Jazmin Li
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is a bustling hub of activity, serving over 28 million passengers in 2024 and ranking as the 23rd busiest airport in North America. With a strong focus on convenience, safety, and efficiency, the airport boasts an impressive on-time performance record and convenient access to ski resorts and golf courses. SLC is also notable for its art, such as the nostalgic world map designed by Julius Bartoli that graced the floor of the former airport for 60 years. But is the airport dry?
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What You'll Learn
Salt Lake City International Airport's history
Salt Lake City International Airport 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 is owned by the City of Salt Lake City and is administered by the municipal Department of Airports. It is the closest commercial airport for over 3 million people and is within a 30-minute drive of nearly 1.3 million jobs. The airport serves as a hub for Delta Air Lines and is a major gateway to the Intermountain West and the US West Coast.
The history of the airport can be traced back to 1911 when a site for an airfield was chosen on Basque Flats, named for the Spanish-French sheep herders who worked in the desolate area of the Salt Lake Valley. The same year, the Great International Aviation Carnival was held in Salt Lake City, with world-famous aviator Glenn H. Curtiss taking off from the nearby Great Salt Lake in his newly invented seaplane, a type of aircraft that had never been demonstrated to the public before.
In 1925, the postal service began awarding contracts to private companies, and Western Air Express became the first private company to carry US mail, flying from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles via Las Vegas. Western Air Express soon began carrying passengers along the same route and later became Western Airlines, which had a large hub in Salt Lake City. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh visited Woodward Field, drawing many spectators eager to see The Spirit of St. Louis. Over the next few years, the airport gained another runway and expanded to span over 400 acres (1.6 km2). In 1930, the airport was renamed Salt Lake City Municipal Airport, and in 1933, the first terminal and airport administration building were constructed at a cost of $52,000. By then, United Airlines had started serving Salt Lake City on flights between New York City and San Francisco.
In 1960, a new terminal (currently Terminal 1) was dedicated after seven years of work and at a cost of $8 million. In 1968, the airport officially became Salt Lake City International Airport when a non-stop route to Calgary, Canada, was awarded to Western Airlines. Western Airlines had strong ties to Salt Lake City, and in 1982, it increased its service to hub status. Terminal 2 was built solely for Western Airlines and featured several murals by artist LeConte Stewart. During the 1980s, the airport underwent further expansion, with both terminals and runways being extended. In 1987, Western Airlines merged with Delta Air Lines, and Salt Lake City continued to serve as a major airline hub for Delta.
In recent years, the airport has continued to undergo significant development, including the completion of Phase 1 of The New SLC, which included the addition of a rental car service, parking facilities, and Concourse A and B. The airport set a record in 2024, serving 28,364,610 passengers, a 5.2% increase from the previous year.
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The airport's location and transport links
Salt Lake City International Airport 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 administered by the municipal Department of Airports. It is the closest commercial airport for over 3 million people and is within a 30-minute drive of nearly 1.3 million jobs.
The airport is accessible from I-80 at exit 115 B or from I-215 at exits 22 and 22 B, with the GA terminal accessible from I-215 exit 23. The airport can also be accessed from North Temple Street and Utah State Route 154 (Bangerter Highway), which both terminate and merge into the airport's Terminal Drive.
Rail and bus services connect the surrounding region to the airport, including the TRAX light rail service from the Airport station, the UTA bus service (via TRAX), and the FrontRunner commuter rail (via TRAX). Ground transportation is available from the airport to ski resorts and locations throughout Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, and Summit counties. Many Salt Lake taxis, limousines, and shuttles can accommodate ski equipment.
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Lyft and Uber can pick up and drop off passengers at the airport if they have an airport operating permit. These TNCs have designated pick-up areas indicated by curbside signs, located in the middle traffic lane on the ground level outside of the terminal.
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Airlines and destinations
Salt Lake City International Airport 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 is accessible via road, with exits from I-80, I-215, and Utah State Route 154 (Bangerter Highway). It also offers rail and bus services, including TRAX light rail, UTA bus service, and FrontRunner commuter rail.
The airport serves as a hub for Delta Air Lines and was the 28th busiest airport in the world in 2024, serving 28,364,610 passengers. It offers 343 scheduled nonstop daily departures to 93 cities in North America and Europe. Some of the destinations include Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA), Charlotte (CLT), and Phoenix (PHX) within the United States.
Historically, the airport has been a significant aviation hub, with Western Air Express, the first private company to carry U.S. mail, beginning its operations in Salt Lake City in 1925. United Airlines also served Salt Lake City in the early days, offering flights between New York City and San Francisco. Today, the airport continues to be a major gateway to the Intermountain West and the West Coast.
In addition to commercial airlines, the airport accommodates air ambulance, law enforcement, and state and federal government aircraft. It is also home to flight training facilities and the Utah Air National Guard Base, now named the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base.
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Passenger numbers and rankings
Salt Lake City Airport is located just 4 miles from downtown Salt Lake City. It is the largest airport serving the city, with around 340 scheduled flights daily to over 90 destinations. In 2023, the airport served 24 million passengers, according to one source, while another states the number was closer to 27 million. This made it the 23rd busiest airport in North America and 86th in the world.
The airport has been ranked the top airport in the US and 8th in the world for excellence in aviation and passenger experience. It has also been recognised for its punctuality of departures and arrivals, as well as having the fewest flight cancellations. In 2024, it was ranked the most on-time US airport, and it also tied for 8th place in the North America Airport Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power.
The airport's high rankings are partly due to Delta Air Lines, which operates around 70% of the airport's total traffic. Delta was ranked first in North America for flight completion, achieving a rate of 98.95%.
The airport is undergoing a $5.1 billion redevelopment program, which will enhance its capacity and ability to serve a growing number of passengers. With its ongoing redevelopment efforts, strategic location, and world-class amenities, Salt Lake City Airport is positioned as a leading global aviation hub.
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Facilities and services
Salt Lake City International Airport is located about 4 miles west of Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, and is the 20th busiest airport in North America. The airport is easily accessible by road from various exits on the I-80 and I-215, as well as North Temple Street and Utah State Route 154 (Bangerter Highway). For those using public transport, the airport is serviced by the TRAX light rail service, the UTA bus service, and the FrontRunner commuter rail.
The airport is a hub for Delta Air Lines and is well-equipped with facilities for various aviation services. It has three fixed-base operators: Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation, and Menzies Aviation, all located on the east side. The airport caters to air ambulances, law enforcement, and state and federal government aircraft. It also accommodates several flight training facilities, including one run by Westminster College. Additionally, the Utah Air National Guard operates the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base on the airport's east side.
Salt Lake City International Airport offers a range of dining and shopping options for travellers, with ground transportation available to ski resorts and locations across several counties. The airport also provides essential services such as lost and found, and estimates of security screening wait times.
With a strong record of on-time departures and arrivals, as well as the lowest percentage of cancellations among major US airports, Salt Lake City International Airport is renowned for its efficient operations. In 2024, the airport served over 28 million passengers, setting a new record.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Salt Lake City Airport is not dry. The airport is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is surrounded by ski resorts and golf courses.
Salt Lake City Airport has a variety of shops and dining options for travellers to enjoy. The airport also features a piece of art designed by Dallas stoneworker Julius Bartoli, which was installed in the airport in the 1960s and reinstated in 2024.
Fourteen airlines serve Salt Lake City International Airport, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.
