Salt Lake City International Airport has long been a gateway to Utah’s mountains, red rock vistas, national parks, and wide-open western experiences—even decades before the 2002 Winter Olympics came to town.
In late 2025, Phase 4 of the airport’s redevelopment rolled out, introducing travelers to 10 new gates, six new concessions that highlight several local establishments, plus two premium lounges that reflect the spirit of Utah in Terminal B: Delta’s latest Sky Club and an American Express Centurion Lounge.
With preparations underway for the 2034 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City International Airport is now welcoming the world to these additional luxury lounges—making the airport a destination worth lingering in by more than 28 million visitors from around the globe each year. Recently named Most Enjoyable Airport in North America, travelers who pass through get a taste of Utah’s cultural identity and a first impression of the Wasatch Front before they even leave the concourse.
Delta Sky Club
Stepping into the Delta Sky Club in Terminal B, it’s immediately clear this isn’t your typical airport waiting room. At 34,000 square feet, this location is the second largest in the Sky Club network and signals Salt Lake’s importance as a major Delta hub.
The lounge blends naturally dramatic views with local touches that show up in the design, artwork, and food.
“We take a lot of the beautiful surroundings of Salt Lake City, and we bring it to the lounge in terms of design,” explains Claude Roussel, Vice President, Sky Clubs and Lounge Experience for Delta Air Lines. “We try to bring the city we’re in into a lot of the features in the lounge.”
Natural wood tones, warm metals, and panoramic airfield views seen through floor-to-ceiling windows pair with Utah artwork and installations.
A 4D digital immersion wall features rotating visuals of iconic landmarks such as Arches and Zion National Parks as well as rugged canyons and deserts, snow-capped mountain peaks, and other Utah landscapes mixed with calming nature sounds to virtually transport visitors. The immersive experience reminds guests that Utah has some of the most dramatic terrain in the country. It’s a tribute to where they’ve been or where they might head next.
Curated artwork from eight Utah-based artists includes a prominent mural of matchbooks from iconic local restaurants like Red Iguana and The Cotton Bottom.
Designed to feel like a “taste of life here in Utah,” culinary offerings lean toward generous salad buffets, warm breakfast items, sandwiches, house-made seasonal items, and desserts.
“We always want to attach ourselves to the city we’re in,” Roussel continues. “It’s important that you feel a sense of place when you come to the lounge. The dirty soda, for example.”
Indeed, guests with a sweet tooth will find a dirty soda bar in each of Salt Lake’s Sky Clubs that acts as a playful tribute to Utahn’s love of flavored fountain sodas.
American Express Centurion Lounge
Further down Terminal B, Utah’s first American Express Centurion Lounge offers an equally compelling experience. Nearly 18,000 square feet of luxe interior space balances ski lodge-style warmth with airport sophistication.
Centurion Lounges are known for blending high-end comfort with a strong sense of place and Salt Lake City’s is no different, presenting a glimpse of the state’s artistic voice.
Utah artist Erin Blundell was commissioned to create a 5’x6’ mixed-media piece representing American Express’s American Bulldog mascot for the reception area.
“This piece is collaged with aspects of the Utah landscape and the Salt Lake City skyline,” she explained on her Instagram. “These aspects include skiers, southern Utah landmarks, the sego lily, and of course some bees, because we are the Beehive State.”
A large-format tapestry by Rebecca Whitaker evokes Utah’s mountains and salt flats, while custom lighting installations inspired by Utah’s starry night skies add drama and depth to the space.
The Hearth Room, centered around a 360-degree fireplace, creates a welcoming ski-lodge living room vibe, while an outdoor terrace complete with firepit seating provides fresh air and mountain views year-round.
From a full bar serving local craft beers and wines to rotating culinary selections curated by The Culinary Collective, a roster of James Beard-recognized chefs, the lounge serves up thoughtful bites and drinks tailored to global travelers.
Craft cocktails like the Park City Sling—a combination of gin, tart cherry, and lemon—cleverly reference Utah’s agricultural background while the Blue Roast by American Express coffee bar showcases espresso, cold brew, and creative seasonal drinks poured with beans from Utah roasters including Millcreek Coffee Roasters.
“The Centurion Lounge is refining the traveler experience with elevated service, curated amenities, and gourmet dining, making the journey through Salt Lake City truly exceptional.” Bill Wyatt, Executive Director, Salt Lake City Department of Airports, explains.
A Sense of Place in Every Detail
What’s recognizable in both lounges is the celebration of Utah’s culture and landscape. Art, design, and menus reflect mountain life, desert expanses, and the state’s quirks. Indoor and outdoor spaces reinforce what makes Salt Lake standout in the middle of travel logistics—natural beauty is always nearby.
The Airport as a Destination
Full completion of Salt Lake City International Airport’s redevelopment is expected in 2026 with the final phase of construction of Terminal B culminating in another 11 gates and six more shops and restaurants.
It will cement a more modern passenger experience overall with the airport positioning itself as a showcase for regional food culture with concessions highlighting local favorites across both terminals.
Alongside the Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounge, this new era of travel through Salt Lake City reflects the sophistication and creativity of Utah itself—designed with intention, grounded in Utah artistry, and flavored with local hospitality.
In a state known for world-class outdoor adventure, it’s fitting that the journey to Utah doesn’t begin in the mountains or the desert. It begins at Salt Lake City International Airport with a glass in hand, local art on the walls, and the landscape waiting beyond its windows.
