The Ultimate Salt Lake City Airport Playbook

The Ultimate Salt Lake City Airport Playbook

Navigating the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has changed drastically after the completion of massive redevelopment in October 2026. Earlier there were three distinct terminals, which are now combined into a single terminal. Having walked through the ‘mile-long’ concourse from Concourse A to B, I have put together the essential layout, parking options, lounge tips, services, and amenities so you easily clear the security and reach to your departure gate without hassle. 

SLC Overview: Key Stats & Travel Reality

Salt Lake City Airport is located roughly 4 miles northwest of downtown Salt Lake City. SLC is the primary hub for Utah and the Intermountain West. If you are someone who visited the airport in the past, you will notice drastic changes to the airport. Salt Lake City Airport has undergone a massive 5.1 billion redesign project completed on October 27, 2026. So, throw out the old memories and prepare to get a surprise at every step. 

Here is what you need to know about the new facility before flying:

  • Main hub for Delta: With nearly 70% of the flights operating from the airport, Delta becomes the most seamless domestic connecting hub. 

  • The New Layout: After the redevelopment, the three terminals are not merged into a single central terminal, which has two main concourses lettered A & B sitting parallel to each other. 

  • Gates: The airport has added 8 more gates in the redevelopment program, which takes the total gates to 94 from 86. Out of these 94 gates, only three are capable of handling larger international aircraft.

  • High-Elevation Air: The airport sits 4,200 feet above sea level. So, make sure to keep yourself hydrated because dry air can be problematic, especially during long layovers. 

  • Transit Access: The UTA TRAX green light rail runs every 15 minutes from downtown to SLC Airport. To find the station, move to the ground level and take an exit from door 1A, and the station is located just outside the main terminal. 

Earlier the airport had narrow intersecting taxiways, due to which planes had to wait for the aircraft to move. Now, after the redevelopment, the parallel layout gives more space to aircraft to move easily and clear the ways for other aircraft. 

Airlines That Fly from Salt Lake City Airport

Since there is only one terminal at Salt Lake City International Airport, all the flights operate from the same terminal. There are 14 airlines, and their regional flights serve the airport. Here is a list of airlines that operate their service from the airport: 

  • Delta Air Lines: the hub carrier and by far the largest airline at SLC

  • Southwest Airlines

  • United Airlines

  • American Airlines

  • Alaska Airlines

  • Hawaiian Airlines

  • JetBlue Airways

  • Frontier Airlines

  • Sun Country Airlines

  • Air Canada

  • WestJet

  • Aeromexico

  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (seasonal service to Amsterdam)

  • Volaris Airlines

Salt Lake City Airport Terminal and Concourses

Salt Lake City Airport Terminal and Concourses

Terminal Overview

SLC Airport has a single central main terminal, which features two parallel concourses, A & B. The terminal is divided into three levels, 1, 2, and 3, for convenience. 

  • Level 1: It is also known as ground level, which is mainly responsible for international arrivals, baggage claim, international security checkpoints, customs & immigration, and ground transportation. This is the level where the rideshare pickups happen. 

  • Level 2: It features a pedestrian bridge and a moving walkway that connects the terminal building to the parking garage. Additionally, it has the main consolidated TSA security screening checkpoint for all the concourses and additional baggage claim service. The airport information desk also sits at this level.

  • Level 3: The Level 3 of the building is entirely dedicated to departure and ticketing. The customer service desk, ticket counters, and check-in kiosk are available at this level. 

Understand the Salt Lake City Airport map; the terminal is located in the middle, and then you will find the Concourse A on the east side and Concourse B on the west side. There is a tunnel with a moving walkway that connects both terminals. Use the TRAX located on the south end of the building to move out of the airport. 

Note: You must check the interactive map on the airport’s official website only, as many third parties might show you an old version. 

Concourse A

Concourse A primarily handles Delta Airlines domestic as well as long-haul international flights. It features a total of 47 gates and has an extensive selection of dining options, including local Utah eateries. The dining and restaurants are available in the central plaza located past the security area. The main Delta Sky Club is located on the second level. 

Additionally, you will find the Minute Suites near the gate A33, an XpresSpa, and the USO lounge for military travelers.

Concourse B

Concourse B is the newest part of the airport and has 47 gates in total, with the gate-area restaurant running from B3 to B31. It mainly incorporates the flights of Alaska, American, Frontier, Southwest, United, JetBlue, and selected flights of Delta Airlines. At this concourse, Salt Lake City airport lounges including Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge are available.

The eastern end is approximately a 15-minute walk from the tunnel. Thus, if your flight is departing from gate B20 to B30, make sure to add extra time to your travel time. 

Dining and Shopping at Salt Lake City Airport

The Salt Lake City Airport food is one of the most sorted scenes. The prices for the food at the airport are also lower. You will approximately pay the same price for the dishes and items that you may have paid in the city.

Dining and Shopping at Salt Lake City Airport

Before security

  • Blue Lemon: Terminal, before security. Daily 8 AM-9 PM.

  • Starbucks: Terminal ground level, before security. Daily 5 AM-10 PM.

Concourse A Plaza and food court

  • Starbucks: Concourse A Plaza. Open 24 hours.

  • Market Street Grill: Concourse A Plaza. Daily 6:30 AM-10:30 PM.

  • Granato's Gourmet Market: Concourse A Plaza. Daily 4:30 AM-10 PM.

  • Fillings & Emulsions: Concourse A Plaza food court. Daily 6 AM-10 PM.

  • Shake Shack: Concourse A Plaza food court. Daily 6 AM-midnight.

  • Panda Express: Concourse A Plaza food court. Sun-Tue 6 AM-midnight, Wed-Sat 6 AM-11 PM.

Concourse A gate area

  • Starbucks: near Gate A11. Daily 5 AM-10:30 PM.

  • Beans & Brews: near Gate A15. Daily 4 AM-11 PM.

  • Cafe Rio: near Gate A17. Daily 6 AM-11 PM.

  • Squatters Pub Brewery: near Gate A20 and Gate B3. Daily 6:30 AM-midnight.

  • Panera Bread: near Gate A21. Daily 4 AM-2 AM.

  • Blue Iguana: near Gate A33. Daily 6 AM-11 PM.

  • Hugo Coffee Roasters: near Gate A33. Daily 5 AM until the last flight.

  • P.F. Chang's: near Gate A35. Daily 6:30 AM until the last flight.

  • Red Rock Brewing: near Gate A41. Daily 8 AM-11 PM.

  • Millcreek Coffee Roasters: near Gate A45. Daily 5:30 AM-11:30 PM.

Concourse B

  • Gourmandise Euro Diner and Bakery: near Gate B9. Daily 4 AM until the last flight.

  • Maggiano's Little Italy: near Gate B21. Daily 6:30 AM-10 PM.

  • Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburger: near Gate B26. Daily 5 AM-11 PM.

  • Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar: near Gate B27. Daily 8 AM-9 PM.

  • Aubergine Kitchen: near Gate B31. Daily 6 AM-8 PM.

  • Moab Brewery: near Gate B31. Daily 9 AM-8:30 PM.

Shopping

  • M.A.C.: Concourse A Plaza. Open daily 6 AM. to 11 PM.

  • Land Speed Depot by Hudson: Concourse A, Near Gate A24. Open daily at 4 AM to until last flight.

  • SLC Public Market: Concourse A, Near Gate A27. Open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM.

  • Tech on the Go: Concourse A Plaza. Open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM.

  • Utah Jazz Pro Shop: Concourse A, Near Gate A31. Open daily 6 AM to 11 PM.

  • &Go SLC: Concourse B, Near Gate B37. Open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM.

  • Briggs & Riley: Concourse B, Near Gate B11. Open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM.

  • Art of Aesthetics: Concourse B, Near Gate B29. Open daily from 7 AM to 7:30 PM.

  • Cotopaxi: Concourse B, Near Gate B21. Open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM.

  • Good Earth Markets: Concourse B, Near Gate B34. Open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM.

  • iStore Express: Concourse B, Near Gate B25. Open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM. 

  • Liberty Park / Hip & Humble: Concourse B, Near Gate B7. Open daily 4 AM - 1:30 PM or Last Flight

My dining insights

  • The terminal has only one Starbucks and a Blue Lemon shop before the checkpoint. 

  • If you are looking to taste a variety of food, move to the Concourse A Plaza, where you will get different types of restaurants and cuisine all at one place. 

  • Look for the Cafe Rio, Squatters, Red Rock, and Moab Brewery for the local taste. These brands started from the Utah only. 

  • If you want a lighter meal, you can consider Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh near Gate A13 and Aubergine Kitchen, where you will find the food without added sugar and seed oil. 

  • Walking around the concourse can take time; therefore, it is best to first move to your departure gate and then have your meal at the nearest option available. 

  • If you have a connecting flight, always grab food from the nearest option. 

  • The brewpubs such as Squatters and Red Rock are an ideal choice for a sit-down meal when you have a long layover or delayed flight. 

  • If you are planning to have a few drinks at a brewpub or a bar, make sure to bring a valid ID to get the entry.

Budget Hotels Near SLC Airport

There are no hotels available inside the SLC main central terminal. However, there are several hotels near Salt Lake City airport that are affordable, and most of them provide complimentary shuttles. I am listing a few airports that are worth a stay for a few nights, and all of these options cost less than $100.

Hotel Distance From (per night) Free airport shuttle
Ramada Salt Lake City Airport Approx. 2.4 miles The price starts from $67 Yes. (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
Super 8 Salt Lake City Airport Approx. 3 miles Standard rate: $55 or Wyndham Rewards Rate: $45 Yes. (Schedule your transfer with the hotel)
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Approx. 1.9 miles Standard rate: $99 or Wyndham Rewards Rate: $94 Yes. (4 p.m.–11:35 p.m.), every 45 minutes
Comfort Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport Approx. 2 miles Start from just $98 Yes. (confirm shuttle hours)
Quality Inn & Suites Airport West Approx. 2 miles Prices start from $80 Yes. (confirm shuttle hours)

Hub Airline: Delta Air Lines at SLC

Delta is the hub airline at SLC. The hub is the legacy of Delta's merger with Western Airlines in 1987, and today Delta flies more planes in the area than all other airlines combined. It has a lease, which ensures the hub will remain in SLC until at least 2044.

Hub Airline Delta Air Lines at SLC

Concourse A is the main home of Delta and has a block of gates in Concourse B, from which long-haul flights to Amsterdam, London, and Paris usually depart.

Delta Sky Club, Concourse A: The original club is on the second floor, around the corner from Starbucks, Delta Sky Club. It is open every day from approximately 4:45 AM until 11:15 PM and features a covered outdoor sky deck with a view of the Wasatch range and a 360-degree fireplace.

Delta Sky Club, Concourse B: Delta Sky Club is located near the Ally the Allosaurus dinosaur display and will open with approximately 34,000 square feet and a capacity for approximately 600 guests, making it the second largest in Delta's Sky Club network. It is open daily from about 5:45 AM to 10:30 PM. Access will be according to Delta's Sky Club rules; please check your membership, card, or cabin first.

Airport Facilities and Passenger Services

Parking

Getting to Salt Lake City Airport parking is easy; there's a garage and Lot E near the airport terminal as well as an economy lot where you can park for a low cost, and it offers a free 24-hour shuttle service. The following table shows the updated rate (since July 1, 2026), which is valid for 24 hours. 

Option Rate Notes
Premium Reserved Parking (Garage Level 2) $65 It is closest to the terminal and guarantees you the space.
Daily Garage Parking (Garage Levels 2 and 3) $45 It is located just a short walk from the main terminal.
Hourly Garage Parking (Garage Level 2-5) $45 It sits directly adjacent to the main terminal.
Lot E $25 It is uncovered parking space located across from the main terminal.
Long-Term Economy Parking $14 It is the cheapest parking option at the airport, with a free shuttle available.

To park your car for short-term, use the hourly garage and Lot E, where it costs only $5/hour. Additionally, there are EV charging ports installed in Lot E, the economy garage, and the garage parking. 

Check-In Help

Curbside check-in is done by Skycaps. Delta is available on the west end of the departure roadway, and American and Southwest are on the east end. In addition, Delta, Southwest, and United offer express check-in at the gateway center, which leads to the second level of the terminal via two bridges.

Lost and Found

If you have lost your item in the public area at the airport, you can connect directly with the Salt Lake City Airport lost and found department for assistance. 

Lost and Found Salt Lake City Airport
  • Location: Move to the third level of the terminal and locate Airport Lost & Found in the office area, which is just behind the ticket counters of Southwest Airlines. 

  • Hours of operations: It runs from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. 

  • Email: Airport.LostFound@slc.gov 

If you have left the item in the plane or at the airline’s lounge, please contact the lost and found of the specific airline. Similarly, if you left your item at the security checkpoint, you need to reach the TSA for help. 

Other Useful Services

  • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport. Join the SLCAirport.wifi network and accept the terms.

  • Accessibility: Assistance is available with wheelchair service, which is provided by your airline, and by calling the airline's 0 on any paging phone or 801-575-2401. For travelers with disabilities, TSA Cares can assist you in the security line: 1-855-787-2227.

  • Information desk: It is located on the second level across from the baggage claim. 

  • Animal relief: There are three relief areas located inside the terminal near the gates A9, A34, and B20. And then there is one more outside on the west side of the terminal. 

  • Mother’s rooms & Infant Care: Most women’s washrooms are equipped with private mother’s rooms. And there are also diaper changing tables available in both men’s and women’s washrooms. 

  • Luggage help: Luggage pickup, delivery and storage made easy with Bringit Travel. There is a terminal and garage where luggage carts are available.

  • Mail return: Mailsafe Express drop boxes are located at the TSA checkpoint where you will be able to drop off items that you can't take through security.

  • USO: A lounge for military personnels and their family members. It is located inside Concourse A next to the Johnston & Murphy store and remains open from 6am to 10pm daily.  

  • Water refills: You will find the water refill stations are placed throughout the both concourses. 

Good to Know: Pro Tips

  • Beat the garage rush: Garages fill quickly with business travelers during mid-weeks. So, make sure to reserve your spot in advance or move to the economy lot. 

  • Plan for A-to-B walks: If you land at one concourse and have connecting flight from another, make sure to add 15 minutes of walking to your travel time. 

  • Drink water: SLC is located 4,200 feet above sea level, so you must keep yourself hydrated while you are at the airport. 

  • Use your layover: Use the TRAX; it will drop you to Temple Square in just 20 minutes. If you have a layover of 4 to 6 hours, you can actually plan a short trip to the city. 

  • Download the airport app: Open the app and confirm the gate changes, security wait times, and dining hours. It makes the navigation easy at the airport. 

  • Use the moving walkways: The two oncourses are connected through a tunnel with moving walkways. Use the walkway to breeze your movement. 

  • Charge before you board: There are many gates that have outlets. Clear the security and get a seat to charge your mobile phone. 

  • Pick the right garage level: Take a photo of the garage and the parking spot or note down the details on your phone, as parking is large at the airport and easy for you to forget after a long trip. 

  • Check live information: Verify the details, such as the gate, concourse, and boarding time, at the airport’s live page before leaving home. 

Conclusion 

It's one of the largest overhauls in American aviation, and it shows at Salt Lake City International Airport. Featuring over 100 shops and restaurants, the Centurion Lounge, the 94 gates, and 2 Delta Sky Clubs, SLC is walkable, fun to linger in, and packed with local fun. Choose the appropriate concourse for your airline, have a meal after security, and reserve your first cup of coffee for the Concourse A Plaza.

When going to the mountains, keep in mind that this is also the ski entry point to Utah. I hope that with some planning ahead, your next time in SLC will be a little easier, whether it's from the Delta hub or planning a Utah trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

You must arrive at least 2 hours before a domestic and 3 hours before an international flight to have enough time for security and check-in.

A walk from Concourse A to Concourse B can easily take 8 to 10 minutes without moving walkways. The distance between the concourses is 2,130 feet.

The per-day parking rate at SLC Airport depends on your parking choice. The parking cost ranges between $14 and $65. The hourly rate at Lot E and the economy lot is just $5 for an hour.

Salt Lake City Airport offers burgers, pizza, Asian cuisine, Vietnamese dishes, coffee, and bakeries. Popular options include Shake Shack, P.F. Chang’s, California Pizza Kitchen, and Starbucks.

Yes, you can find the American Express Centurion Lounge inside Concourse B near gate B31.

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