Slc Airport: A Sprawling Hub For Travelers

The Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The airport covers 7,700 acres (3,116 ha) and has four runways. SLC is the 23rd busiest airport in the United States and 86th busiest in the world, serving about 28 million passengers in 2024. The airport has a single terminal with two concourses (A & B) and 63 gates. The airport is undergoing a \$5.1 billion redevelopment program that began in 2014, with Phase 1 opening in 2020, Phase 2 in 2023, Phase 3 in 2024, and Phase 4 scheduled for completion by 2026.

SLC's passenger capacity

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which accounts for about 70% of its total traffic. The airport is the 23rd busiest in the United States and 86th busiest in the world, serving more than 330 flights and 100 nonstop destinations daily. SLC is also the busiest airport in Utah, with 343 scheduled nonstop airline departures to 93 cities in North America and Europe.

In 2024, SLC set a record with 28,364,610 passengers served, a 5.2% increase from 2023. The airport has experienced steady growth since opening in 2020, serving about 12.5 million passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Passenger numbers continued to rebound in the following years, with 22.3 million passengers in 2021 and 25.7 million in 2022. In 2023, SLC served almost 27 million passengers, another record high.

SLC's terminal complex consists of one terminal with two linear concourses (Concourse A and Concourse B) and 93 gates. The western portion of Concourse A has 25 gates, while the western portion of Concourse B has 21. The eastern portion of Concourse B will have five gates in Phase 3 of the Airport Redevelopment Program, which opened in the fall of 2024. Phase 4, scheduled to open by 2026, will add the airport's first non-Delta club and 16 more gates to the eastern portion of Concourse B. Overall, Phases 2 to 4 are expected to add 48 new gates to the airport.

SLC covers 7,700 acres and has four runways. The airport is located about four miles (6.4 km) west of downtown Salt Lake City and is easily accessible by light rail (TRAX).

SLC's ranking among other airports

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, with about 70% of total traffic. The airport is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, and is the closest commercial airport for over 3 million people. SLC is the 23rd busiest airport in North America and the 86th busiest in the world. In 2024, SLC served a record 28,364,610 passengers, a 5.2% increase from 2023. The airport covers 7,700 acres and has one terminal with two concourses (A & B) and 63 to 73 gates. SLC has four runways, with the longest being runway 16L/34R at 12,002 feet long.

SLC is among the 20 busiest commercial airports in the United States, surpassing hubs in New York City and Philadelphia. In 2021, SLC was ranked as the country's 20th busiest airport with about 10.8 million boardings. The airport has consistently ranked high for on-time departures and arrivals, as well as having the fewest flight cancellations among major US airports. In 2018, SLC's Fleet Department placed 36th in the awards for Best 100 Fleets in North America.

SLC's ranking among North American airports is impressive, considering its size and the number of passengers it serves. The airport's convenient location, efficient operations, and strong on-time performance contribute to its high ranking. Additionally, SLC's status as a major hub for Delta Air Lines and its proximity to popular ski resorts and national parks likely contribute to its high volume of passenger traffic.

Looking forward, SLC is expected to continue climbing the charts in terms of passenger traffic and rankings. The new $4.1 billion airport, which opened in 2020 and is still under construction, is designed to accommodate more traffic. The ongoing redevelopment program, funded by user fees, savings, car rental fees, passenger facility charges, and airport revenue bonds, is expected to add 48 new gates to the airport upon completion.

SLC's location and surroundings

Salt Lake City International Airport (IATA: SLC, ICAO: KSLC, FAA LID: SLC) is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. The airport is owned by the City of Salt Lake City and is managed by the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, a department of Salt Lake City Corporation. SLC is about 15 minutes from the Salt Palace Convention Center and downtown hotels.

SLC is easily accessible from Interstates I-80 and I-215, as well as North Temple Street and Utah State Route 154 (Bangerter Highway). The airport is also conveniently served by light rail, TRAX, and bus services, including the UTA bus service and FrontRunner commuter rail.

The airport covers 7,700 acres (3,116 hectares) and has a single terminal with two concourses (Concourse A and Concourse B) connected by two underground tunnels. There are 73 gates in total, with plans to add 48 new gates in the future. The airport has four runways, three for air carriers and one for general aviation, oriented in a NNW/SSE magnetic direction due to prevailing winds.

SLC is surrounded by several notable landmarks and attractions. Ten major ski resorts are within an hour's drive, and there is easy access to five national and 42 state parks. The airport also serves as a gateway to 100 golf courses in Utah, including the famous Alpine courses in the nearby Wasatch Mountains.

SLC's history and development

Salt Lake City International Airport (IATA: SLC, ICAO: KSLC, FAA LID: SLC) is a joint civil-military international airport located about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The airport covers 7,700 acres (3,116 ha) and has four runways. The airport is owned by the City of Salt Lake City and is administered by the municipal Department of Airports.

The history of SLC can be traced back to the early days of aviation in the 20th century. In 1911, a site for an airfield was chosen on Basque Flats, named for the Spanish-French sheep herders who worked in the then-desolate area of the Salt Lake Valley. This airfield, known as Woodward Field, consisted of 400 acres, 11 hangars, and two gravel runways. In 1920, with the advent of airmail, the airport became an important outpost for air communication across the country. The airport was renamed Salt Lake City Municipal Airport in the 1930s, and in 1968, Western Airlines began offering its first commercial international flight from Salt Lake City to Calgary.

SLC continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years. From 1975 to 1980, the airport grew to 7,500 acres, and a new terminal building (the current Terminal 1) was dedicated. In the late 1990s, it became clear that SLC needed to evolve further to keep up with the aviation industry. Passenger demand was increasing, and the airport needed to accommodate larger planes and longer international routes. This led to the development of the Airport Redevelopment Program (ARP), which broke ground in 2014. The program aimed to replace aging facilities and construct new ones, including a rental car center, a parking garage, and a new terminal with two linear concourses.

SLC has continued to set records in passenger traffic in recent years. In 2024, the airport served 28,364,610 passengers, a 5.2% increase from 2023. It is currently the 21st busiest airport in the country and the 86th busiest in the world, with over 330 flights departing daily to 100 nonstop destinations. The airport is well-connected to the city, with light rail and road access, and is conveniently located within a 30-minute drive of nearly 1.3 million jobs.

SLC's facilities and services

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is a bustling hub of activity, offering a wide range of facilities and services to cater to the needs of its millions of annual passengers. The airport is currently undergoing a $5.1 billion redevelopment program, with phases being rolled out between 2020 and 2026, adding new terminals, concourses, and gates.

Terminals and Concourses

SLC has one main terminal building with two concourses (Concourse A and Concourse B). The concourses are connected by two underground tunnels, providing easy access for passengers transferring between flights. The airport boasts an impressive number of gates, with 63 gates currently in operation and plans to add 48 new gates upon the completion of all phases of the redevelopment.

Accessibility

SLC is committed to providing accessible facilities and services for passengers with functional needs or those requiring extra assistance. The airport offers wheelchairs with attendants, accessible restrooms, and elevators located near stairs and escalators. TDD telephones with LED screens are available at many terminal gates, and a paging system allows passengers to dial "0" on any paging phone to request assistance.

Dining and Shopping

Passengers at SLC have a variety of dining and shopping options to choose from. The airport's award-winning shopping facilities include gift shops, food outlets, newsagents, and bookstores located in both terminal buildings. For those looking to grab a bite, there are numerous restaurants and eateries spread across the concourses and terminal areas.

Additional Amenities

SLC offers a range of additional amenities to enhance the travel experience. This includes a Lost and Found office, infant care facilities, pet relief areas, and a paramedic service. For families travelling with children, there are play areas located in Concourses A, B, and E. The airport also has a golf course nearby and provides easy access to several national and state parks.

Frequently asked questions