Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the largest and busiest airport in the State of Utah and a major hub for Delta Air Lines. Over the past decade, the airport has seen growth in passenger numbers, with total passenger traffic surpassing 26 million in 2019. In 2020, the airport opened a brand-new terminal consisting of two concourses (A and B) that are separated by an underground tunnel with a moving walkway.
Airlines & Terminals
I have compiled a list of airlines and their associated concourses for you here. Please check with your airline for the most up-to-date information on concourses and gate assignments.
- Concourse A — Delta Air Lines
- Concourse B — Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines
Passengers arriving to or departing from Concourse B will be in for a long walk or roll — perhaps up to a mile or more, depending on your drop-off point. Concourse B is connected to Concourse A by an underground tunnel with a series of moving walkways. Wheelchair users are not supposed to use the moving walkway, but I did to conserve my wheelchair’s battery power.
For domestic flights, it is recommended that passengers with disabilities check-in two hours prior to departure. For international flights, please arrive three hours prior to departure.
Accessible Bathrooms at SLC Airport
Accessible bathroom facilities are provided throughout the airport terminal and in both concourses.
Accessible toilets stalls in the gender separated bathrooms comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, with space to park a wheelchair alongside the toilet and grab bars. Additional features, such as a vertical grab bar, coat hooks and shelf for storing small items are also provided.
Family and companion care restrooms are also provided adjacent to each of the gender specific facilities. These private facilities include an accessible toilet, sink and baby changing table. There are unfortunately no adult changing tables at the new Salt Lake City Airport.
Service Animal Relief Stations at SLC Airport
Service animal relief areas are provided both inside and outside of the airport.
The relief stations inside of the airport are located inside the secure area, on Concourse A near gate A9 and on Concourse B near gate B20. They feature an astroturf grass-like surface and a fire hydrant. There is a sink provided in each of the terminal facilities.
An additional relief station is located outside the terminal, near the taxi stand at bollard 9A. This area features both artificial grass and stone surfaces, along with waste bags and a bin.
Special Assistance Services & Accessibility at Salt Lake City Airport
Disability assistance services should be requested prior to travel and through your airline. Consult this list of wheelchair assistance contacts at major airlines. If you are traveling with a personal wheelchair, it is possible to gate-check the device, whether it is manual or powered.
More information on accessibility and disability assistance is available on the Salt Lake City Airport website.
Wheelchair accessible transportation to/from SLC Airport
Getting to and from the Salt Lake City Airport is easy if utilizing public transportation, but the lack of wheelchair accessible private transportation is problematic.
Public Transportation
The most affordable option is public transit, with the Green Line of the Utah TRAX Light Rail being wheelchair accessible. The train connects the airport with downtown Salt Lake City in about 20 minutes and fares are only $2.50 each way, or $1.25 for seniors. The airport providers a bus connection between the TRAX station and airport terminal. In the future, there are plans to bring the train directly to the terminal.
Wheelchair Taxis and Shuttles
Because there are no true wheelchair taxis in Salt Lake City, accessible private transportation should be arranged in advance through one of the city’s accessible transportation providers.
For the best deal on semi-private transportation, book a shared ride through Express Shuttle Utah, which offers transfers between the airport and downtown hotels for just $13. Although the company doesn’t have wheelchair accessible vehicles of its own, it will contract your ride out to an accessible transportation provider. Be sure to book your ride in advance and notify the company of your accessibility need for the best result.
Salt Lake City Hotels with ADA Shuttles
The majority of hotels offering airport shuttle service to/from SLC Airport do not have wheelchair accessible vehicles, but three hotels do share an ADA accessible shuttle van. Those hotels are the Courtyard by Marriott Salt Lake City Airport, Residence Inn by Marriott Salt Lake City Airport and Hyatt Place Salt Lake City Airport.
The shuttle has a wheelchair lift and wheelchair securement straps, and was able to quickly transport me to the Courtyard hotel after the hotel I originally reserved (Four Points by Sheraton) was unable to accommodate me and my wheelchair.
Hot Take
Salt Lake City International Airport is a hub for a major U.S. airline and it should demand that all local transportation providers comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
