Is 45 minutes enough at SLC? 15% of inbound flights landed too late for it, allowing 30 minutes to reach the next gate. Book 60 minutes to keep the risk under 1 in 10, or 75 in July.
Separately, 0.9% of flights into SLC were cancelled or diverted (1.7% in July). That isn't a missed connection in the same sense: on one booking the airline rebooks you, though it can still cost you the day.
Check your exact itinerary through SLC →
Missed-connection risk by layover and month
Share of flights that landed at SLC too late for the connection (cancellations not included), pooled over 2023–2026. Read across your travel month.
| Layover | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 min | 21% | 19% | 19% | 18% | 20% | 22% | 23% | 22% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 19% | 20% |
| 50 min | 14% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 13% | 15% | 17% | 15% | 10% | 9% | 9% | 13% | 13% |
| 60 min | 10% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 10% | 11% | 13% | 12% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 9% | 10% |
| 75 min | 7% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 10% | 8% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 7% | 7% |
| 90 min | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
| 120 min | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Counts flights that landed; cancelled and diverted inbound flights are reported separately above. Assumes 30 minutes to get off the plane and reach the next gate, and that the onward flight leaves on time. A terminal change or re-checking bags needs more.
Late in the day is riskier
Share of flights that would miss a 60-minute connection, by scheduled arrival time at SLC (past 12 months). Delays pile up through the day.
Riskiest flights in
| From | Flights | Miss 60 min |
|---|---|---|
| ORD Chicago | 3,245 | 21% |
| DFW Dallas | 3,872 | 20% |
| SFO San Francisco | 3,451 | 17% |
| BOS Boston | 1,264 | 15% |
| JFK New York | 1,929 | 15% |
| EWR Newark | 1,338 | 15% |
| DEN Denver | 7,713 | 13% |
| DTW Detroit | 1,535 | 12% |
| AUS Austin | 1,798 | 12% |
| ATL Atlanta | 2,965 | 11% |
| LAS Las Vegas | 3,724 | 11% |
| MCO Orlando | 1,483 | 11% |
Safest flights in
| From | Flights | Miss 60 min |
|---|---|---|
| ABQ Albuquerque | 1,149 | 4% |
| FAT Fresno | 1,365 | 4% |
| PSC Pasco | 1,177 | 4% |
| SGU St. George | 1,727 | 4% |
| TUS Tucson | 1,112 | 5% |
| IDA Idaho Falls | 1,195 | 5% |
| BOI Boise | 1,732 | 5% |
| SJC San Jose | 1,794 | 5% |
| ONT Ontario | 1,239 | 6% |
| BZN Bozeman | 1,160 | 6% |
| RNO Reno | 1,201 | 6% |
| GEG Spokane | 1,668 | 6% |
Last flights of the day from SLC
If your inbound runs late and you miss one of these, the next flight is usually the next morning. Typical last scheduled departure over the past three months:
| To | Last departure | Flights / day |
|---|---|---|
| ORD Chicago | 5:21 p.m. | 9.2 |
| DFW Dallas | 5:40 p.m. | 10.4 |
| IAH Houston | 5:45 p.m. | 5.7 |
| AUS Austin | 5:45 p.m. | 5.3 |
| FAT Fresno | 8:30 p.m. | 3.9 |
| LGB Long Beach | 8:40 p.m. | 4.3 |
| SGU St. George | 8:45 p.m. | 4.8 |
| BUR Burbank | 8:50 p.m. | 4 |
| SNA Santa Ana | 9:05 p.m. | 4.8 |
| MSP Minneapolis | 9:05 p.m. | 4.8 |
| DEN Denver | 9:40 p.m. | 21.3 |
| PHX Phoenix | 10:45 p.m. | 14.2 |
| LAX Los Angeles | 10:45 p.m. | 10.5 |
| SEA Seattle | 10:45 p.m. | 12.5 |
| SJC San Jose | 10:45 p.m. | 5.3 |
| SFO San Francisco | 10:50 p.m. | 9.3 |
| PDX Portland | 10:50 p.m. | 7.9 |
| BOI Boise | 10:50 p.m. | 4.8 |
| OAK Oakland | 10:50 p.m. | 4 |
| SAN San Diego | 10:55 p.m. | 9 |
| ONT Ontario | 10:59 p.m. | 3.8 |
| SMF Sacramento | 11:04 p.m. | 6.4 |
| LAS Las Vegas | 11:14 p.m. | 9.4 |
| GEG Spokane | 11:15 p.m. | 4.8 |
| MCO Orlando | 11:24 p.m. | 3.5 |
| ATL Atlanta | 11:35 p.m. | 8 |
| EWR Newark | 11:38 p.m. | 3.2 |
| DTW Detroit | 11:50 p.m. | 4.6 |
| JFK New York | 11:59 p.m. | 4.8 |
| BOS Boston | 11:59 p.m. | 3.8 |
Questions
Is 45 minutes enough for a connection at SLC?
Often, not always. Over the past year 15% of flights into Salt Lake City landed too late to leave 30 minutes to reach the next gate on a 45-minute layover. With 60 minutes it was 10%; with 90, 5%. Separately, 0.9% of inbound flights were cancelled or diverted; on one booking the airline rebooks you.
How long a layover do I need at SLC?
To keep the risk of a late inbound below 1 in 10, about 60 minutes on an average month and 75 minutes in July, the worst month. Add time if you change terminals or need to re-check bags.
An estimate from past arrival delays, not a guarantee. On one ticket, the airline will rebook you if you misconnect. On separate tickets you're on your own, so leave far more time. Method.