Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) serves as a gateway to the Mountain West and beyond, and while Delta Air Lines dominates with a major hub, several budget carriers keep travel affordable for price-conscious passengers. Travelers who know which airlines to look for and how to navigate their fee structures can fly to popular destinations across the country without spending a fortune. This guide walks through the best budget airlines operating at SLC, their route networks, what you’ll really pay, and how to land the cheapest possible ticket.

The Main Budget Airlines at Salt Lake City International Airport

Four airlines consistently offer low-cost or value-driven flights from Salt Lake City. Each takes a different approach to pricing and service, so understanding their models is the first step to saving money.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier is an ultra-low-cost carrier headquartered in Denver, and it treats Salt Lake City as an important secondary market. You’ll find Frontier flights to Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Orlando, along with seasonal service to additional leisure destinations. The airline’s business model strips the fare down to the absolute basics: a seat and one small personal item that fits under the seat. Everything else—carry-on bags, checked luggage, seat selection, even a soft drink on board—comes with an extra charge. That said, the base fare can be extremely low, frequently hitting $19 to $49 one-way during sales.

Frontier’s Discount Den membership ($59.99 per year) unlocks lower fares and discounts on baggage fees, which often pays for itself in a single round trip for a family. Frontier also runs extensive network sales, sometimes offering 90% off base fares for Den members. If you can travel light and are willing to accept a randomly assigned seat, Frontier can be the absolute cheapest way out of Salt Lake City.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit follows a nearly identical ultra-low-cost model. From Salt Lake City, Spirit offers nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, and other seasonal hubs. The airline’s “Bare Fare” covers a personal item only. Carry-ons, checked bags, seat assignments, and onboard refreshments are all add-ons. Spirit’s fees are published clearly online, but many first-time flyers are caught off guard at the gate. The secret to flying Spirit cheaply is to join the $9 Fare Club (now called Spirit Saver$ Club), which provides access to the lowest fares and discounts on bags and seat selection. Spirit also has a loyalty program, Free Spirit, where points can be redeemed for any available seat without blackout dates.

If you plan ahead—buying bags online rather than at the airport, bringing your own snacks, and checking in on the app—Spirit can deliver rock-bottom prices. Just be aware that the final total will always be higher than the advertised fare, so factor that in when comparing flights.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest occupies a unique position. While not an ultra-low-cost carrier in the mold of Frontier or Spirit, Southwest frequently offers some of the lowest fares out of Salt Lake City and brings a package of benefits that dramatically shifts the value equation. Southwest flies nonstop from SLC to Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Oakland, San Diego, and several other cities. Its two most famous policies—two free checked bags and no change fees—mean that your advertised fare is much closer to what you actually pay.

Southwest also features open seating (choose any available seat when you board), and the Rapid Rewards program offers a Companion Pass that allows a designated person to fly with you for just the taxes and fees on any ticket, paid or award. This can effectively cut travel costs in half if you fly often. For families with luggage or travelers who value flexibility, Southwest frequently ends up cheaper overall even if the base fare appears slightly higher.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines isn’t a budget carrier in the traditional sense, but its competitive pricing on West Coast routes and the existence of its Saver fares make it a legitimate money-saving option from Salt Lake City. Alaska flies nonstop to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, among others. Saver fares are the airline’s basic economy product, restricting seat selection and prohibiting a full-sized carry-on bag (a personal item only). However, these fares are often priced in line with Spirit or Frontier on the same routes, and you get Alaska’s superior service, free texting via in-flight Wi-Fi, and the ability to earn Mileage Plan miles that are highly valuable for partner redemptions on carriers like American Airlines and international airlines.

If you’re willing to pack light and don’t mind a middle seat assignment, Alaska Saver fares can be a comfortable and affordable way to reach the West Coast.

Understanding Fee Structures: What You'll Actually Pay

The biggest mistake budget airline travelers make is comparing base fares without checking the full cost. A simple way to stay ahead: before booking, add up exactly what you’ll need.

  • Frontier: Personal item included. Carry-on bag fee ranges from $30–$65 each way depending on when you buy (cheapest at booking, most expensive at the gate). Checked bags run $35–$60. Seat selection starts around $5–$20, and a drink or snack costs a few dollars.
  • Spirit: Similar fee range, with carry-on bags $26–$65, checked bags $21–$55, and seat fees $1–$50. Spirit often runs promotions where bags are cheaper through the $9 Fare Club.
  • Southwest: Two checked bags included, no change fees. Carry-on included. No seat selection fees (boarding position determined by check-in time, but you can purchase EarlyBird Check-In starting at $15 each way). Southwest’s pricing is near-transparent; you rarely get surprised.
  • Alaska Saver: Personal item only; a carry-on bag costs $30 if you need it. Checked bags not included; first bag typically $30. Seat assignment is auto-assigned at check-in unless you pay extra.

When comparing, calculate the “true total” for your trip. For someone with only a backpack, Frontier or Spirit might win. For a couple with a shared checked bag, Southwest could be hundreds of dollars cheaper than the ultra-low-cost carriers after fees. Tools like Google Flights allow you to see baggage fee estimates right in the search results, but always click through to the carrier’s website for the final price.

Budget airlines from Salt Lake City concentrate on high-demand leisure and business markets. Here’s a snapshot of where each carrier can take you nonstop.

  • Frontier: Denver (multiple daily), Las Vegas, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Orlando, and often seasonal flights to places like San Diego or Cancún (subject to schedule changes).
  • Spirit: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, and occasionally Dallas-Fort Worth or Houston.
  • Southwest: Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles (LAX), and connections across the entire Southwest network.
  • Alaska: Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Boise.

For international budget travel, no airline currently offers a consistent no-frills long-haul flight directly from SLC. Travelers seeking cheap tickets to Europe or Asia will need to connect through a larger hub, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, or even Denver, often on a separate itinerary. Booking a positioning flight on a budget carrier and then switching to a low-cost international airline like Norse Atlantic or PLAY can open up Transatlantic options for far less than a traditional carrier from Salt Lake City. Just leave ample connection time.

How to Find the Cheapest Flights from SLC

Budget airlines run frequent sales, and the lowest fares often appear with little notice. A structured approach to searching dramatically increases your chances of scoring a deal.

Book at the Right Time

For domestic flights, the sweet spot is typically three to six weeks before departure, though this varies. Avoid booking at the last minute; cheapest seats sell out early. Travel during off-peak days—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays—almost always yields lower fares. Early morning or late-night “red-eye” flights also tend to be cheaper. Salt Lake City’s ski season (December through March) tends to push fares higher for all carriers, so if you’re flexible, plan your departure outside the winter high season.

Use Price Alerts and Comparison Tools

Set up price alerts on KAYAK, Skyscanner, or Google Flights for your desired route. These services email you when fares drop. Google Flights also shows a price graph and a date grid so you can easily spot the cheapest days to fly. Because Spirit and Frontier may not appear on all aggregators, it’s worth checking their websites directly as well.

Embrace Flexibility and Mixed Carriers

If you’re willing to fly outbound on one airline and return on another, you might assemble a cheaper itinerary than anything a single carrier offers. For example, fly Frontier to Las Vegas and return on Spirit. Just be mindful that mixing ultra-low-cost carriers means two sets of baggage fees and no protection if one flight is delayed.

Dodging Hidden Fees at the Airport

The ultra-low-cost model relies on ancillary fees. Smart travelers minimize these by acting in advance.

  • Always pre-purchase bags online. Frontier and Spirit charge significantly more for bags added at the airport check-in counter or gate. Buy carry-on and checked baggage during initial booking or at least before online check-in closes.
  • Measure your personal item. Frontier and Spirit strictly enforce size limits (often 18 x 14 x 8 inches). A slightly oversized backpack can trigger a gate fee of $99 or more.
  • Check in on the app. Printing a boarding pass at the airport can carry a fee on some carriers. Use mobile boarding passes.
  • Bring your own snacks and an empty water bottle. No need to pay for onboard refreshments when you can fill up after security.
  • Join the airline’s discount club. Frontier’s Discount Den and Spirit’s Saver$ Club frequently offer enough savings on bags and fares to offset the membership cost on one trip.

Consider Alternative Airports for Extra Savings

Salt Lake City International Airport is the largest airport in the region, but two smaller airports within an hour’s drive sometimes host budget flights that undercut SLC prices.

  • Provo Municipal Airport (PVU): About 45 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City, Provo is served by Allegiant Air, which operates an ultra-low-cost model with direct flights to destinations like Phoenix/Mesa, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Allegiant’s pricing is similar to Frontier and Spirit, and occasional deep discounts can make it worth the drive. Parking at PVU is often cheaper than at SLC.
  • Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD): Located 35 miles north, Ogden currently has limited commercial service, but Allegiant has previously offered routes from here. Check current schedules before relying on OGD.

When evaluating whether a smaller airport makes sense, calculate the total door-to-door cost. Driving to Provo and paying for parking there might still beat the expense of flying from SLC, especially if you’re traveling with a group and can split gas and parking.

Budget Hotels and Ground Transport in Salt Lake City

Keeping trip costs down extends beyond the plane ticket. Salt Lake City offers several ways to save on the ground.

Getting to and from the Airport

SLC is connected to downtown by the TRAX light rail Green Line. The fare is just $2.50 for a one-way ride, and trains run every 15 minutes on weekdays. For families, a rental car can be economical if booked in advance; several companies at SLC offer economy vehicles for under $35 per day. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available but can surge during peak arrival times.

Affordable Accommodation

Budget hotels near the airport and along major freeway corridors start at around $55–$70 per night. Chains like Motel 6, Super 8, La Quinta Inn, and Comfort Inn are plentiful. Downtown has higher rates, but staying a few miles out and using TRAX to reach city attractions can save significantly. Bundling flights and hotels through online travel agencies sometimes yields package discounts, though always compare the combined price to booking separately.

When to Book for Maximum Savings

Beyond the 3–6 week domestic booking window, timing can give you an edge. Airlines often launch fare sales on Tuesday mornings, and competitors frequently match within hours. Set aside a few minutes on Tuesdays to scan your saved routes. Frontier in particular runs “Save on weekends” sales with discounts up to 90% for Discount Den members. Signing up for airline emails and following their social media accounts can alert you to flash sales that last only a day or two.

Salt Lake City sees a seasonal dip in demand during late spring and early fall, when the ski crowds are gone and summer vacations haven’t peaked. Fares tend to be lowest during these shoulder periods. If you can plan a trip in May or September, you’ll often find more seats at lower prices across all budget carriers.

Final Tips for Budget-Minded Travelers

Flying on a budget from Salt Lake City doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Pack a carefully measured personal item, pre-book any extras online, and stay flexible with your dates. Keep an eye on Southwest’s fare sales—when you factor in free checked luggage and no change fees, Southwest frequently beats the ultra-low-cost carriers on total price. For those loyal to a particular airline, co-branded credit cards can accelerate earning toward a free flight or even the Southwest Companion Pass, a powerful tool for halving travel costs.

For the most current route maps and airline contact information, visit the Salt Lake City International Airport's official airlines page. Pair that with a fare aggregator and a little planning, and you’ll be able to fly from SLC to destinations across the country while keeping your wallet intact.