Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is pushing forward with constructing a new terminal at the airport. As part of the airport's push to offer a significantly improved passenger experience compared to the existing facilities, the new MCI is also gaining the attention of various airlines who see a host of new ways to up their game in Kansas City. Last week, the City Council of Kansas City approved a lease that sets up MCI to receive a brand new lounge from Delta Air Lines.

Kansas City set to receive a new Sky Club

The City Council of Kansas City approved an action last week to authorize a new lease for approximately 11,000 square feet in the new terminal at MCI to construct a new Sky Club. Delta will assume the lease and construct, maintain, and operate the space in the new terminal. The lease term is for ten years and has two renewal terms of five years each.

The lounge will be available for passenger use in the new terminal at the airport. Details on construction and the timeline should be available in the coming months as Kansas City moves forward on the construction of the new terminal. However, there are some signs that this Sky Club could be impressive. Delta has been steadily opening new airline lounges. The new lounges have offered a bar with premium cocktails, expanded seating and charging spaces, and, where possible, outdoor viewing decks. This is on top of all of the local flair Delta has been bringing into the lounges.

Delta's Sky Club in Fort Lauderdale
Delta's Sky Club in Fort Lauderdale. Photo: Delta Air Lines

Delta in Kansas City

Kansas City is not a hub for Delta Air Lines, but it is still a major airport for the airline. According to data from Cirium, Delta has scheduled flights from Kansas City to the following destinations:

  • Atlanta (ATL)
  • Boston (BOS)
  • Detroit (DTW)
  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • New York (LGA)
  • Minneapolis (MSP)
  • Seattle (SEA)
  • Salt Lake City (SLC)
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Delta's MCI network is entirely domestic. Photo: Cirium

In December 2021, Delta Air Lines is not the largest airline in Kansas City. That distinction goes to Southwest Airlines, which has 1,286 flights out of MCI this month, with nearly 194,000 seats scheduled. American Airlines comes second, with over 85,000 seats scheduled across 812 flights. Delta comes in third place with 82,773 seats scheduled across 677 flights.

Delta's Sky Club is the airline's lounge facility for its premium international customers, members, and select others. Unlike other airlines, Delta only has one lounge option. Sky Clubs are relatively common across the Delta network. Several non-hub cities have Sky Clubs, including Austin, Chicago, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Memphis, New Orleans, San Diego, and more.

While adding a Sky Club in Kansas City could be a sign that Delta has plans for growth at MCI, it does not necessarily mean that the airline is looking to create a new hub at the airport, and it likely will not. Instead, Delta is looking to offer a space for its loyal and premium customers at the airport.

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Delta's Sky Clubs are designed to target its most loyal and premium travelers. Photo: Delta Air Lines

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Kansas City is on the right track

Kansas City does not have any airport lounges currently. Much of this has to do with the way the terminal was constructed. Back in 1972, when the airport opened, it was designed to service TWA and its "drive-to-gate" concept. That became outdated just 26 days after the airport opened its doors to the public and flights when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instituted a passengers and baggage screening requirement before boarding.

Kansas City's horseshoe structure offered few passenger amenities and little space for a new lounge. As a result, the airport suffered from a passenger experience. As airports across the country opened new, shiny terminals with more passenger amenities, Kansas City started to hatch redevelopment plans. It settled on building a new terminal on the site of the old Terminal A, which has been out of use. This new facility will have a single terminal with more room for passenger-friendly amenities, including an airline lounge.

Moving forward, Kansas City is on the right track to being a modern, 21st-century airport. With Delta adding a lounge, it could be the impetus for other airlines or third-party lounge operators to look at opportunities to add premium spaces in Kansas City.