What you're seeing over Salt Lake City
The jets over Salt Lake City are mostly Delta flights going to or from Salt Lake City International, about four miles west of downtown. SLC is one of Delta's major hubs, and its rebuilt airport, which opened in stages starting in 2020, handles a big share of the connecting traffic between the West and the rest of the country.
The Salt Lake Valley's geography shapes the traffic. The airport's parallel runways run north-south, squeezed between the Great Salt Lake to the northwest and the Wasatch Mountains to the east. In north flow, which is common during the day, arrivals come up the valley from the south and descend over the west side, while departures climb out to the north over the lake. In south flow, the pattern reverses. North of the city, Hill Air Force Base flies F-35A fighters, and you'll often see them over Davis and Weber counties. Winter inversions can trap haze and fog in the valley, reducing visibility. Remember that the valley floor sits more than 4,000 feet above sea level, so a jet showing 9,000 feet is less than a mile above your head; our guide to altitude numbers explains the difference.
Airports near Salt Lake City
- major hubSLCSalt Lake City International Airport
KSLC · 5 miles northwest of downtown
A Delta hub west of downtown, rebuilt with a new terminal that opened starting in 2020. Live traffic at SLC ↗ - militaryHIFHill Air Force Base
KHIF · 25 miles north of downtown
A major Air Force base north of Salt Lake City flying F-35A fighters and maintaining many other aircraft. Live traffic at HIF ↗ - commercialOGDOgden-Hinckley Airport
KOGD · 31 miles north of downtown
A general aviation and limited commercial airport in Ogden. Live traffic at OGD ↗ - commercialPVUProvo Airport
KPVU · 38 miles south of downtown
A growing commercial airport in Utah County, south of Salt Lake City. Live traffic at PVU ↗ - general aviationU42South Valley Regional Airport
U42 · 11 miles southwest of downtown
A general aviation airport in West Jordan, also used by the Utah Army National Guard. Live traffic at U42 ↗
Common traffic over Salt Lake City
Delta dominates SLC with A321s, 737s, A220s and regional jets operated by SkyWest, which is headquartered in nearby St. George, plus widebodies to Europe. Southwest, United, American, Alaska, Frontier and others add more. FedEx and UPS freighters serve SLC as well.
SLC has three parallel runways running north-south and one crossing runway:
- North flow, common during the day: arrivals come up the valley from the south over West Valley City and Magna, and departures climb out to the north over the Great Salt Lake and the marshes.
- South flow, typically with south winds ahead of storms: arrivals come in from the north over the lake, and departures climb south over the west side.
Departures heading east often climb in a long arc before crossing the Wasatch Mountains, which rise more than 7,000 feet above the valley floor.
Military flying comes from Hill Air Force Base, where the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings fly F-35As, often in pairs and four-ships over the north end of the valley. The base's depot also maintains A-10s, F-16s and other aircraft. The Utah Air National Guard flies KC-135 tankers from SLC. Helicopters include Intermountain Life Flight and University of Utah AirMed medevac, police and news crews, and helicopters flying skiers in the Wasatch. Winter inversions can trap fog and haze in the valley, sometimes causing delays and diversions.
Aircraft you'll often see here
Airbus A321
narrowbody airliner
Boeing 737-900 / 737-900ER
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A320
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A220-300
small narrowbody airliner
Bombardier CRJ900
regional jet
Embraer E175
regional jet
Boeing 737-800
narrowbody airliner
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
military aerial refueling tanker
Plane-spotting tips for Salt Lake City
The roads around SLC's perimeter, especially toward the north and south ends of the field, give views of arrivals and departures. The Ensign Peak trail and the State Capitol grounds offer elevated views over the valley, with the airport and Great Salt Lake in the distance. For Hill AFB's F-35s, the Hill Aerospace Museum, just outside the base, has an outdoor collection and views of the jets. Winter inversions can bring gray, hazy days, while spring and fall offer crisp, clear skies with the mountains as a backdrop. Antelope Island State Park, in the Great Salt Lake, gives wide views across the water and the valley, with north-flow departures climbing out in the distance.
Salt Lake City sky questions
Which way is Salt Lake City's airport landing today?
SLC is often in north flow during the day, with arrivals coming up the valley from the south. With south winds, often ahead of approaching storms, it switches to south flow, with arrivals coming in over the Great Salt Lake.
What are the fighter jets north of Salt Lake City?
They are F-35A fighters from Hill Air Force Base, home of the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings.
Why does fog cause delays at SLC in winter?
Winter temperature inversions trap cold air, fog and haze in the Salt Lake Valley, reducing visibility and sometimes slowing arrivals.
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