How many people can be on each flight? Seaplane: There can be a maximum of six people on board or a minimum of three. Each passenger has a window seat. Helicopter: There can be a maximum of five people and a minimum of four.

The seating capacity of a seaplane depends entirely on the model, but for most commercial "flightseeing" or "commuter" trips, they typically carry between 4 and 19 passengers. The workhorse of the seaplane world, the DHC-6 Twin Otter (often used in the Maldives or British Columbia), can accommodate up to 19 people in a standard configuration. Smaller "bush planes" like the Cessna 206 or the de Havilland Beaver—which are common in Alaska—usually seat 4 to 6 passengers plus the pilot. In the 2026 travel market, luxury "private charter" seaplanes are becoming more popular, often reducing passenger count to 8 or 10 to provide more legroom and high-end interiors. Because seaplanes are weight-sensitive, the "actual" number of passengers allowed can fluctuate based on the weight of the fuel, luggage, and even the air temperature (which affects lift). Before boarding, passengers are almost always asked for their weight to ensure the pilot can balance the aircraft’s center of gravity for a safe water takeoff and landing.