Delta’s footprint at Salt Lake City International Airport continues to grow with the opening of 13 new gates on Concourse A, finishing off the gleaming 900,000-square-foot facility that first welcomed customers in September 2020. All flights operating from Concourse A will now board and deplane via jet bridges, eliminating bus operations to remote hardstands. 

“The completion of Concourse A comes just ahead of what we anticipate will be a busy holiday and ski travel season,” said Adam Ryan, Managing Director of Delta’s SLC Operations. “It’s a privilege for the 5,400 Delta employees here in Salt Lake City to share this state-of-the-art facility with our customers as we continue to provide them with the elevated experience they have come to expect from Delta.” 

In partnership with the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, the finished eastern portion of Concourse A features 22 gates – nine of which opened earlier this summer – bringing the airlines’ gate total to 50 at SLC. This expansion also includes a new Delta Need Help Center for customers looking for travel assistance, as well as 19 new restaurants and shops for customers to enjoy.  

Delta expands Salt Lake City hub presence with opening of new gates

This summer, Delta will operate more than 230 peak-day flights from Salt Lake City to nearly 90 destinations across the globe, with added frequencies to Austin, Charlotte, Nashville, Philadelphia and more.

“These new gates and amenities will further elevate the guest experience at the Salt Lake City International Airport for Salt Lakers and visitors from all over the world,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Salt Lake City is proud to be a Delta hub in the West and home to one of the top performing airports in the world. The completion of this expansion will provide efficient services and modern facilities for travelers who are eager for a seamless journey.” 

Delta operates more flights out of SLC than any other airline combined, serving close to 30,000 customers daily with 237 peak-day flights to 88 destinations in Fall 2023. The airline has invested more than $12 billion in airport projects coast-to-coast in the last 10 years, doubling down on its vision for the future of travel by building airports that are comfortable, easy to navigate and part of an effortlessly connected journey. 

Earlier this year, Delta further cemented its position as the leading global carrier in SLC with a new lease agreement with Salt Lake City that increases Delta’s gate count from 55 to 66, with an anticipated completion in 2027. In June, Delta also broke ground in Salt Lake City on a new pilot training facility, marking the first training facility investment outside of its Atlanta headquarters since 1968. 

Delta’s investment in Salt Lake City grows with new pilot training facility 

Located next to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), this 47,000-square-foot facility marks the next chapter of Delta’s investment in its 5,400 employees and customers in Utah.

Delta’s deep community footprint in Salt Lake City is evidenced by more than a dozen partnerships with local organizations. Alongside the start of the Utah Jazz regular season, last week marked the official return of the Delta Center to Salt Lake City since the naming rights partnership between the Jazz and Delta Air Lines was made official in July.  

Delta Air Lines has made this announcement:

• The new 900,000-square-foot Concourse A houses 78 gates 
• Our largest-ever Delta Sky Club includes an outdoor Sky Deck 

• The airport will deliver $5.5 billion in estimated economic impact to the Salt Lake City region 

Delta Flight 2020 departed for Atlanta from Salt Lake City International Airport’s stunning new Concourse A Tuesday, marking the official first flight in Delta’s new home in this core hub after a decade of partnership in planning, design and construction to deliver the first U.S. global aviation hub of the 21st century.

“I want to congratulate the Salt Lake City leadership for their vision and partnership in creating this iconic new air travel experience,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “On behalf of Delta’s global workforce, and the more than 4,000 employees based in SLC, we look forward to welcoming and serving our customers traveling to, from and through the Mountain West region.”

The new SLC includes convenient amenities designed to enhance the overall travel experience. From a more efficient baggage-handling system that accommodates luggage of all sizes and shapes so skis don’t  need to be dropped off at a special counter to a state-of-the-art parking garage with a mobile app service to remind passengers where they parked their car, the new SLC was designed with today’s traveler in mind.

As a mid-sized hub connected to global destinations, the new Salt Lake City airport will remain an important part of Delta’s overall network strategy as the airline recovers from the global pandemic. Delta’s involvement in the completion of this airport, coupled with the airline’s extension of its current lease through 2034, stands as a testament to the relationship between Delta, the state of Utah and the airport.

“This day has been years in the making,” said Bill Wyatt, Executive Director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports. “To say we are excited to be here today is an understatement. After six years of construction and many more years of planning, we are proud to open the first new U.S. hub airport in the 21st century.”

The new airport also boasts Delta’s newest and largest Delta Sky Club at 28,000 square feet. With a unique look inspired by the canyons and landscape of the region, the Club offers guests views of the Wasatch Range from the covered open-air Sky Deck and a 360-degree fireplace in the middle of the lounge on their journey through the Beehive State.

Investing in infrastructure 

Delta is investing more than $12 billion in airport projects that modernize the airline’s hub infrastructure and customer experience, including new construction at Los Angeles International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport in addition to the work in SLC.

Delta people have played key roles since day one in contributing to the new SLC, which opens on time and on budget.

Salt Lake City International Airport will remain an important part of Delta’s overall network strategy as the airline recovers from the global pandemic. Delta’s involvement in the completion of this airport, coupled with the airlines’ extension of its current lease through 2034, stands as a testament to the relationship among Delta, the airport, and the state of Utah.

“For the past 60 years, Delta has remained a steadfast, strategic partner to the Salt Lake City International Airport and today, we are gathered to celebrate the opening of the new gold standard for travelers coming to or through this great region that we’ve built together,” said Scott Santoro, Delta’s Vice President – Sales for the West Coast. “This incredible space is more than the largest new build in the Western United States for more than 25 years. It solidifies Delta as the airline of choice for passengers traveling to, from, and through Salt Lake for both business and leisure travel for years to come.”