Originally Posted by
SJC ORD LDR
It's not that bad. It's not like those horrible NYC airports or the old NW DTW hub.
OK, I agree SLC clears that bar. But pre-McNamara DTW or the old PanAm WorldPort are the lowest of low bars for terminal quality.
(Even modern NYC airports are, I agree, worse than SLC.)
That said, SLC in its current form is still pretty darn bad. IMHO, the main problem is concourse design - low ceilings, crowded gate areas, and a constant glob of people camped out in the middle of the walkway, paired with a pier model that ensures most mainline-to-regional connections involve the most possible walking. The main corridor connecting the concourses has travelators that are much too narrow, and the Sky Club is dated and overcrowded with way-too-small bathroom and dining facilities.
The new terminal should be amazing, but it's definitely a necessary investment. The new DTW-style layout will be a huge improvement once it's all finished!