If you’re feeling worried about an upcoming short layover at the Salt Lake City International Airport, don’t be. Thanks to how efficient the new terminal design is, minimum connection times at SLC are far lower than what they used to be.
- Realistically, connection times can be as low as 35 minutes if you’re going from one domestic flight to another.
- Add an additional 20 minutes if you’re connecting to a international flight.
- You’ll probably want at least an hour and 10 minutes coming from a international flight to a domestic flight.
Navigating through the Salt Lake City Airport is a piece of cake. If you don’t believe me, keep reading, and I promise it’ll make you feel better about that tight connection you have coming up…
What is the minimum connection time for domestic flights at SLC?
35 minute connection times aren’t realistic at many airports, but they are at SLC. Even though the Salt Lake City Airport consists of two large main concourses, the wide open spaces and moving walkways makes short domestic flight connections extremely easy.
While I don’t recommend booking an itinerary with a connection that tight, just know that you shouldn’t have much of a problem getting to your connecting gate within minutes.
Assuming you’re flying the same airline (or partner airlines), the chances of having to run across the entire airport to make your connection are slim. Most likely, you’re connecting flight will be in the general visitaty of your arriving flight.
What is the minimum connection time for international flights at SLC?
Just as it is with pretty much any other major airport in the world, it’s hard to accurately estimate the minimum time you’ll need for a connection at SLC that involves an international flight. However, it becomes a little clearer if we look at each scenario individually:
Connecting FROM an international flight
Connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight will involve going through passport control and customs. You’re also going to have to retrieve and re-check your bags, all of which is going to add time. Personally, the minimum on amount of time that I would want for an international to domestic connection at Salt Lake City is an hour and 10 minutes.
The all new Salt Lake City Airport is state-of-the-art and was designed from the ground up for maximum efficiency. It’s a massive airport that isn’t as busy as some of the other major hub airports in the US, so you won’t have much difficulty moving through it relatively quickly.
Connecting To an international flight
Plan on a minimum of 55 minutes for a domestic to international connection at SLC. In all honesty, you’re probably not going to need that much time, but it’s a safe estimate considering that you’ll need to be on board the plane earlier than you would for a domestic flight.
Note that there is no designated international terminal at SLC. Your international connecting flight will likely be grouped together (somewhat close) to your arriving flight – assuming you’re flying Delta.
A brief overview of the terminal layout at the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Imagine my surprise when I landed at the Salt Lake City International Airport in February 2021 (after finishing up a fun Delta A220-300 economy review) to find an all new airport. I’ve flown through SLC many times over the years, and I had no idea that they had demolished the old building and replaced it with one of the best airport terminals in the world.
BTW, if you’re curious to know what the old terminal used to be like, do be sure to read my review of Delta 737-800 first class from SLC to SAN in December of 2015.
The Salt Lake City Airport consists of one main terminal building divided up into two separate concourses (A and B). These concourses are connected via an underground walkway, and you will not need to pass through additional security checkpoints to move from one to the other.
There are plans to expand these concourses as time goes on, but the good news is that all the proposal so far seem to hint at the idea of extending the concourses that are already in place.
The reason why short connection times are ok at SLC
As I alluded to earlier, short connection times are easy at SLC due to how expansive and wide open the main concourses are. This is not the same crowded, cramped, and dark Salt Lake City International Airport you remember from the early 2000s. There’s room to run (if you need to).
Another thing that makes short connection times SLC possible is the abundance of moving walkways throughout the entire airport. I haven’t done it, but I’m guessing that would be fairly easy to get from one end of the airport to the other in less than 100 steps.
Finally, the fact that all gates can be reached without having to go through additional security checkpoints makes things so much easier. There’s only one security checkpoint at SLC, and that is located at the entrance of Concourse A.
Travel time between all terminals at SLC
Getting from one end of Concourse A to the far end of Concourse B at SLC takes a lot less time than you might think it would. On paper, this seems like a really big airport. In real life, it’s actually a very well-designed terminal which allows for brisk walking (and running if necessary).
From West end of Concourse A (gates A1-A16) to:
- East end of Concourse A (gates A15-A25): 7 minutes
- West end of Concourse B (gates B1-B8): 10 minutes
- East end of Concourse B (gates B9-B-24): 10 minutes
From East end of Concourse A (gates A15-A25) to:
- West end of Concourse A (gates A1-A16): 7 minutes
- West end of Concourse B (gates B1-B8): 10 minutes
- East end of Concourse B (gates B9-B-24): 10 minutes
From West end of Concourse B (gates B1-B8) to:
- West end of Concourse A (gates A1-A16): 10 minutes
- East end of Concourse A (gates A15-A25): 10 minutes
- East end of Concourse B (gates B9-B-24): 6 minutes
From East end of Concourse B (gates B9-B24) to:
- West end of Concourse A (gates A1-A16): 10 minutes
- East end of Concourse A (gates A15-A25): 10 minutes
- Wast end of Concourse B (gates B1-B8): 6 minutes
As always, you’re going to need to add a few minutes to these time estimates if you’re a slow walker. Note that there are a lot of great restaurants located all throughout the airport, so adding a few extra minutes to indulge is perfectly acceptable. I won’t judge you for it.
What is the ideal connection time at SLC?
Now that you know what the absolute minimum connection times are for all scenarios at the Salt Lake City Airport, it might be helpful to let you know what my opinions are for the time required for a “no stress” connection at SLC. I mean, yeah, while 35 minute connection times are indeed possible at this airport, it’s not going to be very fun. Here’s what I would prefer:
Domestic to domestic connections
I recently had a 50 minute domestic to domestic connection at SLC, and to be honest, it was absolutely perfect. It was short enough that I didn’t have to wait very long for my next flight, but long enough to make it feel like I wasn’t being rushed.
Domestic to international connections
I think an hour and a half would be good for a no-stress domestic to international connection at SLC. No, you won’t need to go through any additional security checks before boarding the plane, but you will need to be on that plane earlier than you would for a domestic flight.
If you want to have enough time to get something to eat before that international connection, two hours would be plenty.
International to domestic connections
Given how efficient the Salt Lake City International Airport is, two hours is the minimum amount of time that I would need to feel comfortable making an international to domestic connection.
I’m all about having as little stress as possible when I travel, so if I’m feeling especially paranoid, three hours would be enough to put my mind at ease.
Tips for making really short connections at SLC
The most important thing you need to know about SLC connection times is that you’re most likely going to need far less time than you think.
The last time I connected through SLC, I had a 50 minute connection, and it was more than enough. If you’ve got a connection shorter than that, here are a handful of tips that will help you not only to move through this airport as quickly as possible, but to help put your mind at ease as well:
- If it all possible, try to book flights on the same airline. Not having to change airlines will almost always guarantee less walking time from gate to gate.
- Take advantage of the moving walkways (they’re everywhere) – and don’t be afraid to get aggressive when trying to get around people who stand in the middle of them blocking the flow. You’ve got a plane to catch!
- If you’re flying Delta, rest assured that the gate agents for your connecting flight will be very aware of your tight connection. They know which flights connecting passengers are coming from, and they will be alerted to any flights that are arriving late. In some instances, they will hold the closure of the flight until all connecting passengers arrive.
Monty
This is just breathtakingly wrong.
From B to A is a minimum of 1,200 feet, a little over half is moving sidewalk. That’s the closest B to the closest A.
B to the lounge is over half a mile of walking, again with just a little over half of that on moving walkways.
SLC is the worst
Scott (SANspotter)
Well, as I wrote, those time estimates are from my own experience based on walking at a fairly brisk pace. It will take longer for anyone who walks slow, but it is possible to get through SLC relatively quickly despite the distances between gates / concourses. I actually like the new terminal though – it’s much better than it used to be!
Petra
I will be traveling from SMF – SLC – AMS. Delta just changed my first flight and the connection in SLC is now 55 min to get from domestic to an international flight. Flight to Amsterdam is operated by KLM. Delta said I can make it on time. Do I have to go through customs or security or just run to my gate with 2 kids ( they are 6 and they are fast).
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Petra – the Delta representative you spoke to is correct. You’ll have plenty of time to make your connection, because it’ll simply be a matter of walking from one gate to the next. You won’t have to go through customs or security. Have a great trip!
JJ
Hi – my husband and I just had this same concern after realising out connection from SLC to Cancun, MX is around 49 minutes. We didn’t realise how short the connection was. Our concern is less with the walking between gates (we’re both raised in big international cities, we can sprint!), but more with the time it will take to get off of our first plane, and then factoring in the gate closure 15 mins before departure, that won’t leave us with a lot of time in between. We haven’t spoken to anyone from Delta yet, as only realised this now. Do we think this will be ok?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi JJ – 49 minutes is going to be tight for sure, but you’ll be fine as long as your inbound flight is on time (or close to it).
The new Delta terminal at SLC is very easy to move through quickly. There are moving walkways everywhere, and it won’t take long to get from one end to the other if you hustle.
You’ll make it!
Susan Bame
This is total bullshit. I just took a trip to Phoenix from Southern Oregon, and our flight back stopped in Salt Lake City. We barely had 30 minutes after landing in Salt Lake City to get to our flight back to Southern Oregon, and we had to get from one end of the airport to the opposite end. None of us had been there before and didn’t know what we were in for. I had to stop and use a bathroom on the way to the Delta flight home, and then figure out where the B terminal was. THE UP ESCALATOR DID NOT WORK, forcing our whole entourage — there were ten of us altogether — to CLIMB TWO FLIGHTS OF STAIRS while carrying my two pieces of luggage since the escalator was stuck and not moving. I thought I was going to die. I’m not exaggerating. As I arrived at the gate to get on the plane, they had just closed the doors, and I had to yell at them that I’m here, don’t leave without me. They let me on the flight. One in our party DID GET LEFT BEHIND because she missed seeing the signs for the B terminals and continued on to the A terminals.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Susan – this isn’t the first time that I’ve been told that I’m full of shit. 🙂 Seriously though, the escalators and moving walkways are critical for getting from one end to SLC to another in a timely manner. Bummer that you didn’t make it – but your comment will definitely be helpful to others who are facing a tight connection there soon.
Molly
Hi Scott, Not sure how we overlooked this one but we 38min layover in SLC arriving from Portland and departing to London. Im shocked we were even able to book such a tight connection. Both legs are with Delta. Are we totally screwed? 38min connection for an international flights sounds bad….My thought is the doors are already shut.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Molly! Yup, 38 minutes will be tight, but you won’t have any issues as long as your inbound flight is on time. Also, airlines tend to greatly exaggerate the boarding time cut off for international flights in my experience.
As long as they know they have passengers coming from connecting flights, they’ll keep the door open.
I think you’ll be fine!
Marco
Changing planes with Delta at SLC is a disaster if your plane is a regional carrier, arriving at the end of the B Gates using a bus. Most connecting flights depart from terminal A. I had to take the stairs to get off the plane, use a bus who drove very slow to the end of the B gates where I had to climb a lot of stairs to get from the tarmac into the terminal.
Once inside the terminal B I had to walk about 1200 feet (moving escalators) all the way to the center of the terminal where an escalator took me into a tunnel in which I had to walk (moving escalators) the 1200 feet to the end of the tunnel where I had to take the escalator up into terminal A where I had to walk another 800 feet to get to the gate.
I am in good shape, but this was over the top.
The return flight was even worse. I arrived on an international flight and had to clear immigration and customs before doing the entire route back to to the end of the B gates. At the Delta Sky Lounge they advise passengers who are departing from the B gates to exit the lounge at least one hour before departure.
For my next international flight with Delta, I booked via LAX. A pity because SLC is a very nice airport.
Sam
Hi, I am looking at Delta from SJC to CDG via SLC with 55 min layover. It’s a domestic to international transfer. Where do I clear immigration? At SJC or SLC and will that be enough time if we have to go through custom? Thanks.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sam – you won’t have to clear customs or immigration at either SJC or SLC. That will only happen when you arrive in Paris.
You won’t even have to go through security at SLC, so 55 minutes is going to be plenty of time. have a great trip!
Lynn
How efficient is passport control and customs at SLC? Do they tend to move people through pretty quick? We are arriving from London and going on to Portland on a Sunday evening around 5 pm. When I booked the flight we had a 2 hour 40 minute layover in SLC. A couple of flight changes reduced that to 1 hour 23 minutes. Both flights are Delta. Seriously thinking about doing carryon only so we don’t have to wait for our luggage and then recheck after customs to save some time.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lynn – I haven’t heard any horror stories about customs and immigration had SLC recently, so you’re more than likely going to be OK. It’s a smaller airport handling a relatively low number of international travelers on a daily basis – I find it to be far more efficient compared to other major airports.
Definitely go carry-on only if you can! That will save you a lot of time.
JNSD
Okay, having just traveled LGB-SLC-LGB over the New Year on Southwest, I can confirm that if you are not flying Delta to SLC, you definitely have an inferior experience. Yes, the walk to Terminal B from parking or rental car is very long – even worse if you’re traveling with kids or a lot of bags and need to use the elevators. That said, the food choices and general ambiance at both terminals are very, very good. Although I really don’t think SLC needed a new airport (demand did not justify it), I think overall it’s very impressive.
Scott (SANspotter)
Thanks for the update! Yeah, it’s very easy to imagine that flying any airline other than Delta through SLC will be a bit of a hassle. The Delta gates are nice though – and I’ll bet the scenery was beautiful this time of year!
Mallory
Traveling from CVG to SLC through to SAN this October, all via Delta, packing carry-on only. Our connection time in SLC is 32 minutes after a schedule change by Delta (it was 55 mins). Is this reasonable in your opinion? Should we call delta to see about rebooking for a more lenient connection time?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mallory – although 32 minutes is a completely valid connection at SLC, I would definitely recommend trying to switch to a flight with a longer connection time if you can.
You’ll have no problem making it if your flight from CVG arrives on time. But if it doesn’t? Even if it’s 10 minutes late, you’re probably not going to make it. In that case, you’ll automatically be rebooked onto an alternate flight.
That said – it won’t be difficult for them to get you to San Diego if you miss your original connection IMHO.