Salt Lake City Airport can be found five miles northwest of the downtown area and is used for both civil and military purposes. The east side of the Salt Lake City International Airport, as the airport is officially known, is the military side, while the western side is reserved for civilian flights (commercial flights). A number of major airlines offer regular flights to and from Utah's busiest airport, and you might be interested to know that the majority of these flights are on time. In fact, the Salt Lake City Airport has ranked first in the country on several different occasions for on-time arrivals and departures. It is also known for its relatively small number of annual cancellations, despite quite a bit of snowy weather in the winter, which is music to many travelers' ears.
The Salt Lake City International Airport boasts two terminals, a total of five different concourses, and just over 80 gates. One of the terminals is an international terminal, and in addition to receiving international flights, it also receives charter flights. There are four runways are concerned. Three of the runways handle the larger air carriers, while the fourth is used for general aviation purposes. Short-term Salt Lake City Airport parking is available at the terraces that can be found next to the terminals, and should you be in need of a rental car, the rental car companies can be found on the parking garage's lower level.
Some travelers who are in need of Salt Lake City Airport parking will need long-term parking as opposed to short-term parking. In this event, there are long-term lots that can come in handy. These long-term lots are served by free shuttle buses and can be found to the south and the west of the terminals. The free shuttles to the long-term Salt Lake City Airport parking lots leave approximately every five minutes.
It is important to note that level one at the Salt Lake City International Airport's short-term parking garage is designed for those who only need to park for an hour or less, with the first 30 minutes being free. Should you park on this level for a period of 31 to 50 minutes, you will have to pay a couple of dollars, with the price going up every 20 minutes after that. As for the ground transportation options for those who aren't driving to or from the Salt Lake City International Airport, they include airport shuttles, taxis, buses, and rental cars.
The Salt Lake City Airport caters to air travelers who have time to spare with a relatively complete array of shopping and dining establishments. There are also some airport services that you might keep in mind if you are planning on using the airport. On the shopping side of things, the various stores offer a number of unique items, and you can always visit one of the book or convenience stores to pick up reading material, some candy or gum, and other things that might make your traveling experience a better one.
When the urge to get something to eat or drink sets in at the Salt Lake City International Airport, you will be happy to know that the dining establishments are numerous and varied, with choices ranging from fast-food establishments and cafes to more upscale eateries where sitting down and ordering off a menu is the norm. Other airport services include free Wi-Fi available throughout, a small business center where a number of business-related services are offered, and family's with kids can take advantage of the play areas. Travelers can also get information on city attractions and even pick up a discounted attractions pass at the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau desks in terminals 1 and 2.
It is worth noting that one of the best golf courses in Salt Lake City can be found near the airport. This golf course is the 18-hole Wingpointe Golf Course. You can also find some good airport hotels near the terminals, and since the downtown area is just five miles away, these hotels can make attractive travel bases, especially if you like to golf.