Flying to Yellowstone

tatest wrote:
The connection between an air traffic hub and a regional airport is often the most expensive part of air travel because these fares are seldom discounted, so you always pay full fare for the segment. "Regional" does not mean just small airports like Jackson Hole, it now also includes some pretty big places like Tulsa, Billings, Milwaukee, DesMoines, Indianapolis. And what is a hub for one carrier may be a regional for another, Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis being examples.

Look at what is going on at both ends. Most of my family scattered through southern Michigan drives to Detroit for Delta flights, to Chicago for United or American. I can cut my airfare in half to most places in the U.S. (unless Southwest has service) by driving to Dallas to start the trip, rather than flying out of Tulsa. I suspect the best transportation bargain for N Texas to Yellowstone would be a non-refundable advance purchase from Dallas to Salt Lake City, taking a rental from SLC.

I pretty much agree with all you said, but I still recommend OP check all options.

We recently booked tickets to Las Vegas from our local regional airport. We take a puddle jumper to Charlotte, then non stop to LV.
Weird thing is, it was more expensive to fly directly from Charlotte to LV than take the connector flights from the regional airport, then to LV. So we are driving 30 minutes to the regional instead of 3 hours to the hub, and for less money. I don't understand it and can't explain it, but that's the way it is. Point is get on a search engine like Kayak and check ALL options.

The connection between an air traffic hub and a regional airport is often the most expensive part of air travel because these fares are seldom discounted, so you always pay full fare for the segment. "Regional" does not mean just small airports like Jackson Hole, it now also includes some pretty big places like Tulsa, Billings, Milwaukee, DesMoines, Indianapolis. And what is a hub for one carrier may be a regional for another, Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis being examples.

Look at what is going on at both ends. Most of my family scattered through southern Michigan drives to Detroit for Delta flights, to Chicago for United or American. I can cut my airfare in half to most places in the U.S. (unless Southwest has service) by driving to Dallas to start the trip, rather than flying out of Tulsa. I suspect the best transportation bargain for N Texas to Yellowstone would be a non-refundable advance purchase from Dallas to Salt Lake City, taking a rental from SLC.

Here's a link to the airport in West Yellowstone. Two miles from the west gate. Sky West, a sub of Delta has connections from Salt Lake City.

Allegiant flies into Idaho Falls will probably be your 'cheapest' option, but remember they charge for EVERYTHING like good seats, carry on, etc. so if you are taking a lot of 'stuff' the ticket can get pricey in a hurry.

OP here...kids will be leaving from McAllen, TX area, which only is serviced by American & United. SWA leaves from Harlingen but I don't think will be much help. We may have to use a travel agent this time. We'll see ... Appreciate any & all ideas!

I had to do this a few years back.I went DFW -Denver-Cody on Delta.rented car and met up with gruop.

Change your staring airport too if you have options. Which airlines fly the rate matters. The United/Continental merger helped us a lot for the routes we need. Day of the week matters too. Tue/Thurs usually cheaper. Saturday next best as a general rule.

As already mentioned, ticket prices vary widely; one of the main considerations is whether more than one airline flies into/out of an airport. Jackson is served by one or at most 2 commercial airlines - less competition = higher prices. Bear in mind that changing airlines can be a hassle (especially if one of those airlines has to be booked separately from the others - it may mean that luggage can't be directly transferred, etc.) Just something to think about. You'll need to shop around. Other choices (not necessarily less expensive) that are within a day's drive of Yellowstone:

West Yellowstone MT
Bozeman MT
Billings MT
Cody WY
Jackson WY
Idaho Falls ID
Pocatello ID
SLC UT (the largest of the bunch) - 300 miles to West Yellowstone (one way)

Something to consider if using SLC or the Idaho airports is the Salt Lake Express shuttle vans/buses. There is service from SLC through Pocatello and Idaho Falls all the way to West Yellowstone and prices are pretty reasonable, so a car rental may not be needed (and would be more expensive). These are scheduled shuttles.

The prices can certainly vary widely depending on where you are leaving from and where you are going to. DW had to plan a trip for work inside the 2 week window recently. The difference between flying out of our location and out of a major city 150 miles away was over $600.

Bozeman is close and often a good price