SLC to Monterey Flights: Delta Nonstop Starts Dec. 19

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Delta nonstop service between Salt Lake City (SLC) and Monterey (MRY) is announced but not yet operating. Monterey Regional Airport lists Delta as coming soon. AeroRoutes’ September 17 schedule report gives a December 19, 2026 start, with one daily SkyWest-operated Delta Connection Embraer E175 flight.

That is the published launch schedule, not a promise of permanent daily or year-round service. Confirm the nonstop, operating carrier and times with Delta for both directions before booking hotels or ground transport.

Should you fly to Monterey, San Jose or San Francisco?

For a trip centered on Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Pebble Beach, start your search with MRY. For a trip that also includes Silicon Valley or San Francisco, compare the complete itinerary—not just the airfare.

Airport	When to compare it	Tradeoff to price into the trip
Monterey (MRY)	Monterey Peninsula lodging, golf or a coastal stay	Check whether the new nonstop’s dates and times fit
San Jose (SJC)	A Silicon Valley stop or a better flight itinerary	Add the drive or booked ground transfer to Monterey
San Francisco (SFO)	A San Francisco stay before or after the coast	Account for the longer onward trip, traffic and car pickup

See Monterey’s travel guide places MRY about ten minutes from downtown Monterey and fifteen from Carmel-by-the-Sea. Those are destination-planning estimates, not guaranteed transfer times. Use your actual hotel address when comparing airports.

A cheaper Bay Area fare can stop being cheaper after another rental day, fuel, parking or a paid transfer. Conversely, a flight that fits your plans better may justify the longer ground trip. Compare the total for everyone traveling together.

Do you need a rental car at MRY?

Our recommendation: reserve a car if the itinerary spans several towns, golf courses or coastal stops. For a hotel-based Monterey visit, first ask whether your planned outings can work with booked transfers or local transport; you may not need a car sitting in paid hotel parking all week.

MRY lists Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National rental providers. Confirm your chosen company’s counter hours, late-arrival process and luggage capacity before reserving. A golf bag or several suitcases can change which vehicle makes sense.

For a car-free trip, arrange the airport transfer and any out-of-town excursions before arrival. Do not assume a hotel shuttle or a return ride from a remote coastal stop is included.

Using Monterey as a gateway to Big Sur

MRY can be a useful starting point for a Big Sur trip, but your exact destination and road access matter more than a generic “Big Sur” drive time. Check See Monterey’s current travel alerts and the linked Caltrans information before setting out.

Being able to reach a hotel from Monterey does not establish that the entire Highway 1 drive farther south is open. Confirm access with the property, save directions and allow time to return the car and check in for the flight. Avoid building a departure-day itinerary around a long coastal excursion with no buffer.

What is the E175 flight experience?

The launch schedule lists an Embraer E175. Delta’s E175 seat maps show two seats on each side in the main cabin, so there are no middle seats. Aircraft assignments can change; use the seat map attached to your actual reservation.

Check baggage and seat-selection charges when comparing fares, especially with golf equipment. Do not infer a particular onboard amenity or baggage allowance from the aircraft name alone.

Before you book

Search MRY, not just a broad Bay Area destination.
For travel before December 19, do not expect this announced nonstop to be available.
Verify both outbound and return flights, including whether either requires a connection.
Compare full trip costs across MRY, SJC and SFO.
Confirm rental pickup or a ground transfer and recheck road access close to departure.

For other routes, use the SLC nonstop destinations tool. If your California trip is actually focused on Sonoma County, see the separate Santa Rosa flights guide; Santa Rosa and Monterey serve different parts of the coast.

Sources checked

Primary sources checked September 23, 2026. Schedules, prices, and operating rules can change; follow the linked source for the latest information.

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