Salt Lake City International Airport Named Best in U.S. by Travel + Leisure

(SALT LAKE CITY) Salt Lake City International Airport has been named the best airport in the United States by Travel + Leisure, with the award announced on August 15, 2025. The magazine cited strong on-time performance, steady customer satisfaction scores, and better food and retail options as key reasons for the top spot. The honor caps more than a decade of work on a $5.2 billion redesign that is reshaping the airport’s layout, flow, and passenger experience.

The recognition comes as the airport’s multi-phase rebuild heads into its final stretch. A central goal has been to handle growth while keeping things simple for travelers. Major construction began in the early 2010s and has stayed on schedule through a pandemic, supply chain stress, and even an earthquake.

The project team includes Holder Construction and Big-D Construction on core elements, with Austin Commercial and Okland building out Concourse B. The program’s early vision was led by Mike Williams, who died in 2025; Brian Stetson now directs the program and says the delivery plan remains on track.

Progress and Recent Openings

Salt Lake City International Airport, owned and run by the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, has already logged major progress.

• In October 2024, the airport opened the Central Tunnel and five new gates on Concourse B, removing the need for bus-to-plane “hardstand” operations.
• The final phase, set to finish in 2026, will add 16 more gates to Concourse B, bringing the system to 94 gates.
• City leaders, including Mayor Erin Mendenhall, have emphasized sustainability and access as core values of the rebuild.

Operations, Traffic, and Capacity

Operations have expanded with the new space and infrastructure.

• According to VisaVerge.com analysis, SLC now offers 321 average daily departures and arrivals to 92 nonstop destinations, served by 13 airlines.
• Delta Air Lines continues to anchor the hub, while other carriers are expanding seasonal and niche routes.
• In 2023 the airport hit a record 26.9 million passengers, and traffic in 2025 is expected to pass 27 million.
• The airport projects enplanements—passengers boarding flights—to rise about 2.9% in FY25, to 14.5 million.

Travel + Leisure and other industry surveys point to a mix of reliability and comfort behind the win. The design reduces long walks and bottlenecks by spreading out checkpoints and widening corridors. New eateries and local brands help the large halls feel less anonymous. Flight data trends also show steady on-time rates, which matter as airlines face crew and aircraft shortages across the country.

Sustainability efforts include Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation and a goal of LEED Gold for the new terminal.

Key takeaway: Design choices that reduce walking distance, ease congestion, and add localized retail contribute as much to passenger satisfaction as on-time performance.

Redevelopment Milestones

• 2024: Central Tunnel opens; five new Concourse B gates debut in October.
• 2025: Final construction phase moves forward with more gates and utility upgrades.
• 2026: Major construction completes; total capacity reaches 94 gates.
• 2027: Final paving and punch-list work conclude the program.

Financial and Program Management

The financial picture reflects growth and rising costs as new space comes online.

• The FY25 budget shows higher operating and maintenance costs but also increased revenue from rising passenger numbers and stronger concessions.
• Federal support through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants continues to back key projects, allowing planners to stay on schedule without cutting scope.

Construction teams kept the program moving despite disruptions: pandemic-era constraints, supply delays, and a regional earthquake all tested the schedule, but managers adjusted plans to avoid long closures of active areas.

Local Appeal and Economic Impact

Salt Lake City International Airport’s location is a major draw.

• The airfield is close to downtown and within reach of 11 major ski resorts, making it popular with winter travelers and families.
• Summer travel has climbed thanks to national parks and lake destinations.
• For airlines, the rebuild provides more dual-use gates, improved taxiways, and space for larger aircraft—reducing delays at turn times and helping to keep tight connections on schedule.

Stakeholders emphasize that the payoff extends beyond traveler comfort. The airport functions as a major economic engine for Utah and the Intermountain West, supporting tourism, trade shows, and business travel. City officials also prioritized language access and physical accessibility, aiming to serve international visitors, families with young children, and travelers with disabilities.

Sustainability and Resilience

Sustainability goals are woven through the project:

• Energy-efficient systems and daylighting to reduce power use.
• Seismic resilience designed to meet high regional standards.
• Efforts to secure LEED Gold certification for the new terminal.

Construction managers repeatedly adjusted plans to handle supply delays without forcing long closures, allowing new sections to open while keeping passenger flow steady.

Practical Notes for International Arrivals

While most traffic at SLC is domestic, international travel is growing. Arriving passengers clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the airport.

• Travelers should review CBP port hours and contact information at: https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/salt-lake-city
• The airport and city are investing in better wayfinding and translation across terminals to support international visitors.

Community Input and Design Response

Community input shaped much of the final design. The airport’s master plan involved dozens of public and stakeholder meetings over many years, logging thousands of planning hours.

Residents asked for:
– Simpler connections
– More natural light
– Local flavors in concessions

The program responded with a clearer layout and a mix of national and Utah-based vendors.

What Travelers Can Expect Next

Officials stress that the Travel + Leisure award is a milestone, not the finish line. By late 2026, with all 94 gates open, planners expect:

• Continued growth in daily departures
• More regional connections
• Additional energy-saving upgrades

The layout was built to allow future expansion—extra gates or new facilities can be added if demand requires them.

Travelers can expect:
– More art and seating near gates
– Faster security at peak times
– Improved access to open gates during irregular operations, reducing knock-on delays

For local families and travelers, clearer signage and smoother flows should make arrivals and departures less stressful.

Travel + Leisure’s top ranking positions Salt Lake City International Airport as a model for rebuilding a major hub without losing sight of the basics: punctual flights, clean spaces, friendly staff, and useful places to eat and shop. It also illustrates a broader point for U.S. aviation: airports with stable funding, steady leadership, and forward planning can deliver a better trip as demand returns.