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The Best Airport Hacks

Posted on December 19, 2025

Lizzie Goldsmith

A sea of suitcases at the SLC airport.

Avoid airport chaos and price gouging with our tips! (Ali Vallarta/City Cast Salt Lake)

Are you flying this holiday season? Luckily, Salt Lake City International Airport ranks among the most reliable in the nation, with just 0.6% of flights canceled and 15% delayed. On the City Cast Salt Lake podcast, we talked with flight expert and Going (formerly, Scott’s Cheap Flights) founder Scott Keyes about the best airport hacks to make your trip even smoother.

City Cast

The Best Flight Deals From Salt Lake City

00:00:00

Catch an Early Morning Flight

Early-morning flights are more likely to be on time. Not only does the weather tend to be better in the morning, but planes are already on the tarmac.

Forget Airline Loyalty

Because SLC International is a Delta hub, sometimes the most affordable options come from other airlines competing for your business. For example, $303 roundtrip flights to Key West via American Airlines, $560 roundtrips to Milan on United, or, closer to home, a $53 trip to Denver and back on Frontier (according to yesterday’s deals on Going).

Fly Out of a Smaller Airport

Sometimes the best way to find fast, affordable air travel is, paradoxically, skipping the Salt Lake airport altogether. It might be worth driving down to Provo for Breeze Airways’ flights to cities like Dallas, San Francisco, or Phoenix. As an added bonus, getting through TSA will be a much faster experience.

Fall in Love With the Airport Again

Not every city has an airport as centrally located as ours. And with the “River Tunnel” shortening the walk to B Gates, SLC can be an enjoyable “second home” — and a place of endless exploration for kids especially.

What's your favorite airport hack?

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