You’re standing in the middle of Sky Harbor, probably sweating because it's 105 degrees outside, and you're thinking about Big Sky Country. It makes sense. Phoenix is great, but sometimes you just need to see a rimrock instead of a saguaro.
If you're looking for flights to Billings Montana from Phoenix, you might assume it's a straightforward shot. But honestly, the "obvious" way to book this trip is often the most expensive. People usually just head to a major aggregator, see a $400 price tag for a connecting flight through Denver, and sigh.
Stop doing that.
There are actually a few specific ways to hack this route that most casual travelers miss. From the split between Sky Harbor and Gateway to the weird seasonal shifts in Montana's "high season," getting to Billings doesn't have to drain your savings.
The Direct Flight Dilemma: PHX vs. AZA
Most people instinctively go to PHX—Phoenix Sky Harbor. It's the hub. It's convenient. But for this specific route, the real secret is often lurking over at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA).
Allegiant Air is the heavy hitter here. They run direct flights to Billings Montana from Phoenix (Mesa) that can be ridiculously cheap. We’re talking $55 or $75 one-way if you catch them on a good day. The catch? They don't fly every day. It’s usually a twice-a-week situation, often on Mondays and Fridays or Thursdays and Sundays. If your schedule is rigid, Allegiant will frustrate you. If you can move your "weekend" by 24 hours, you’ll save enough to buy a few steak dinners in downtown Billings.
Then you have American Airlines. They are currently the primary carrier offering non-stop service from Sky Harbor (PHX) to Billings Logan International (BIL). They typically use the Embraer 175, which is a regional jet. It’s a 2-hour and 30-minute hop.
- Pro tip: The American flight often leaves late. Like, 8:00 PM late. You’ll land in Billings near midnight.
- The Alternative: If you can't do the late arrival, you're looking at a connection.
Connecting isn't always a bad thing, though. Delta through Salt Lake City is often the most reliable "Plan B." Salt Lake is a beautiful airport to kill an hour in, and the flight from SLC to Billings is less than 90 minutes.
When to Pull the Trigger on Your Tickets
Timing is everything. In the world of Montana travel, July is the king of expensive. Everyone wants to see the Beartooth Highway or head toward Yellowstone in the summer.
If you want the absolute bottom-barrel prices, look at September or February.
September is actually the "sweet spot" for Montana. The crowds at the breweries on Montana Avenue have thinned out, the air is crisp, and the flight prices drop significantly. Expedia data from 2026 shows that booking on a Sunday can actually save you about 13% compared to booking on a Friday. It sounds like an old wives' tale, but the data holds up.
Also, aim for the "Goldilocks Window." For domestic hops like this, that's roughly 28 to 35 days out. Don't be that person booking three months in advance for a random Tuesday in April; you'll likely pay more than you need to.
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Surviving Billings Logan International (BIL)
When you land, you aren't landing in a massive metropolis. Billings Logan is perched right on top of "The Rims." It’s actually one of the coolest airport approaches in the country because you see the entire city laid out below the cliffs.
Once you’re on the ground, don’t expect a subway system. Billings is a car town.
- Rental Cars: Book these the second you book your flight. During peak summer months, they can actually run out.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft exist here, but they aren't as omnipresent as they are in Scottsdale. If you land at midnight on a Tuesday, you might wait 15 minutes for a ride.
- Parking: If you’re a local reading this from the Billings side, know that the long-term parking rates changed recently. Economy lots are about $10 a day now, which is still a steal compared to Sky Harbor’s $25+ rates.
The Connectivity Reality Check
Let’s talk about United and Alaska. They both fly this route, but you’re almost certainly going to stop. United will funnel you through Denver (DEN). Denver is a chaotic neutral airport—it can be a breeze or a nightmare depending on the wind. Alaska will take you through Seattle (SEA) or Portland (PDX), which is literally flying the wrong direction for two hours before coming back.
Unless the price difference is over $150, I’d avoid the Seattle layover. It adds nearly five hours to a trip that should only take three.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Don't just browse. Execute. Here is exactly how to snag the best deal for your next trek north.
- Check AZA First: Go to the Allegiant website directly. They don’t show up on many search engines like Google Flights or Expedia. If they have a flight on your dates, it will almost always be the cheapest.
- Set a Google Flight Alert for PHX-BIL: Specifically for the non-stop American Airlines flight. Prices for this seat fluctuate wildly, sometimes dropping by $100 for a 24-hour window.
- Pack Layers: You're leaving the desert. Even in July, Billings can drop into the 50s at night. If you’re flying in October, you might leave Phoenix in shorts and land in a snowstorm.
- Skip the Friday Booking: If you're sitting at your desk on a Friday afternoon thinking about a vacation, wait until Sunday morning to hit the "buy" button. Your wallet will thank you.
Basically, the "best" way to find flights to Billings Montana from Phoenix is to be airport-agnostic. Check Mesa-Gateway for the deals, but keep Sky Harbor in your back pocket for the convenience of daily schedules.
Go see the Moss Mansion. Drink a Pint at Uberbrew. Just don't pay $500 to get there.