Your essential guide to KCI Airport’s new terminal: Parking, food, security, plus a map
In just days, Kansas City will have a new gateway to the metro area with the opening of the new $1.5 billion single terminal at Kansas City International Airport.
Travelers will begin departing from and arriving at the new terminal on Tuesday, ushering in a new experience for passengers using KCI.
Gone will be the outmoded horseshoe-shaped terminals that once touted “drive to your gate” convenience. That design became obsolete by the time KCI opened due to skyjackings and later by enhanced security following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Kansas City voters approved the construction of the new single terminal in November 2017 and groundbreaking on the terminal was celebrated on March 25, 2019.
Since then, Kansas Citians have had many questions about the new terminal: Where will we park? How long will it take to get from the garage to the gate? What will there be to eat?
To help readers prepare for the new experience, The Star has put together this comprehensive guide to KCI’s new terminal.
Parking questions answered
Just across from the new terminal, a seven-story parking garage was built that has 6,219 spaces, including 85 handicapped accessible spots and 52 electric vehicle charging stations.
Valet parking will be offered by entering Level Three of the garage from the departures road.
The parking garage can be access just past the turn off for Departures and arrivals. Technology will help guide drivers by using red and green color-coded LED lights above parking spaces, giving them a visual cue to open spaces and limiting the need to hunt for a spot.
It will cost $25 a day to park in the parking garage. For those parking for shorter periods, the cost is $1 for the first 30 minutes, $3 for those parking under 1 hour, and $3 per additional hour up to 8 hours. Valet parking is $32 a day, or $12 for up to 4 hours and $4 per additional hour up to 8 hours.
For those seeking a cheaper alternative, Economy Parking will still be offered. The lots identified as A and C will be combined. Shuttle stops in the new lot will be identified as E1 through E17. Blue Bus service will take travelers to and from the new terminal.
For more about parking, see: Got questions about parking at KCI Airport’s new terminal? The Star has answers
How long will it take from garage to gate?
It’s a common concern people raise when comparing the convenience of KCI’s former terminals to the new one.
So much so, one of the first comments on Mayor Quinton Lucas’ Facebook post revealing the Feb. 28 opening date of the terminal dealt with that point.
“A moment of silence for those of us who will no longer be able to roll up to the airport five minutes before boarding time,” the person wrote.
But it might not take as long as people fear to walk from their cars to their planes, according to Justin Meyer, deputy director of aviation for the Kansas City Aviation Department.
In early February, Meyer posted on Twitter that he made it from a vehicle in the parking garage to the farthest gate on Concourse B in just over seven minutes.
That did not include time for going through security.
Departures and security
Passengers being dropped off will take the upper level road to the departure curbs. Signs identify where airlines are located and there are four entrances to the new terminal.
Travelers will check in either at the airline counters or self-service kiosks in the large departure hall. After dropping off any checked bags, passengers then head through security, which has 16 lanes in the middle of the ticketing area.
The security checkpoint will be different from what KCI travelers are accustomed to. There will be 16 lanes on opening day with the ability to add two more in the future. That compares to the 14 lanes in the existing terminals.
The checkpoint is expected to be staffed to meet travel demands, meaning that during peak travel times during the morning, the checkpoint will be fully staffed. Later in the day when there’s a lull in travel, the security team is able to fluctuate their staffing.
It will include a dedicated space for TSA PreCheck passengers, an improvement over the existing terminals where PreCheck passengers are intermingled with regular passengers at some gates.
The airport also has a partnership with Clear for its trusted traveler program, which also helps travelers get through security faster.
Airport officials will still urge travelers to arrive with plenty of time to make their flights. For those requiring help like checking bags or checking in, that recommendation is two hours ahead of time.
Eating, drinking and shopping
One of the biggest changes that passengers will see is the different places to eat, drink and shop in the new terminal. There will be nearly 50 locations, many with familiar local brands.
The concessions were made to reflect the Kansas City region. Unlike the existing terminals, where the concessions options was limited to which airline you were flying, the majority of options in the new terminal are beyond the security checkpoint were passengers spend most of their time.
For more details on the food and shopping options, read a full list compiled by The Star.
A map of the terminal
Airport officials have released maps of the terminal in multiple formats, including this interactive version online.
Map of Kansas City International Airport's new terminal by The Kansas City Star on Scribd
To help prepare people for the new experience, airport officials released several videos explaining what to expect.
See: From drop-offs to restrooms, videos explain how to use new Kansas City airport terminal
Just days before the terminal opens, Kansas City International Airport’s unveiled a new website www.flykc.com.
Art in the airport
The new terminal also features the largest public art project in Kansas City’s history.
Funding for the $5.6 million of newly commissioned art that is on display came from the city’s One Percent for Art Program.
About 30 artists were commissioned to create new art that is on display throughout the terminal and parking garage. A majority of the artists are based in Kansas City or have significant ties to the area.
James Martin, Kansas City’s public art administrator, said in an interview in May that the importance of public art is that it makes it “place worth living,” a “place worth exploring” and a “place worth raving about to others.”
To see the public’s initial response to the new terminal, check out The Star’s coverage of opening day (‘It legitimizes Kansas City’: First visitors at KCI terminal call the project a success) and simulation day (How is the new KCI terminal? Here’s what Kansas City travelers said after a test run).
