The New SLC Design

The New SLC design is more than meets the eye. Hear Salt Lake City Department of Airports Executive Director Bill Wyatt explain the reasons behind the design and what is coming in Phase 2.

[@hjs521]

The phase 2 tunnel doesn't shorten the walk at all.

[@BSNCJLproductions]

That point is true depending upon to where your flight in Concourse B’s gates boards at.

[@robertspendlove7508]

Yes, a tram/subway/light rail/train/electric bus system should be used in the new tunnel. It's a simple point to point move, so move people as fast and smoothly as possible.

[@jayc222]

Transit is planned for the tunnel, but I don’t think it will be operational until they build the third concourse.

[@glennwalcott]

Even with phase 2 partly open now, walking from A to B is ridiculously far. Both time and for those who have a challenge walking but not enough to require nor wanting a wheelchair.

[@AJRich-pw1zm]

I get a small glimpse of how my ancestors felt walking across the plains.

[@tomallred9735]

How many rounds of "Pioneer Children sang as they walked" can you sing on your walk to your gate?

[@vensavage3991]

you should still incorporate a tram of some sort between the concourses. many modern airports have this because airlines regularly schedule short layover times and many customers are not olympic caliber athletes, and will not be able to make the transition from A to B by simply walking. Also I don't know how you have not been sued by anyone with a disability , having multiple short moving walkways does not make it easier to navigate the long distance between terminals/gates.

[@squrrll]

They are planning on it. The main tunnel under construction has lanes for trams

[@jameswest8280]

@@squrrll they need some kind of temporary service in the mean time.

[@JB-eg1tb]

Getting the planes in and out was the priority made when rebuilding this airport (per articles about this airport). Perhaps some day they will also consider the needs of those who will be riding those planes.

[@CARWASHCHANNEL.]

They added a tram / trains to the tunnels

[@pcl7588]

While the new tunnel has lanes for teams, the real question is will actual teams be installed as part of Phase 2, or will folks have to hike the tunnel until a Phase 3 comes to fruition? I can only hope you answer that a tr is being installed now! The access tunnel today is painful to navigate given the length and two short length moving walkways.

[@ersaviation3031]

Long overdue upgrade it was a like a time machine back to the 70s.

[@dark_winter8238]

For sure not designed for people. If it were you would have an entrance on the other side.

[@CAtheCreator]

Dropped my 81yo mom at the airport for a Southwest flight. We knew that SW is one of the farthest gates so went to the handicapped booth. It took them over 40 minutes to get her someone to take her in a wheelchair to the gate. She said the high school aged girl was lovely but the poor thing then had to sprint through security and the crazy length of the airport with a wheelchair, carry-on luggage and her CPAP machine. My mom arrived 2 hours early for her domestic flight and almost didn’t make it. I cannot figure out why they can’t use Disneyland style trams to shuttle people back and forth until the tunnel train is completed. Not just disabled but MOST people can’t do that trek with luggage, kids, etc.

[@drendebe10]

The imbecile mayor said people needed the exercise to walk.

[@intcreator]

the hand design was nice because no matter what terminal your flight was in it was never too far from the central hub that connected to all other terminals. making a bigger airport that only has two terminals out of an airport that used to be five terminals means the two terminals are gigantic and have way longer walking distances than the hand design. if we need to accommodate bigger plans with longer walking distances we also need to accommodate people (especially those with disabilities) with trains

[@nickc3864]

The new airport is horrible from the standpoint of somebody that has to fly here from within state to one of the satellite locations after which you have to wait for the entire plane to deplane before the shuttle departs to take you to the next phase where you hike up a long ramp in the freezing cold before you even get to start the trek described in this video... What makes is worse is most CDC and SGU flights have a tight 30-40 min layover. So for the last year and a half - I've been trying to fly American or United out of SGU as much as I can to avoid this catastrophe.

[@crazedc]

This airport was designed for planes, not people.

[@randymartinson61]

I understand the Airport layout but I do not understand why you do not have something for elderly people to get around Easy A lot of them cannot walk very far and as I said before there is no benches at the Rideshare pickup location people have to stand out in a hundred degree weather and wait for a ride it's not right get some benches out there

[@drendebe10]

Every aspect of the airport is not passenger friendly.

[@ersaviation3031]

They ought to put some of those flat escalator walk ways under there. It's not the best but it would be better until they get like a tram.

[@nutellafoxvideos7350]

@@ersaviation3031 The tunnel is full of them.

[@joyceg.7422]

Unfortunately, I have to fly out of SLC tomorrow. I hate this airport. Bad planning. You can forget gaving any lounge time.

[@AestheticsbyPatricia]

Here we are 2 years later and the walking is endless! Connecting flights at the complete opposite of the concourse. If you run really fast you might make the flight. The shops and restaurants are really nice but no time to enjoy any of it. 😢

[@hollycaley2389]

I know that phase 2 just opened and the tram is next but my concern is drop off and pick up areas!! The arrival and departure areas are so small. I moved to Utah so I didn’t have to wait in the horrible car lines at LAX for pick up and it looks like that is what is happening now at SLC. How much worse will it be once it’s running with all 3 phases going?!?!

[@pete84101]

When the eastern portion of concourse A is completed and with it the new tunnel to concourse B, will the tunnel that is currently in use be closed?

[@SLCIntlAirport]

Airport officials have not yet determined if the mid-concourse tunnel will remain open once the central tunnel is complete.

[@MySecretMusicPlace]

Will a tram be added in phase 2?

[@SLCIntlAirport]

@@MySecretMusicPlace The central tunnel that is being constructed as part of Phase 2 will be built to accommodate a train, however it has not yet been decided if the train will be added as part of Phase 2 or at a later date.

[@jameswest8280]

@@SLCIntlAirport you need to do something to accommodate people with disabilities and the elderly, right now the airport is unusable by 40% of the population. Now, not 5 or 10 years from now.

[@disneyonadime2298]

@@SLCIntlAirport If nothing else, there should be a fleet of golf carts in that insane tunnel circling non-stop. I have never witnessed such an outrage over a project with little to no immediate response. Take the $300 million that is being saved and put in a train.

[@ErictheHalf_bee]

The "missionary room" needs its own entrance from the concourse. Can't tell you how many times excited moms, grandparents, grand-nieces, eighth cousins and dogs can't stay in the greeting room and crowd the exit path instead. You can tell them to back up (and staff does, regularly), but you can't stop them from blocking the corridor from the current doorway.

[@danielsbrown61]

So, this really doesn't address the insane walking distance between A & B and how you plan to minimize the impact of that on travelers in terms of stress for families and time walking what feels like the breadth of the Great Salt Lake. It sounds like even when complete the project you'll still have to walk the full length of the tunnel to B. I hope you find a way to mitigate this obvious design flaw.

[@SuperMicroguy]

No, the tunnel will include moving conveyors for people. You may walk if you choose to.

[@Skier10]

The walk is abysmal for a newly designed airport

[@daveeastman1633]

SLC used to be one of the nicest, most passenger-friendly airports in the country. The new airport is a monstrosity.

[@janaehunt]

I've traveled through the new airport with children twice in the last year, and I will not do it again. We've planned to drive our next few vacations because riding in a car for 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 hours is better, and safer than experiencing the new airport. Yes, the walk is horrendous, but you know what's worse? The shuttle drop-off/pick-up area for off-site parking. We were nearly run over while walking from the shuttle drop-off area to the airport because you have to walk through the rental car parking garage to get to an elevator that takes you up to the bridge to get to the airport. It is horrible! I'd be happy to loan Bill Wyatt my 4 and 6 year olds for an afternoon so he can experience the pleasure of "The New SLC" as so many people do.

[@squrrll]

Something doesn't add up here. The off-site shuttles put you 10 feet away from the building, no bridges or crossings required at all. Was something closed the day you went?

[@sebastiannielson1952]

sounds like you are just weak. I make the walk twice a day every day of the week. LOL

[@MySecretMusicPlace]

When will Trax be extended to the new airport?

[@SLCIntlAirport]

UTA has said its TRAX station at the airport will be open in mid-late October.

[@jdetapia]

How far away from the terminal will Trax be?

[@jameswest8280]

@@jdetapia judging from the layout of the rest of the terminal, about 5 miles.

[@ediepike4390]

It is wonderful that getting to B concourse will have a shorter distance to walk, however if we want to be the best airport, we need a TRAIN. The major airports have trains to move people. Salt Lake airport is beautiful, but not functional, please, please get the train in ASAP. We have heard so many negative comments regarding the length of time to get from A to B. You need to get the train in NOW.

[@dsarmy1]

You should also build a third tunnel on the east concourse side.

[@BM-kj5xd]

Congrats on turning SLC into a sprint training course. Can’t tell you how many people I have seen running to make 30 minute or more connections. Add in the bus ride for the ‘lessor’ destinations airports in B20+ and you have a recipe for missed flights and jammed escalators. Not adding train system loop at A/B concourse level was huge oversight. Just no excuse as noted in so many other’s comments. You have 2 years to correct this oversight, make it happen!

[@drendebe10]

Designer of SLC is several sandwiches short of a picnic and could give two diarrhea schitz about elderly or those with lower extremity mobility issues.

[@darthbouncy]

So the pioneer trek will continue.

[@RonJohnston]

Just as someone mentioned other nice airports that are large have transportation. And you can get to the gate within a few minutes. I have multiple sclerosis and what a pleasure it was to go 2 Concourse B. And then when we returned the gates aren't completed yet so the plane parked and we deplaned and had to go on a bus, in a hundred degree weather. Unbelievable that anyone in the Press on here that has any connection with the airport they close their eyes to the problems. I think it's time to start over have new teams come in look at the problems and fix them. The silly basement system now could be used for a shuttle? We're actually flying out of Ogden to go to Southern California so we don't have to use the scary new airport in Salt Lake.

[@nutellafoxvideos7350]

Don't ever end up at Charles de Gaulle in France is a recommendation.

[@nathanstrain2158]

Why the reupload?

[@SLCIntlAirport]

Audio issues with the first version.

[@adamguymon7096]

No, it's because they don't want certain comments that have been posted on the old video which tells the truth about disability and accessibility? If you listen carefully they talk about how some locals are concerned about the distance between the concourses which they downplay as if it is not a big deal? They don't want to spend the money to properly put real accessibility in and they are willing to do this to the bare minim. The people overseeing the new airport don't want to use tax dollars because if they do use tax dollars they would have to follow ADA laws and they would have to spend more money in places they wouldn't have to spend money? This is why they are charging a few dollars over the ticket price to you the one flying in and out of the airport. The people in charge are being "ABLEST" and that is why because they don't want to appear like they are but they are.

[@MySecretMusicPlace]

This isn't taxpayer funded??? Wow...

[@adamguymon7096]

@@MySecretMusicPlace You pay for it out of your ticket. They did this on purpose.

[@islandboy9137]

Very inefficient when connecting from A to B gates..

[@ericbenedetti2188]

Had the "pleasure" of making our first flight in over a year and half just last month, our departure (and arrival at the end of the trip) gate? The very last B gate currently available. So my 5 month pregnant fiance, with asthma, had the joyous time of walking the full length of the currently available airport....twice. What an absolute nightmare, I have no idea how anyone involved with the construction and design of the airport thought any of this was a good idea. I don't understand how they could have come to the conclusion that the walkways in the tunnel are sufficient. I have no idea how anyone in the operation of the airport thought they could get away without offering any kind of cart/tram service from one end of the tunnel to the other. The concourses are too narrow, lines from gates and every shop/food place extend out into the concourse forcing people to fight through lines of people clogging the concourse. Why is there no sort of tram that runs from one end of the concourses to the other (has anyone been to Detroit's airport? Virtually a carbon copy of the new SLC airport, except it has taller concourses which allows for continuous tram service for people to go from one end to the other easily)? Did nobody bother to study how other airports have line formation at gates which extend into the concourse? Did nobody study how shops/restaurants move people through them? The whole thing is a joke, they had years to get this right, they went with the obvious cheap and easy setup which has resulted in a very flawed system. It's like the designers and engineers never even visited other airports and actually WALKED them. Not looking forward to our future trips with a young child. And no, the new tunnel will not resolve many of the issues that plague the current airport design, at the very least they had better be integrating some kind of tram/cart service that runs the length of the tunnel continuously.

[@jameswest8280]

I have a lot of health problems, I had such high hopes for the new terminal, very disappointed.

[@geese5170]

Bro do you want the airplane to land in front of your house or something? The infrastructure that goes into making these types of structures is so far beyond what either of us could comprehend. The airport isn’t a bad design because it makes you use your legs 🤓

[@chrislynch9067]

Can we fire this guy and hire a new designer to fix all the problems or just start over. I fly at least once per month, into airports that are much larger and move many more people and this new pile of junk called Salt Lake City airport has to be the worst most in efficient airport at moving people I have ever been in. I can’t believe someone actually thought this was a good design, also who signed off on this design they should be unemployed as well. Maybe demoted to ditch digging department.

[@frankchaffin5964]

Sorry Bill, but I think you must have failed Plane Geometry. The walking distances remain the same from point A to point B, no matter how you draw the connecting links. Other comments have rightfully pointed out the likely scenario of disembarking somewhere on B concourse and trying to make a connection to A concourse (or inverse). Unless you are cross-country runner, you cannot make it from A to B, with carry-on baggage, etc., a restroom stop likely, in less than 30-40 minutes, if that quick. Detroit's airport is laid out linearly as well and it does happen that travelers have to disembark at one end and race to their connecting flight at the opposite end, barely making it before the doors are closed. Last trip through Detroit, we found out that a train runs end to end, thankfully.

[@texcritic]

We all know the current layout is terrible. Don't explanation on why it had to start that way. Why didn't they go to O'hare and examine how they dealt with the same thing - four escalators and for when they break a stair case. Signage coming out of the tunnel from B to A is lacking. Hard to figure out which way to turn. The large shite multi-layer seating things are awful. Kids climb all over them, so if you sit your clothing goes on a dirty surface likely from the men's room? Fix that. An improvement was designed to corral the families welcoming returning missionaries into an area that doesn't disrupt normal traffic. However no one is enforcing this, and the families still spill out just like the old air port.

[@danjohnson8556]

O’hare has the opposite problem. It’s an absolute mess for planes.

[@GregoryDibb]

Sorry, but the experience as a passenger is 100x worse than it used to be... It's beautiful, but it's way too far to walk. There are better designs that still accommodate larger planes, but don't require 30 minute walks to get out... Even DFW from decades ago is a better design...

[@matthewoverocker49]

Yep, built for planes. Only.

[@timothy468]

I landed for what was supposed to be a 3 hour layover.. was stuck taxiing on the runway for 45 minutes after landing. I had no clue there was a completely new airport, and was looking forward to being in the old airport. Lol so I was lost as fuck needless to say when I got into the airport. I asked a guy at an information desk in concourse A where panda express was. He told me to walk to concourse B, when the panda express was literally behind us around the corner. Fuck this new airport. I walked miles in that stupid fucking design. This airport could definitely benefit from a train that runs in a loop, with two or four stations.

[@flyinute]

Far too late for that.

[@timothy468]

@@flyinute naah brahh. Build the train.. LOL 😆

[@JoeSmith-lv8wo]

Well it is a nice airport. However due to poor design the walk is too long No trams Even with the moving walkways the walk from security to the upper b gates is too long. Someone is going to have a heart attack. Sent from my iPhone

[@LeannaRead]

Why can't the taxi part of the runway be one way so there would be less distance between the terminals? With this design, the distance is MORE than the length of the 4 largest planes, with no tram! I am a fit, fast walker, so there are many people with a greater right to complain than myself, but I CANNOT STAND making the trek to terminal b. I fly Alaska Airlines because my family is in SD, and it is the best airline for my flight, but it is always given the very last gates in terminal B. I am a light packer and I don't every use a roller carry on because I don't need that much luggage, and I can store a small duffel under the seat, but then I have to carry it the whole way. But the WORST part is that with this poor airport design, there is no way to get around the STUPID people that don't stay to ONE side of an escalator or moving walkway so OTHER FASTER PEOPLE CAN MOVE BY THEM. I need to stop thinking about this because it is raising my blood pressure as we speak.

[@mesabog2]

There has to be two lanes for aircraft, one lane for departing aircraft to pushback and another lane for aircraft arriving in to park. If you had only one lane it would create a big jam as it takes several minutes or more to push a plane back, get started, do their checks, etc and then clear before other aircraft could get in. That was the problem with the old configuration.

[@ronhill4829]

Easy to see that Delta is the preferred airline for this new airport given the design layout - all other carriers and their passengers can eat dirt. Makes you wonder how much Delta paid SLC in sleazy backroom deals to fuck their competition.

[@squrrll]

1, Delta paid for most of the airport construction as the largest user, and 2, they have some of the furthest gates.

[@ronhill4829]

@@squrrll They have ALL of the nearest gates.

[@squrrll]

@@ronhill4829 Yup. And the furthest ones too. But again, they are the largest user, and funder of the new airport, so of course they get first pick. Nothing shady there.

[@luizbruno2010]

@@squrrll excuse me sir, do you know where can i get the information of which gates delta uses?

[@nutellafoxvideos7350]

Literally no secret that Delta practically paid for most of this airport.

[@catalyst9]

Of all the airports I've been to around the world, the new SLC is sadly my least favorite... The new design is appallingly, shockingly bad. Just ask anyone who's had the great misfortune to fly into or out of Concourse B. Passenger complaints are rampant, with most wondering what in the world the designers were thinking, i.e., with all the time and money to get it right, how could they screw up this badly? Even more remarkably, and disappointingly, it appears Phase 2 doesn't solve any of the problems! Whoever designed and approved this should be fired with alacrity.

[@squrrll]

I really like it. I have walked to the furthest gates multiple times, kids in tow, and it's really not that far. The design includes a future tram between the concourses, so the walks will get even shorter. Security is so much easier and faster, as are pickup/dropoff.

[@ericlichtenberg8137]

You are 100% correct. This airport is awful. It must take a lot of money and overly educated people to ruin an airport, but they succeeded in the creating a shiny new art exhibit. The giant wasps they created in a lab to make the common area art instillations were expensive so practicality had to take a back seat. Airports like this is why conspiracy theories are born. Here's a new one: They built this airport on top of their giant wasp God colony that they worship. - I really hate this airport.

[@jameswest8280]

@@ericlichtenberg8137 makes perfect sense, early airplanes used Wasp engines.

[@TroothFully]

You aren't listening to the people. You did not design for people despite your excuses. You designed for Delta. It's still going to be a very long walk for many many many people even after the "new" long walkway. Other much busier airports have much less mileage to walk. For families and older people this is a nightmare.

[@benrichards9667]

Exactly! They made it horrible!!

[@chanceherd2195]

The new walkway also has a train. It seems much smaller than all the other bigger airports but will run more smoothly and at the same rate I’m sure.

[@rrsttt7505]

2 years later and they still don’t have the center tunnel

[@user-pf3nv9pd7g]

After nearly 70 years of living there is one thing I know for sure. You could give someone one million dollars and they would bitch because it wasn’t in the right denomination..

[@jonascos1538]

I wanna work here!! 🤗

[@pdmaviation1974]

It still kind of needs a train underground since it’s quite a walk if you have a flight out of concourse b

[@susanherbst8880]

I like the old airport so much better for flying on united. The walk is intolerable. And the new tunnel still has no train!!!

[@mikederucki]

If you have a flight connecting from one end of A to the other end of B or vice versa, you will be walking about 4800 feet. Remember a mile is 5280 feet... There is a tram coming in the phase 2 tunnel, but wow, for now this business traveler is really annoyed.

[@annette4660]

Well, the tunnel isn't coming until fall of 2024, and the tram may not even go in then, but as part of a LATER phase. (I got all this from the website.) So lucky us, we'll be doing just what we're doing now for at least another two and a half years, and maybe indefinitely.

[@drendebe10]

Given the designers lousy track record so far, do t hold your breath it will solve anything.

[@goodmoringful]

It’s really big. The linear concourse is what make passengers frustrated especially if walking from end to end for changing flights. This is a terrible design in setting up any tram system. Otherwise you will just hope that they built an underground for the east and west wing of the concourse because honestly it’s a length of 12 football fields, which I highly doubt they will be implemented. Right now they are only finished with half of it. Wait till we see more people complaining when changing their flights from one end to another on the finishing concourse.

[@mikeholbrook1]

I don’t usually comment on videos. I travel for my job and have been to 50+ airports. I’m from and live in SLC. Now I’m ashamed of having the WORST airport on the planet - that I use every week of the year. This guy blames the horrible design on plane size. NOT TRUE. A lot of the walking is due to the enormous amount of retail. Build a tram / bus / train / gondola / anything! Denver is a short flight … go check it out before you build a multi billion $ airport with no transport!

[@nutellafoxvideos7350]

Someone's never been to Paris.

[@benrichards9667]

Your new airport design is horrible! You made it almost impossible for elderly to get from A to B. Yes it's new and clean, it's the design that stinks! Too many people trying criss-cross each other. Not enough speed walks. The lower tunnel is terrible. I cant stand this new airport design. 😡

[@michaellinner7772]

This B.S. about size 1 & 2 aircraft vs. 3, 4 & 5 is nonsense. As far back as 1970 the airport routinely had DC-10s, 707s, 727s, taking off and landing. These are not tiny aircraft. The limiting factor for plane size is very rarely the terminals. It's the runway length. This "new" design has been tried before with usually bad results. The axial design of the old airport is the tried and true best design because it minimizes walking distances for everyone while providing ample room for every size of aircraft. As far as I can tell this is a perfect example of planned obsolescence, ensuring that the whole thing will need to be done all over again within 20 years of inefficient, frustrating traveling experience. It's obvious to me that he knows he's lying.

[@nutellafoxvideos7350]

707 and 727s are actually pretty tiny... they just had 3 or 4 engines. At least compared to bigger planes today like a350 and 777.

[@sebastiannielson1952]

you just proved you do not know what you are talking about. 727, 707, and DC-10s are all smaller than modern wide bodies. The redesign was needed greatly and has proven to work very well. (despite customer complaints about the walking times)

[@billjacoby]

It's unbelievable how bad the design is for a new airport! The fact that people enter on the same level as people retrieving checked bags from is idiotic! Also as many people have said, not having a fast tram between A and B gates isa a major oversight. Unbelievable someone actually thought this was a good design and that you continue to try and defend it!

[@KlydetheGlyde]

Finish the next phase then I’ll decide.

[@adajmar]

I love this new airport.

[@Agate_Island]

Queue the exaggerated long walks uphill both ways, terminal B nightmare scenarios, no train to run the distance of 2 city blocks, no places to rest for the exhausted weary traveler, elderly people falling over in the tunnel of death and the bring back the old perfectly quaint airport comments in 3, 2, 1…

[@dayvidlauman2478]

You beat me to it. All the complaints were driving me nuts.

[@spencerthomason6558]

Agate Island is the best story ever told!

[@richharshaw2021]

It's just frustrating that they had all the time and money in the world, and then created an objectively crappy airport. It's like paying $70,000 for a Hyundai Tuscon--it's a fine car, but not worth that kind of money.

[@sweetlittlebubbles]

I don’t think people are necessarily advocating for a return to the old design but, I do think that trying to claim that this was designed for travelers and the local community is objectively ludicrous. As someone who has regularly utilized air travel for both domestic and international travel for 20 years and has kept a running list of favorite airports ranked by efficiency since childhood, I have no problem arguing that this design is fundamentally flawed and absolutely missed the mark. The decision to double down on extolling the virtues of a short-sighted design instead of immediately getting to work on developing solutions to the problems created by it is the thing people are unhappy about.

[@Agate_Island]

@@spencerthomason6558 Yes, yes it is.

[@bonose12]

The incompetence of the planning team is astonishing. No train, are you kidding me? How are wheelchairs supposed to go a mile or families with small kids. Slc can make money on Olympics but can’t design a proper airport. Losers.

[@drendebe10]

This the absolutely worst designed airport I've ever been in. If you are elderly or have difficulty walking you are out of luck. The place has insufficient number of moving walkways as well as inadequate wheelchair assistance. There are no electric carts in the main tunnel and there is an arduous traverse in that horrible tunnel between the A and B courses which have insulting signs saying exercise is good for you. The mayor of that idiotic city is on record as saying people need to walk. The mayor is a typical ignorant politician who ignores the needs of the elderly. This airport sucks the big giant one. I dread having to connect thru there which often I have no choice flying Delta.