The flow characteristics of gas thrust bearings with slot restrictors were studied. The gas flow field pressure distribution formula, mass flow equations and optimal stiffness conditions were derived from the equations of motion, continuity equation and the equation of state, and the carrying capacity and stiffness of the bearing were calculated under certain parameter conditions. The theoretical analysis and calculation results show that under the conditions with other same parameters, the both of its carrying capacity and mass flow increase with increasing of the width of its slot, but decreases with the depth of its slot increasing. Under the same other structural conditions as well, with the increasing of the depth of the slot, the corresponding maximum stiffness to a gas film thickness gradually decreases, while the maximum stiffness increase. With slot width decreasing, the maximum stiffness to a gas film thickness gradually decreases, and the maximum stiffness increases.