Why XNA’s Salt Lake City Route Is More Important Than You Think

Salt Lake City Skyline

Our new nonstop flight to Salt Lake City (SLC) is a big deal—and it’s bigger than just a great ski destination. This route connects Northwest Arkansas to one of Delta Air Lines’ largest hubs, opening up seamless travel to the West Coast, international destinations, and beyond.

Delta operates 50 gates at SLC, with more than 230 peak-day departures to nearly 90 destinations. That means this flight isn’t just about getting to Utah—it’s about better access to a massive network of flights with fewer layovers and shorter travel times.

A Better Way to the West Coast and Beyond

Salt Lake City is a major connection point for Delta, making travel more convenient for XNA passengers heading to:

  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • International destinations like London, Amsterdam, and Paris

With this route, many long and inconvenient layovers disappear, making travel faster and easier.

What This Means for Northwest Arkansas

This nonstop flight is about more than convenience. Strong air service makes Northwest Arkansas more competitive for business, tourism, and economic development. The easier it is to get here, the more attractive our region becomes.

But airlines don’t keep flights that aren’t used. If this route doesn’t perform, it could be cut—and that would make it harder to secure more nonstop options in the future.

Salt Lake City:  Use It or Lose It

Keeping and expanding flights at XNA depends on demand. If we want more nonstop routes—especially to the West Coast—we have to use this one.

Salt Lake City isn’t just a destination—it’s a gateway. Let’s make sure it stays.

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