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Jackson Hole Airport is Low-Key Yet Modern
But I'm older now, with a more finely-honed survival instinct. Thrills like that don't thrill anymore. So, it's nice to know that the Jackson Hole airport is now 100% modernized and fully-instrumented, allowing for very safe landings in any kind of weather. The airport is rarely closed due to weather and has become increasingly user-friendly and accessible in every way. The largest airliner that can land there is a 757. Private planes are handled through Jackson Hole Aviation (307-733-4767) or (1-800-487-5387).A restaurant (Jedediah's at the Airport) serves food to travelers from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. There is also a gift shop and a national park-sponsored bookstore. Jackson Hole Airport has the distinction of being the only airport within the boundaries of a national park.Once you land, after you're blown away by the excellent view of the Teton Range, you can rent a car or take one of many taxi options to your final destination. Shuttle service is available to Jackson ($15 one way or $28 round-trip), or to Teton Village ($23 one way or $42 round trip). Easy enough to find these options because the airport is small and set-up in a very straightforward manner. As of Summer 2008, the following airlines offer daily flights to and from these cities: American Airlines - Chicago (O'Hare), Dallas/Fort Worth (1-800-433-7300) Delta - Salt Lake City, Atlanta (in high season) (307-732-0364) or (1-800- 221-1212) Frontier - Denver (307-732-1718) or (1-800-432-1359) Northwest - Minneapolis (307-7329-9920) or (1-800-225-2525) SkyWest - Salt Lake City (307-732-0364) or (1-800-221-1212) United - Denver, Chicago (in winter) (307-732-0364) or (1-800-241-6522) If you're Dick Cheney, you can arrive on Air Force 2. Enjoy that benefit while it lasts Mr. Vice-President...
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Jackson Hole airport (JAC) has come a long way since I first visited the area in 1971. Back then, the Convair-580 prop jets couldn't land unless the summit of Blacktail Butte (a mid-valley hill) was visible. It was kind of scary yet exciting back then to fly into the valley in horrible weather, knowing that the impossibly tall, immovably granite Teton mountains were nearby.
