Despite our location in a mountain valley, hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, Salt Lake City is a global gateway thanks to the impressive Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Nonstop service is available to Canada, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and South Korea (as of June 2025), with more to come. The SLC airport provides visitors with a warm welcome, local fare, and a lasting great impression.
The SLC airport is well-connected to downtown via the TRAX light rail system or a quick 10 minute car ride. For those who love the outdoors, SLC is in a prime location. Within an hour of stepping off the plane, you could be skiing at one of 10 world-class resorts or hiking in the foothills of the Wasatch. A few more hours of driving and you can reach one of the five iconic national parks here in Utah, making SLC the ideal starting point for your outdoor adventures.
Having lived in New York City, San Francisco, and Hong Kong, I can say that Salt Lake City International Airport stands shoulder to shoulder with, if not surpasses, some of the world’s most renowned airports. The airport offers convenient options for parking, it’s easy to navigate, and security lines move quickly. As long as you arrive on time for your flight, the entire experience feels calm, efficient, and modernized. A pilot friend of mine assures me that the SLC airport has a reputation for being especially clean and safe.
SLC Stats:
- 23rd busiest airport in North America
- 86th busiest in the world
- Over 330 daily flights to nearly 100 nonstop destinations.
- A primary hub for Delta Airlines, which handles about 70% of the airport’s traffic.
- The airport set a record by serving 28 million passengers in 2024, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year.
“The New SLC”
The transformation of Salt Lake City International Airport into a modern marvel is nothing short of extraordinary. Over the last decade, Salt Lake City Airport has undertaken one of the most ambitious overhauls in the country: a $5.1 billion project known as “The New SLC.” It is a bold statement to show that SLC is ready for travelers from around the world–a critical piece of infrastructure for the 2034 Winter Olympics.
Construction began in 2014 and has been phased carefully to keep the airport open throughout the transformation. Phase 1 opened in September 2020, bringing in a sleek new central terminal and two brand-new concourses. Phase 2 and 3 came online in 2023 and 2024, expanding the number of gates and unveiling one of the most unique airport tunnels in the country—a 1,175-ft pedestrian passage with an immersive light-and-sound art installation called The River Tunnel. There’s also a new Concourse B Plaza, full of local dining options, public art, and even a full-sized replica of an Allosaurus skeleton.
Phase 4 is currently underway, with 16 more gates being built on Concourse B. By 2026, the project will be fully complete, totaling 94 gates and offering far more capacity than before. SLC intentionally built massive corridors, large gate areas and wider taxiways to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777, which are used for long-haul international routes and future passenger growth. It is all part of a strategy to position SLC as a world-class, scalable international hub.
Art, Design, & Vendors That Reflect Utah’s Spirit
Beyond the physical space, what makes “The New SLC” remarkable is how much it reflects Utah itself. Every aspect of the design was thoughtfully centered around this particular place—glass walls frame mountain views, stone finishes were inspired by Utah’s national parks, and huge art pieces like The Canyon, Summer & Autumn in Utah and Northern Light bring the natural world indoors. The airport commissioned Utah artists and made the deliberate choice to highlight Utah-based chefs, restaurants, and retailers. Travelers can grab a pastry from Gourmandise, sit down for a locally brewed pint from Roosters Brewing, enjoy a nice meal from White Horse Spirits & Kitchen or find a unique gift from the Natural History Museum of Utah store. Future phases will include vendors like Swig, Cotopaxi, Moab Brewery, Monarca and Aubergine Kitchen. By choosing Utah chefs, makers, and brands, the airport is a reflection of the community, proudly welcoming the world through its own front door.
Sketch by Holli Yoho
Considering a Move to Salt Lake City?
If you’re considering a move, one of Salt Lake City’s most underrated advantages is the exceptional convenience of its international airport. Just 10 to 15 minutes from downtown, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) offers quick and easy access to the rest of the country—and increasingly, the world. With regular nonstop flights to major business hubs like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago, as well as international destinations including London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Seoul (coming in June 2025), you’re never far from where you need to be.
Catherine Chen is a Realtor with Niche Homes. Her background in finance and investing give her the business savvy needed to complete any transaction. Give her a call if you’re interested in advancing your real estate goals.
