How to ease your airport departure during Salt Lake City’s busy holiday crush

Don’t forget to wear a mask in the airport, as well as on planes, trains and buses.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Travelers will walk through the tunnel to the North Concourse at Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

The number of travelers traveling through Salt Lake City International Airport during the Christmas and New Year holidays is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels.

Airport officials predict that December 22, 23 and 24, along with January 2, will be the busiest travel days, with around 25,000 passengers departing from the new terminal every day.

For comparison: During the same period in 2019, between 20,000 and 28,000 a day came through the doorstep of Salt Lake City Airport. In 2020, daily departures fell to between 11,000 and 17,000 per day due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus over the holidays.

Those numbers only count the number of people departing from Utah’s largest airport.

“This year additional passengers will arrive and make connecting flights,” said airport spokeswoman Nancy Volmer.

Airport officials have a few recommendations to help ensure a smooth trip during the vacation travel spike.

According to the requirements of the US Transportation Security Administration, all travelers inside the airport, on board commercial aircraft and in connecting train and bus systems must wear face masks.

Before heading to the airport, travelers and those picking up passengers should check flight status to ensure that departures and arrivals are not delayed. Passengers can reserve on-site parking spaces in advance on the airport’s website. Airport officials also recommend electronic check-in for flights in advance to expedite the departure process.

Passengers should arrive at least two hours in advance for domestic flights as the new airport is much larger and has longer walkways between gates and the terminal. International travelers should arrive at least three hours earlier.

Those who do not have time at the airport can have a meal or a drink in the nearly two dozen restaurants and cafes in the terminal and in the waiting lounges. Recent additions include Beecher’s, Coach, Pick Up Stix and White Horse, according to a press release.

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