✈️ Yellowstone Flights — SFO → SLC
Fly from SFO to Salt Lake City (SLC) — then 30 min drive to Molly's parents in Summit Park.
Key Facts
- Flight time: ~2 hours (1h54m–2h11m)
- Airlines with nonstop SFO→SLC: Delta, United, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue
- Oscar (3) needs his own seat — no lap-child discount
- Return is Jul 4 (holiday) — book early, prices climb in spring
Outbound Options (SFO → SLC)
You could fly Jun 27 (Sat) or Jun 28 (Sun) depending on how much time you want with Molly's parents in Summit Park.
Delta — most frequent (SLC is their hub)
| Flight | Depart SFO (PT) | Arrive SLC (MT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DL1331 | ~7:00am | ~9:54am | Early but gets you there by breakfast |
| DL902 | ~9:30am | ~12:25pm | ⭐ Good mid-morning for Oscar |
| DL1088 | ~4:55pm | ~7:56pm | Afternoon option |
| DL... (many more) | Multiple | Every ~2 hrs | Delta runs ~8–10 daily SFO→SLC |
United
| Flight | Depart SFO (PT) | Arrive SLC (MT) |
|---|---|---|
| ~5:45am | Earliest | |
| Mid-morning options | ~9–11am range | |
| ~7:59pm | Last departure |
Alaska
- ~5 weekly nonstops, typically mid-day
- Good alternative if Delta/United prices spike
Frontier (budget)
- Cheapest option (~$60–80 RT) but fewer departures and stricter baggage fees
- Worth checking if you're packing light
Return Options (SLC → SFO — Jul 4)
Evening flights are best — gives you the full day in the park + drive back.
Delta
| Flight | Depart SLC (MT) | Arrive SFO (PT) |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple evening | ~5–9pm range | ~6–10pm |
United
| Depart SLC (MT) | Arrive SFO (PT) |
|---|---|
| ~6:00pm | ~7:15pm |
| ~11:00pm | ~12:15am (next day) |
Jul 4 is a holiday weekend — book as early as possible. The 5:30–7pm departure window is ideal: gives you time to drive from Yellowstone (leave by 10am) and get to SLC by ~4pm.
Pricing Guidance
⚠️ These are typical price ranges from recent data (Kayak, Skyscanner, Google Flights), not live quotes for your specific dates. Actual prices depend on when you book.
| Airline | Typical RT/person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier | ~$60–$90 | Cheapest, but fewer flights + baggage fees |
| Alaska | ~$90–$150 | Decent mid-range option |
| Delta | ~$150–$250 | Most frequency, SLC is their hub |
| United | ~$150–$250 | Similar to Delta on this route |
| Total for 3 | ~$180–$750 | Varies wildly by airline + booking timing |
Best strategy: Check Google Flights or Kayak for your specific dates. Set a price alert. Delta usually has the best frequency/schedule fit even if slightly more expensive.
What to Check
- Delta SFO→SLC mid-morning (DL902 or similar ~9:30am)
- Delta SLC→SFO evening (~5–7pm on Jul 4)
- United comparable times as backup
- Frontier if budget is the priority
- Whether to fly Jun 27 instead of Jun 28 for an extra Summit Park day
- Car seat logistics — do Molly's parents have one, or bring Oscar's?