Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the primary commercial airport serving the Salt Lake City metropolitan area and a major hub for Delta Air Lines in the Mountain West. Located approximately four miles west of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, SLC has undergone a complete transformation through one of the largest airport construction projects in U.S. history — replacing its aging two-terminal complex with an entirely new, single-terminal facility that opened in phases beginning in 2020.
Salt Lake City International Airport's new terminal complex — formally called Terminal 1 — replaced the airport's previous two-building layout with a unified modern facility designed for efficiency, passenger comfort, and significant capacity growth. The new terminal features two concourses (Concourse A and Concourse B) connected to the main terminal building, with a TRAX light rail station integrated directly into the terminal's ground floor.
Delta Air Lines is the dominant carrier at SLC, using the airport as one of its major domestic and international hubs. Delta's operation at SLC is particularly important for the Mountain West, where the airline provides connectivity that enables Utah's world-class ski resorts, national parks, and outdoor recreation economy to attract visitors from across the country and internationally.
SLC's location near the center of the western United States — roughly equidistant between the Pacific Coast and the Rocky Mountain Continental Divide — makes it a natural connecting point for transcontinental routes. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 4,227 feet, and the nearby Wasatch Mountains create dramatic scenery for arriving and departing passengers.
Salt Lake City's first commercial airport opened in 1920. The current site was developed during the 1960s as the city grew, and the airport expanded through successive terminal additions over the following decades. Western Airlines (later absorbed into Delta Air Lines) and then Delta established SLC as a hub in the 1980s, driving rapid growth in the airport's passenger volumes.
By the 2010s, the existing terminal complex — built in pieces over several decades — had become aging, inefficient, and unable to accommodate the growth projected for the region. The Salt Lake City Airport Redevelopment Program was initiated as one of the most ambitious airport reconstruction projects in U.S. history, with a budget exceeding $4 billion. Phase 1 of the new terminal opened in September 2020, with Phase 2 following in the subsequent years.
The new SLC terminal complex consists of a central terminal building and two concourses. Concourse A is the primary Delta Air Lines facility, housing the bulk of Delta's hub operations including its Delta Sky Club lounge and the gates used for most domestic and international flights. Concourse B handles additional operations and provides overflow capacity as the airport grows into its new infrastructure.
The terminal building contains all ticketing, check-in, and baggage claim functions. Passengers access the concourses via a central security checkpoint, with the concourses extending east and west from the main terminal. The TRAX light rail Green and Blue Lines have a station directly inside the terminal building on the ground level.
Delta Air Lines is the overwhelmingly dominant carrier at SLC, operating the airport as one of its major hubs with service to more than 100 destinations. Delta's SLC hub provides nonstop service to cities across the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. International transatlantic service has expanded significantly with the opening of the new terminal, including routes to Amsterdam, London, Paris, and other European cities.
Other carriers at SLC include American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit, and Frontier. The airport serves as an important gateway for ski destination traffic to Park City, Alta, Snowbird, Deer Valley, and other resorts in the Wasatch Range.
The new SLC terminal is a showcase of modern airport design, featuring wide concourses with abundant natural light, local Utah-themed dining and retail concepts, and a generally spacious and comfortable environment that contrasts sharply with the cramped, dated previous terminal. Delta Sky Club operates in Concourse A for eligible Delta passengers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
The terminal's art program features significant installations reflecting Utah's landscape and Native American cultural heritage. Nursing rooms, interfaith prayer spaces, and pet relief areas are incorporated into the new design. The airport's connection to TRAX light rail makes it one of the more transit-friendly new airport terminals in the United States.
SLC is served by TRAX light rail with a station directly inside the terminal building. The TRAX Blue Line and Green Line both serve the airport, providing direct connections to downtown Salt Lake City (approximately 20 minutes), the University of Utah, Sandy, and West Valley City. TRAX runs frequently during peak hours and provides one of the more convenient airport-to-downtown light rail connections in the Mountain West.
Rideshare services operate from the lower level of the terminal. Taxis and car services serve the ground transportation areas. The Rental Car Center is located on the airport campus and accessible via shuttle. The airport is accessible via I-80 and I-215.
SLC's new parking complex was built alongside the new terminal, providing short-term, long-term, and economy parking options. The parking structure is connected to the terminal by covered walkways. Economy lots with shuttle service offer lower rates. The TRAX light rail from downtown Salt Lake City provides a practical alternative to parking for travelers originating from the city core.
The TRAX light rail from downtown Salt Lake City to the airport is fast, inexpensive, and runs directly into the terminal building — one of the most seamless light rail integrations at any U.S. airport. Take advantage of it if your origin is near a TRAX station.
For ski travelers, SLC is particularly well-suited for early-season and peak-season winter arrivals. Delta's afternoon and evening arrivals from the East Coast are timed to allow skiers to be on the slopes the following morning. The airport's new facilities mean shorter walks and more comfortable waiting areas than the previous terminal. Allow extra time during peak ski season weekends (December through March) when the airport experiences high leisure traffic volumes.
Salt Lake City International Airport is a critical driver of Utah's economy — a state whose growth has been among the fastest in the United States over the past two decades. The airport directly enables Utah's massive outdoor recreation and ski tourism economy, which generates billions of dollars annually. Delta's hub at SLC gives the city and state air connectivity far exceeding what its population would typically support, enabling the region's technology sector, healthcare, and financial services industries to attract global talent and investment.
SLC also serves as a regional air service hub for communities across Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming that lack sufficient population for direct major carrier service but can connect through SLC to national and international destinations.
Phase 2 and subsequent phases of the Salt Lake City Airport Redevelopment Program continue to add gates, expand concourse capacity, and complete the full vision of the new terminal design. International arrivals capacity and customs/immigration facilities are being expanded to accommodate Delta's growing transatlantic route network. The airport authority is also pursuing sustainability programs consistent with Salt Lake City's environmental goals.
SLC is a primary commercial airport and a major hub connecting the Mountain West with national destinations. It functions as one of Delta Air Lines' key western hubs and the primary aviation gateway for Utah's outdoor recreation and ski economy.
Airports within approximately 60 miles of Salt Lake City International Airport that may provide additional scheduled commercial, regional access.
Salt Lake City International Airport's new terminal complex is one of the most significant airport infrastructure achievements of the early 21st century — a complete reinvention of a major hub airport in the heart of the Mountain West. For Delta Air Lines passengers, ski resort visitors, outdoor recreation travelers, and Utah business travelers, the new SLC offers a dramatically improved passenger experience built for the next generation of Western U.S. aviation growth.
Yes — the new terminal that opened starting in 2020 is a major improvement over the previous dated facilities. Wide concourses, abundant natural light, local dining concepts, and integrated TRAX light rail access make it one of the better new airport terminals built in the U.S. in recent years.
TRAX Blue Line and Green Line trains depart from inside the terminal building. The ride to downtown Salt Lake City (City Center or Temple Square stations) takes approximately 20 minutes and trains run every 15 minutes during peak hours.
Yes — SLC is the primary gateway for Utah's ski resorts including Park City, Alta, Snowbird, and Deer Valley. Delta's hub provides direct flights from most major U.S. cities, and the ski resorts are approximately 30–45 minutes from the airport by car or shuttle.
Delta Air Lines is the dominant carrier, with American, United, Southwest, Alaska, Spirit, and Frontier also serving SLC. Delta's hub provides the most nonstop options including transatlantic routes.
For the most current flight schedules, parking availability, terminal maps, and ground transportation updates, visit the official Salt Lake City International Airport website.
Salt Lake City International Airport Official Site