About Us

At Wings Airways, we believe the greatest luxury isn’t how much time you have — it’s how meaningful that time feels. Every flight we operate, every guest we welcome, and every glacier we share carries that simple truth: your time in Alaska should feel transformative.

Our story begins on the historic waterfront of downtown Juneau, where aviation has long connected Alaska’s wildest places and most enduring stories. From the earliest bush pilots who charted these skies to the modern-day Otter fleet that continues their legacy, Wings Airways is built on a spirit of adventure, craftsmanship, and connection.

We are more than flightseeing — we’re caretakers of Alaska’s aviation heritage and storytellers of its living landscape. Our guests don’t simply see glaciers; they experience their power, their movement, and the profound silence that defines Alaska’s wild heart.

For more than three decades, Wings has proudly flown from Juneau’s seaplane base, carrying travelers from around the world to witness five of the Juneau Icefield’s magnificent glaciers — and to step back in time at the century-old Taku Glacier Lodge.

This is Alaska as it’s meant to be experienced: authentic, personal, and profoundly moving. This is time well invested.

At the core of Wings Airways beats a fleet of five classic de Havilland Otter seaplanes — Alaska’s most iconic bush aircraft, reimagined for the modern age. Each Otter has a story, a name, and a spirit all its own. They are living links to Alaska’s golden era of flight — rugged, beautiful, and endlessly reliable.

Our Otters are turbine-powered workhorses, meticulously maintained and upgraded to meet the highest standards of safety, comfort, and performance. These aircraft have earned their reputation as the backbone of Alaska’s skies — steady, graceful, and built to thrive where few others can.

Every seat is a window seat. Every flight is powered by a blend of innovation and tradition. From the satisfying rise off Juneau’s harbor to the soft water landing beside a glacier, each moment aboard our aircraft reminds guests why floatplane travel remains one of Alaska’s most unforgettable experiences.

Our pilots — each deeply experienced — carry on a legacy of skill and storytelling passed down through generations of aviators. They are more than pilots; they are stewards of a timeless craft and the landscapes they traverse.

These planes are more than machines. They are part of the soul of Wings Airways — carrying the spirit of Alaska in every takeoff and every return.

Across the river from a living glacier, surrounded by towering spruce and hemlock, stands the Taku Glacier Lodge — a wilderness sanctuary that has welcomed travelers for over a century.

Built in 1923, long before Alaska was a state, the lodge embodies the heart and history of authentic Alaskan hospitality. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it remains one of Alaska’s most beloved and storied destinations — a place where time slows, stories linger, and nature’s rhythm takes over.

The lodge was once home to Mary Joyce, the pioneering Alaskan whose legendary 1,000-mile solo dogsled journey captured national attention in the 1930s and put this remote corner of Alaska on the map. Her courage and warmth live on in every fire crackle, every story told, and every guest welcomed.

Today, Wings Airways proudly carries travelers to this extraordinary place — reachable only by floatplane. Here, guests step into a world that feels untouched by time: salmon grilled over an open alderwood fire, black bears wandering the riverbank, and the vivid blue wall of Hole-In-The-Wall Glacier gleaming across the water.

For more than one hundred years, people have gathered here — to share a meal, to find quiet, and to feel the wonder of Alaska. The Taku Glacier Lodge remains what it has always been: a place where adventure meets grace, and where every visitor becomes part of the story.

Safety isn’t just a protocol at Wings Airways — it’s at the core of everything we do. It’s the foundation beneath every takeoff, every landing, and every decision we make.

Our pilots are among Alaska’s most experienced aviators, each deeply familiar with the unique challenges and beauty of Southeast Alaska’s skies. They fly with precision, patience, and a deep respect for the landscape we call home.

Behind every flight is a team of expert mechanics and operations professionals who maintain our aircraft with the same craftsmanship and attention to detail they were built with.

Because Wings Airways operates a single-aircraft fleet — the turbine-powered de Havilland Otter — our focus is laser sharp. Every part, every procedure, and every inspection is carried out by specialists who know these aircraft inside and out.

Our planes undergo comprehensive maintenance and continuous inspection cycles that meet — and often exceed — FAA standards. We take pride in the trust that comes from decades of safe operations and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

We fly only when it’s safe.  And beyond that, we fly only when it’s spectacular.

The downtown Juneau waterfront has been the heart of Alaskan aviation for more than a century. From the early 1920s, long before modern airports, the Gastineau Channel was the runway that connected Alaska’s capital to the rest of the world.

What began as a fishing ground for the Tlingit people became a hub of gold, industry, and exploration — and eventually, a launch point for flight. The first commercial aircraft landed here in 1923, marking the birth of Southeast Alaska’s aviation era. Pilots like Roy Jones, Shell Simmons, and Bob Ellis transformed the harbor into a living history of courage and connection.

From those pioneering days through the rise of Alaska Coastal Airlines and beyond, Juneau’s waterfront has remained a gathering place for those drawn to the sky.

Today, Wings Airways proudly carries that legacy forward. Our seaplane base at Merchants Wharf sits on the same historic shoreline where the first bush pilots once touched down. Every takeoff continues a story that began a century ago — one of innovation, independence, and the timeless pull of Alaska’s wild frontier.

Here, the hum of floatplane engines blends with the rhythm of the tides — and adventure begins the moment the floats leave the water.

At Wings Airways, we believe caring for Alaska means more than sharing its beauty — it means protecting it for generations to come. Our operations, partnerships, and choices are guided by the belief that sustainable travel isn’t just good practice — it’s our responsibility.

We are proud to be certified through Adventure Green Alaska (AGA), the state’s official sustainable tourism program. This recognition reflects our commitment to minimizing environmental impact, supporting local communities, and honoring Alaska’s cultural and natural heritage.

Our sustainability efforts include:

Because for us, Alaska isn’t just a destination — it’s home.

And we’re dedicated to ensuring that home stays wild, pure, and thriving.

At Wings Airways, we believe our people are the heart of everything we do. We’re more than just a seasonal team—we’re a family, united by a shared passion for creating unforgettable moments in one of the most breathtaking corners of the world. Each day, guests from across the globe trust us to introduce them to the awe-inspiring Juneau Icefield and the historic Taku Glacier Lodge. That’s a big honor—and it takes a special kind of person to deliver on that promise. Our crew is small, energetic, and full of heart. We work hard, support one another, and truly have fun along the way. If you’re ready to represent a brand that celebrates its people, encourages growth, and thrives on connection, we’d love to welcome you aboard.