Salt Lake City to Moab Flights Are Back: SkyWest Returns, and Redtail Offers the Scenic Route
More Ways to Fly Between Salt Lake City and Moab
SkyWest Airlines is back at Moab's Canyonlands Regional Airport. As the airport's new Essential Air Service carrier, SkyWest began flying between Moab and Salt Lake City on Oct. 1 and added year-round Denver service on Oct. 7. The service gives locals and visitors a dependable commercial link to northern Utah and beyond, and it means Moab can welcome visitors more consistently throughout the year.
Getting from Salt Lake City to Moab is now more accessible than ever, and Redtail Air Adventures is proud to be one of the ways to get there. For travelers who want the journey to feel like part of the adventure, Redtail offers a private, scenic charter from the Salt Lake area to Moab, with views no highway or airline route can match.
What SkyWest's Return Means for Moab
The U.S. Department of Transportation selected SkyWest in June for a four-year Essential Air Service contract at Canyonlands Regional Airport. The federal program supports scheduled flights to small communities like Moab.
SkyWest operates two routes out of Moab:
- Salt Lake City, flown as Delta Connection. The route runs through Thanksgiving, pauses for the winter and is expected to return in March.
- Denver, flown as United Express. This route runs year-round, so travelers can still connect through Denver during the winter months.
SkyWest flies 50-seat regional jets, a step up from the 30-seat aircraft Moab had before. Passengers can book one itinerary through Delta or United and check bags through to their final destination.
For locals, that means real options. A Moab resident can fly to Salt Lake City for a medical appointment, a concert or a business meeting, then connect to almost anywhere in the country.
"To have the Delta and United brands as our primary carriers is a huge advantage," Steve Gleason, director of Canyonlands Regional Airport, told the Moab Sun News.
Redtail shares that excitement. More ways into Moab is good news for everyone who lives in and visits this community.
Flying to Moab This Winter? Redtail Is the Direct Option
SkyWest's Salt Lake City route pauses after Thanksgiving and isn't expected back until March. During those months, there is no scheduled flight between Salt Lake City and Moab. The alternatives are a four-hour winter drive or a connection through Denver.
Redtail flies year-round, weather permitting. For holiday travelers, winter hikers and anyone who wants to see the red rock dusted with snow, a private charter is the only way to fly direct from the Salt Lake area to Moab between December and March.
An Alternative to Commercial: A Scenic Way From Salt Lake City to Moab
A commercial flight is built to get passengers from one airport to the next. A Redtail charter is built for the view.
The flight takes about 1.5 hours, and the route is designed to show off some of Utah's most iconic landscapes. Weather permitting, guests fly over:
- The Wasatch Mountains, rising above the Salt Lake Valley
- The San Rafael Swell, a sweeping uplift of canyons, reefs and buttes
- The Green River, winding south toward canyon country
- Canyonlands National Park, where rivers have carved deep mazes of red rock
- Downtown Moab, the small town at the heart of it all
- Arches National Park, home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches
Redtail is the only operator permitted to fly directly over Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
Redtail charters depart from Bountiful Skypark or Provo Airport. If neither works, Redtail will come to you. Flights are scheduled around each guest's plans, not an airline timetable.
Private charters also mean:
- Privacy. The aircraft is reserved for you and your group.
- Flexibility. Choose your departure time, airport and return date.
- Ease. No TSA lines, crowded terminals or long gate waits.
- A memorable start. The trip becomes one of the highlights of your visit.
Choose Your Route: Drive, SkyWest or Redtail
There's no single right way to reach Moab. The best option depends on your schedule, budget and what you want out of the trip.
| Drive | SkyWest (Delta Connection) | Redtail private charter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time in transit | About 4 hours | About 1 hour and 10 minutes | About 1.5 hours |
| Departs from | Your location | Salt Lake City International | Salt Lake City International + Provo + Ogden |
| Schedule | Anytime | One daily round trip, seasonal | Built around you |
| Season | Year-round | Through Thanksgiving, returns in March | Year-round, weather permitting |
| Best for | Road trippers | Connecting travelers and locals | Scenic, private and luxury travel |
SkyWest is the quickest way to connect Moab with the national airline network. Redtail is the choice for travelers who want privacy, flexibility and a flight they'll remember.
Charter pricing is based on both the aircraft and the number of passengers, and every trip is privately quoted.
What Makes Redtail Charters Different?
Redtail Air Adventures is based in Moab and has been flying in southeastern Utah since 1978. Guests work with a local team that knows the region's airports, terrain and destinations firsthand.
Every charter is tailored to the guest. Redtail coordinates departure times, pickup airports and multi-stop routes, and the team can help build a custom itinerary from the start.
Redtail's Moab base offers one more advantage. The same team that flies your charter can help plan the rest of your trip, from scenic flights to Monument Valley to charters across the Southwest.
We Don't Just Fly You to Moab
Salt Lake City to Moab is one of Redtail's most requested charters, but it's far from the only one. Redtail offers one-way and round-trip private charters across Utah and the Mountain West, including St. George, Page, Las Vegas, Aspen, Telluride, Denver and Jackson Hole.
Charter rates include the aircraft and crew. Fuel surcharges and trip-specific costs, such as overnight expenses, handling fees and federal excise taxes, are quoted separately.
See popular routes and request a quote on Redtail's charter page.
What Is the Experience Like?
The process starts well before departure. Redtail's team works directly with each guest to coordinate flight times, the departure airport, and trip details. On travel day, guests check in at a small, quiet airport instead of a crowded commercial terminal.
Once airborne, the scenery takes over. The Wasatch Mountains give way to the rugged San Rafael Swell and the winding Green River. Then come the canyons of Canyonlands, the streets of downtown Moab and the red rock fins of Arches.
One recent charter guest summed it up after flying the route in the opposite direction:
"Super fantastic flight from Moab to Salt Lake City! Clear skies, great pilot, smooth ride, awesome scenery, just gorgeous!" — Jo S., Tripadvisor, October 2024
As with all flights, weather may affect scheduling. When it does, Redtail's priority is always safe, dependable service.
Who Should Book a Scenic Charter to Moab?
A Redtail charter is an especially good fit for:
- Anyone flying between December and March, when SkyWest's Salt Lake City route is paused
- Couples planning a honeymoon, anniversary or special getaway
- Families who want the trip to be part of the vacation
- Groups traveling together on one schedule
- Travelers who value privacy and flexibility
- Anyone who wants to see Utah's landscape from the air
For travelers connecting through Salt Lake City International, SkyWest is a great option. For travelers who want the flight itself to be an experience, Redtail is the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a private flight from Salt Lake City to Moab?
A Redtail scenic charter takes about 1.5 hours. SkyWest's commercial flight takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Does SkyWest fly from Salt Lake City to Moab?
Yes. SkyWest has flown to Salt Lake City as Delta Connection since Oct. 1, 2026, and to Denver as United Express since Oct. 7. The Salt Lake City route pauses after Thanksgiving and is expected to return in March, while Denver service runs year-round. Book SkyWest flights through delta.com or united.com.
Can I fly from Salt Lake City to Moab in winter?
Yes. While SkyWest's Salt Lake City route is paused for the winter, Redtail private charters fly year-round, weather permitting.
How much does a private flight from Salt Lake City to Moab cost?
Pricing is based on the aircraft and the number of passengers, and each trip is privately quoted. Rates include the aircraft and crew. Fuel surcharges, overnight expenses, handling fees and federal excise taxes are quoted separately.
Where can I depart from?
Redtail charters can depart from any airport in the Western United States. Wherever you are, Redtail can come to you.
Can I charter a flight from Moab to another destination?
Yes. Redtail charters are customizable and can fly to destinations such as Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas and more.
Is the flight schedule flexible?
Yes. Charter flights are arranged around each guest's travel needs.
Can weather affect my charter?
Yes. Weather can affect availability, but Redtail works closely with its pilots and staff to provide safe and dependable service.
What aircraft does Redtail use, and how many passengers can fly?
Redtail's aircraft seat up to nine passengers. Larger groups can fly together on multiple planes.
Can I bring luggage?
Yes. Luggage is welcome on all charter flights. Share your bag count and weights when booking so the team can plan the flight.
Can children fly?
Yes. All ages are welcome. Children over 24 months need their own seat, and Redtail provides booster pillows.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on private charters. Share your dog's size and weight when booking so the team can plan seating and load.
Where do I land in Moab?
Moab charters arrive at Canyonlands Regional Airport (KCNY), home to Redtail's headquarters.
How do I get around after landing?
Passengers arrange their own ground transportation. Rental cars and shuttles are available in Moab; book ahead in peak season.
Is there a restroom on board?
No. Plan to use the restroom before departure.
What is the cancellation policy?
Private charters canceled at least 48 hours in advance receive a full refund. Later cancellations are not refundable.
How do I request a charter quote?
Call Redtail at (435) 259-7421 or request a quote through the charter page at flyredtail.com. A couple of weeks' notice is preferred, but the team can often get you in sooner.
Your Way to Moab
With SkyWest back at Canyonlands Regional Airport, the options for getting between Salt Lake City and Moab are growing. For travelers who want a private flight over the Wasatch, the San Rafael Swell, Canyonlands and Arches, in any season, Redtail is ready to welcome you.
Fly with the Moab team that's been flying southeastern Utah since 1978. Request your private charter quote today at flyredtail.com or call (435) 259-7421.