Delta flew its first flight out of the new Salt Lake City International Airport, which underwent a billion-dollar renovation recently, on Tuesday.
The debut flight departed for Atlanta from the airport’s new 900,000-square-foot Concourse A.
“This day has been years in the making,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports.
“To say we are excited to be here today is an understatement. After six years of construction and many more years of planning, we are proud to open the first new US hub airport in the 21st century.”
Salt Lake City International Airport is undergoing a $4.1 billion renovation project, according to USA Today. Concourse A is part of the first phase of the renovation project, while the second concourse is set to open in October, and the rest of the rest of the new airport is scheduled to be completed by 2024, added the report.
The US carrier says the airport’s new Salt Lake City Airport includes convenient amenities designed to enhance the overall travel experience.
“From a more efficient baggage-handling system that accommodates luggage of all sizes and shapes so skis don’t need to be dropped off at a special counter to a state-of-the-art parking garage with a mobile app service to remind passengers where they parked their car, the new SLC was designed with today’s traveler in mind,” reads a press release from Delta.
The new airport also includes the latest and largest Delta Sky Club at 28,000 square feet. The Atlanta-based carrier says the club offers guests views of the Wasatch Range from the covered open-air Sky Deck and a 360-degree fireplace in the middleof the lounge.
Investing in infrastructure
Delta says it is investing “more than $12 billion” in airport projects, including new construction at Los Angeles International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport in addition to the work in SLC.
“For the past 60 years, Delta has remained a steadfast, strategic partner to the Salt Lake City International Airport and today, we are gathered to celebrate the opening of the new gold standard for travellers coming to or through this great region that we’ve built together,” said Scott Santoro, Delta’s vice president – sales for the West Coast.
“This incredible space is more than the largest new build in the Western United States for more than 25 years. It solidifies Delta as the airline of choice for passengers traveling to, from, and through Salt Lake for both business and leisure travel for years to come.”
