Air reservations for YNP
Apr 22nd, 2002 | 02:00 PM
#1
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Air reservations for YNP
I have reservations in the park for the week of Aug. 17-24, but now I'm conflicted on when to purchase my airline tickets. We are flexible on which location to come in to, but are hoping for Jackson Hole. Can anyone else give me their experience on when they purchased their tickets?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Apr 22nd, 2002 | 08:54 PM
#3
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Hi Shelly!
Flights into Jackson are very limited & therefore expensive almost all the time. Check it out right away for availability. Also, consider alternative airports like SLC, Idaho Falls. SLC is only a 4 1/2 hour drive with many flights & much more reasonable fares.
Good luck!
Flights into Jackson are very limited & therefore expensive almost all the time. Check it out right away for availability. Also, consider alternative airports like SLC, Idaho Falls. SLC is only a 4 1/2 hour drive with many flights & much more reasonable fares.
Good luck!
Apr 23rd, 2002 | 07:13 AM
#5
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We flew into Bozeman from Charlotte. I watched fares for several months and there was not a lot of fluctuation in price. I purchased my tickets for our December trip in September (pre 9-11) and even afterward there was not much change.
Have you signed up for a fare watcher?
Have you signed up for a fare watcher?
Apr 23rd, 2002 | 11:00 AM
#6
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I fly in and out of Jackson quite often. Fares range from $350 to $700, depending on where you are flying in from. The airport is currently served by American, Delta, and United; service by Northwest Airlines is scheduled to begin at some point this year.
American only serves Jackson from Dallas and Chicago; there is one flight to/from each city per day. The flights arrive around noon and leave in the late afternoon, so the connections to other cities can be tight and/or limited. When Northwest begins service, it will be once a day from Minneapolis. Fares on American tend to be higher than other airlines. I assume that it will be the same for Northwest, since seats will be fairly limited with only one flight per day.
Delta and United serve Jackson with commuter service from SLC and Denver, respectively. They tend to offer cheaper fares than the other airlines, mainly because they have more seats to fill. They are also a better selection because they have fairly frequent flights. QUite often, flights are delayed/cancelled in and out of JAckson because of weather or other circumstances; it's better to be on an airline that can accomodate you right away, IMHO.
I bought two tickets from NYC to Jackson last June for travel in August. The fare on United for my brother was $425; my fare on American was $350. In my experience, it was a rare case that American's fare was cheaper.
Tickets in and out of Idaho Falls or Salt Lake City may be $100-200 cheaper than flights that go to Jackson. BUt you should factor in the added driving time and possibly having to stay one or two nights near the airport you fly in and out of. IF you only have a week to see the area, you could lose two days traveling to and from SLC. Idaho Falls is closer, but is equally difficult to get to by plane as Jackson.
American only serves Jackson from Dallas and Chicago; there is one flight to/from each city per day. The flights arrive around noon and leave in the late afternoon, so the connections to other cities can be tight and/or limited. When Northwest begins service, it will be once a day from Minneapolis. Fares on American tend to be higher than other airlines. I assume that it will be the same for Northwest, since seats will be fairly limited with only one flight per day.
Delta and United serve Jackson with commuter service from SLC and Denver, respectively. They tend to offer cheaper fares than the other airlines, mainly because they have more seats to fill. They are also a better selection because they have fairly frequent flights. QUite often, flights are delayed/cancelled in and out of JAckson because of weather or other circumstances; it's better to be on an airline that can accomodate you right away, IMHO.
I bought two tickets from NYC to Jackson last June for travel in August. The fare on United for my brother was $425; my fare on American was $350. In my experience, it was a rare case that American's fare was cheaper.
Tickets in and out of Idaho Falls or Salt Lake City may be $100-200 cheaper than flights that go to Jackson. BUt you should factor in the added driving time and possibly having to stay one or two nights near the airport you fly in and out of. IF you only have a week to see the area, you could lose two days traveling to and from SLC. Idaho Falls is closer, but is equally difficult to get to by plane as Jackson.
Apr 23rd, 2002 | 01:56 PM
#7
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Thanks everyone. I'm flying from Houston so there are no direct flights. Money isn't much of an issue. I planned for the higher expense of coming into Jackson Hole. I'm part of Travelocity's Fare Watcher, but the price hasn't changed much since March. My debate now is whether the flights will be booked if I wait till May or June.
