A new travel experience will be treated to those traveling through Kansas City International Airport (MCI) from February 28th, as the airport plans to open its new 40-gate terminal. The $1.5 billion project broke ground in March 2019, and even with a global pandemic, the project remained on schedule.

Last flight from the old terminal

With operations moving to the new facility on February 28th, the last flight from the B and C terminals will be bound for Chicago Midway. Southwest's WN3369 will depart from Kansas at 22:25, signaling the end of the 1970s-designed facility.

Staff will relocate aircraft, kiosks, and other airline equipment overnight into the new terminal, readying for its first flight. The airport will commence operations three days earlier than expected, with a publicized opening date of March 3rd. The airport notes that this was a strategic move to start operations on February 28th, a Tuesday where on average, 30% fewer travelers pass through the airport, which will allow the airport and airline staff to adjust to their new surroundings.

All departures now from one terminal

The airport will now operate as a single terminal. All operations will be from the new facility. Departures will be from the upper level, with arrivals on the lower. The 1.1 million square foot terminal promises travelers a refreshed, unique experience, with 16 dedicated security lanes, glass boarding bridges, and 50 food and beverage outlets.

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Unique art and design

The largest public art project ever undertaken in Kansas City has resulted in 28 unique art installations scattered throughout the terminal, such as a nine-piece travel jazz band, which is a nod to the history of Kansas City's music scene.

KCI-Garage View_04
Photo: Build KCI

Food and drink from the City Market.

The new terminals replica of the City Market is where passengers will find a range of food and beverage outlets, including Buffalo State Pizza Co & Bar and Bo Lings. The smell of smoked meat will also linger throughout the terminal, with a 2,400-pound smoker installed for Smoke'n Magic.

All gender bathrooms

In addition to gender-specific bathrooms, the airport has family facilities, and all gender bathrooms are located near all major intersections within the new terminal, with touchless washing stations.

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Where to go?

Details on where to head for your next flight at MCI can be found below, with an outline of where airlines gates are located:

  • B-north: Gates B40 to B52, home to Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
  • B-south: Gates B54 to B69, poised for Southwest Airlines.
  • A-north: Gates A1 to A10, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines will operate from here (the oneworld Alliance wing).
  • A-south: Gates A12 to A20, finally for all other airlines, including arriving international flights.
KCI-Garage_View_05a
Photo: Build KCI

Bringing the airport into the 21st century will be a welcome relief for loyal travelers through Kansas City, with the original horse-shoe-designed terminal made quickly confusing where to be dropped off before a flight. A thoughtfully designed, modern, clean, and spacious new terminal is all part of a string of infrastructure improvements for airports nationwide.

Sources: Thepointsguy, Kansas City, Fox4KC, BuildKCI