Standard vs. High-Altitude vs. DC-9 Tandem Skydives at Skydive Perris

Updated

Skydive Perris offers three tandem skydives that differ mainly in exit altitude, freefall time, aircraft, and price: the standard Tandem Skydive from 14,000 feet (from $199), the High Altitude Tandem from 18,000 feet with supplemental oxygen ($399), and the DC-9 Tandem Skydive from the world's only skydiving-rated DC-9 airliner ($999, minimum age 18). All three are tandem jumps with an instructor, so the choice comes down to how much freefall time and what kind of aircraft experience you want.

Quick Comparison

Standard Tandem High Altitude Tandem DC-9 Tandem
Exit altitude 14,000 ft MSL 18,000 ft MSL DC-9 airliner, tail-door exit
Freefall time ~60 seconds ~90 seconds Not specified on site
Freefall speed 120 mph Not specified Decelerates to terminal velocity after exit
Supplemental oxygen Not mentioned Yes, on ascent Not mentioned
Minimum age Not specified Not specified 18
Availability All week Not specified Rare
Price From $199 $399 $999

Standard Tandem Skydive (14,000 ft)

This is the most popular option and the baseline for comparison. You jump from 14,000 feet MSL attached to a tandem instructor, freefall for about 60 seconds at 120 mph, then ride the parachute for 5–10 minutes over Perris Valley.

  • Available: All week
  • Price: From $199
  • Best for: First-time jumpers who want the classic experience at the lowest entry price. The site notes the Early Bird slot beats the heat and gets the best price, so morning slots are worth considering.

High Altitude Tandem (18,000 ft)

This jump adds 4,000 feet of altitude over the standard tandem, which translates into roughly 30 extra seconds of freefall — about 90 seconds total. You use supplemental oxygen on the ascent, which is standard practice at this altitude.

  • Price: $399
  • Best for: Jumpers who have already done a standard tandem (or don't mind paying roughly double) and want more freefall time. The site describes it as a "rare opportunity for tandem students," so availability may be more limited than the standard jump.

DC-9 Tandem Skydive ($999)

This is the most unusual option: you exit by the tail door of the only DC-9 airliner in the world rated for skydiving. After exiting, you decelerate to terminal velocity — a different sensation from jumping out of a smaller jump plane.

  • Price: $999
  • Minimum age: 18
  • Availability: Rare
  • Best for: Experienced jumpers or anyone treating the jump as a bucket-list event and willing to pay a significant premium for the aircraft itself. If the DC-9 is the reason you're booking, confirm dates early since the site lists it as rare.

How to Choose

  • Lowest price, standard experience: Standard Tandem from $199.
  • More freefall time: High Altitude Tandem at $399 buys you roughly 50% more freefall.
  • The aircraft is the point: DC-9 Tandem at $999, age 18+.
  • Not sure yet: The standard tandem is the natural first jump; you can step up to the high-altitude or DC-9 option on a later visit.

One practical note: the site's pricing shows "from" for the standard tandem, so the final cost may vary by time or date. Check availability and current pricing on skydiveperris.com before booking, especially for the DC-9, which the site lists as rare.