Business Traveler, Dec/Jan 2021

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1 b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m 4 6 TA K E O F F S A N D L A N D I N G S Patrol facilities allowing passengers to walk from the plane to take care of the necessary arrival formalities The new airport facilities can welcome some of the largest planes on the commercial market too While none is scheduled to serve the airport at the moment the gates can handle a plane as large as the Boeing 747 400 while the runways can withstand the weight of an Airbus A380 Connecting the two concourses is a nearly 1000 foot long underground tunnel with artwork that showcases the states four distinct seasons through an intricate mural Interestingly the tunnel was built back in 2004 using funding from a federal grant when the airport first anticipated this project but it was not officially opened until now Each seat in the gate areas features a power outlet and two armrests for additional space even more reassuring these days which is a vast improvement over the old terminal buildings waiting areas The airport is also proud of the fact that it has ample restroom facilities meaning that typically no traveler is more than 150 feet from the nearest restroom Thats impressive for such a large building Concourse A is as long as a dozen football fields Among the many dining options are several local breweries and pubs which bring a taste of Utah to the travel experience even for those who are just connecting through the airport The new airport practically doubles the amount of retail space for travelers with as much as 45000 square feet dedicated to shopping with prices said to be on par with street pricing ADVANCED SECURITY Among the new features of the airport is a centralized security screening checkpoint that includes more advanced body scanners and more efficient screening lanes allowing multiple travelers to divest their items simultaneously The automated screening lanes use conveyor belts to return bins from post screening back to the front of the checkpoint while also diverting bins that require additional screening to a separate lane The bins also have a radio frequency tag that keeps track of the contents along their journey and make it easier for staff to search bags that need an additional check Behind the scenes new screening technology automates the security process for large items like skis bikes and golf clubs the kind of gear the airport sees a lot of throughout the year Previously these were handscreened by TSA SLC is the first US airport to have automatic inspection of such large checked items During the summer months the 170 million baggage screening system can manage 3540 bags every hour while during the winter months it can handle 3276 bags per hour The new baggage system stretches six miles in length thats an impressive journey for your bag to travel before it even takes flight TRIPLE SIZED SKY CLUB As the airports only lounge heres some exciting news for travelers Delta fliers will find a new 27000 square foot Sky Club that is triple the size of the one it replaced It also has a popular Sky Deck terrace similar to the outdoor balconies in Deltas Atlanta Austin and New York JFK clubs with views of the airport and Wasatch Mountains Unlike its predecessor this lounge has showers which is a welcome sign for those stepping off longer flights There are also lounge chairs closed pods for phone conversations work cubicles with power outlets and bag storage a fireplace and plentiful regional art and photography The New SLC is poised for great things both now and in the future While it is unclear just when the majority of travelers will return the age old adage if you build it they will come is certainly what the airport is hoping will happen as fast as possible BT FROM Top Large scale art walls or Whimsy Walls are unique vinyl wall wraps that were created from original artwork New 27000 squarefoot Delta Sky Club