alter the flight route if they feel they can provide a better tour by visiting other parts of the Alaska Range.

We encourage you to make a reservation in advance online or via phone, as soon as you know the dates you will be in our area. The sooner you make a reservation, the more likely we will have the tour and time available that suits your travel plans. The Denali flights from Talkeetna have become increasingly popular, and we can’t always accommodate walk-ins.

Any clients with reservations can cancel 48 hours in advance, free of charge. There is no risk to you in making a reservation. If your flight is cancelled because of weather, your deposit will be refunded. All that is required to secure a reservation is a 50% deposit per person, fully refundable with 48-hour notice or inclement weather. There is a 2 person minimum to fly.

Sometimes wildlife is visible from the airplane, but this is not K2’s main focus on the tour; we are generally flying too high to get a good look at any animals.

We can accommodate most people as long as we know in advance the nature of their disability. Our vans do not have wheelchair lifts.

K2 Aviation is located in Talkeetna, Alaska, near the Talkeetna State Airport. We are about 2 ½ hours north of Anchorage, and about 2 ½ hours south of Denali National Park. The Talkeetna exit is located at mile marker 98 on the Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3).  Find us on the map and get directions.

Rent a car and drive

Contact a shuttle service

The Park Connection at Alaska Tour and Travel

Go Purple Shuttle

Fly from Anchorage via floatplane or wheel plane. Contact us at K2 Aviation

Take the Alaska Railroad

In summer, we are open 7 days a week. This includes holidays such as Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. Our office hours are from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm.

During the winter, we are open seven days a week from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Advance notice is helpful, as winter flights require more preparation time.

We are open year-round. We offer our three main flight tours: the Denali Experience, Denali Flyer and the Denali Grand Tour. We are not able to provide glacier landings in the winter.