First travelers through Kansas City’s new airport wowed. ‘It’s incredible’

Kansas City’s new gateway to the metro area took flight on Tuesday with the opening of the new $1.5 billion single terminal at Kansas City International Airport.

Travelers began departing from and arriving at the new terminal early Tuesday morning, ushering in a new experience for passengers using KCI.

Gone is the outmoded horseshoe-shaped terminals that once touted “drive to your gate” convenience, a design which became obsolete by the time KCI opened due to skyjackings and later by enhanced security following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Instead, travelers are being treated to a new airport experience with all new amenities. Although the new 1.1 million-square-foot terminal was built during the COVID-19 pandemic as construction materials became scarce and their costs soared, it was completed on budget and opened a few days early.

Early Tuesday morning, passengers arrived for the first flight out of the new terminal, a 5 a.m. trip to Chicago, and airport crews cheered the first plane taking off — A Southwest Airlines jet named Missouri One for the state flag emblem painted on the sides.

‘A huge improvement’

Updated 1:50 p.m. Kathy King has 20 years of flight attendant experience under her belt. Living in Kansas City, she flew out of the old KCI terminals often. She remembers walking through the wind and rain to arrive at the airport’s front doors for work. Now, the pathway is completely covered -- a needed improvement, she said.

King wasn’t flying on this day, but still, she wanted to see the new terminal. She retired from Southwest in 2020. On Tuesday, she gathered at the terminal with other retired airline staff who were similarly impressed.

“It’s a huge improvement,” King said. “A very successful, workable design.”

She’s seen her share of airports, from Dallas to Chicago. Most of them are laid out similarly to the new terminal, she said. The new building reminds her in many ways of the airport in Fort Myers, Florida.

Her group noticed the only restaurant outside security was Dunkin’ Donuts, and thought it was a little inconvenient. King, however, thinks it’s an intentional safety decision to prevent loiterers from gathering at the airport.

King believes the airport’s advancements foretell the changes ahead on Kansas City’s horizon.

“This is all great for Kansas City,” she said. “We’ve got a crazy two-and-a-half months with the NFL draft and March Madness, but I think it’s going to leave our town in a different way.”

Mostly smooth first day

Updated 12:25 p.m. Opening day for the new KCI terminal has gone smoothly for the most part, said Justin Meyer, deputy director of aviation for the Kansas City Aviation Department shortly before noon.

Any glitches have been minor, like a broken door hinge that needs replacing, he said.

There has been an issue with signage directing departing passengers up to the departures level from the ground transportation curb on the arrivals level, he noted. That’s resulted in some bus riders wandering around looking for directions on where to go.

Airport officials have a design team working on new signs that will be in place Wednesday morning, Meyer said.

Security in 5 minutes or less

Updated 12:10 p.m. Security checkpoints are a common point of stress for travelers. But, Mark Howell, a spokesman with the Transportation Security Administration, said opening morning at the new KCI terminal saw virtually no wait times.

After months of preparation, staff helped travelers flow through the lines and into the terminal’s new, spacious halls.

“It was five minutes or less, all through the busy period this morning,” he said.

However, he’s learned the airport may need more signage directing fliers to appropriate lanes. Some customers expressed confusion as to which lines were designated for pre-check, so they’re hoping to put up more prominent signs to direct foot traffic soon.

Despite the minor hiccup, Howell said the day met his expectations. Many travelers said they were grateful for lanes dedicated to pre-check travelers. These were absent in much of the old terminal, Howell said.

The new terminal’s layout is largely responsible for the morning’s success, Howell said. He contends the design lends itself to a smoother security experience.

“One of the nice things about the new terminal is it brings a lot more efficiency to us, because we’ve got all of our resources in one spot,” he said. “In the old terminal, we had multiple checkpoints that only serviced a few gates each, so we’re finding efficiency in it already.”

‘A new front door’

Updated 12:00 p.m. Former city councilman Jermaine Reed, who was on the terminal selection committee, said he was holding back tears on the opening day of the new KCI terminal.

“It’s just transformational for our entire community,” said Reed, who was one of the passengers on the first arriving flight Tuesday morning.

“It’s a new front door for folks from all over the world to come see.”

Reed said this is a great day for Kansas City and he was glad to have been a part of it.

‘A once in a lifetime thing’

Updated 11:50 a.m. “Why?” A puzzled Jere Sellers asked when his wife Veronica said she wanted to book seats on the last flight out of the old terminals and the first flight into the new one.

“It’s a once in a lifetime thing,” she said. “So many memories are created from travel and this was another one.”

They had more fun they ever imagined on the overnight trip. For them, it was a way to say goodbye to the old terminals and hello to the new one.

“Then she had the idea for these shirts,” Jere Sellers said.

“I am always her sous chef,” he said. “I let her come up with the ideas and then I help.”

The shirt says, “Goodbye old KCI, Hello new KCI.”

They have blue arrows that complete a circle. On the back is their flight information and dates.

They had yet to tour the new terminal, but first they were going to check out the restrooms.

“You think about the experience in the old airport, they were cramped and there weren’t very many,” Veronica Sellers said. “We hear it’s really great here.”

She doesn’t think she’ll miss the old terminals.

“There’s a lot of good memories there, but it was time to bring a new airport (terminal) — it really was,” she said. “We’re ready for the next chapter of travels. It’ll be great.”

A family affair

Updated 11:40 a.m. Karson Lewis of St. Joseph, Missouri, convinced his parents, Robin and Gregg, to book them all tickets on the first flight out on opening day of the new KCI terminal.

“It’s history,” Robin Lewis said. Her son had followed the building of the terminal, and once the opening day was announced, he started looking for the first flight out.

The family planned just a day trip to Chicago, and were returning in the afternoon.

“It’s a lot different,” Karson Lewis said. “People will be excited when they get here.”

Will KC run on Dunkin’?

Updated 11:35 a.m. On opening morning at the new KCI terminal, a couple of investors with private equity firm VantEdge meander through check-in lines and baggage claim conveyor belts.

They aren’t flying today. They’re here to check out the terminal, but also to answer one crucial question — will Kansas City run on Dunkin’?

VantEdge invests in the company that franchises Kansas City Dunkin’ Donuts, so they’re hoping the answer is “yes.”

The new airport terminal has two, one on each side of security. They were among the first customers, and they watch hopefully as a line forms.

Dunkin’ Donuts has slowly gained local traction in the metro in the last 10 years, and they hope its presence in the airport will establish it as a KC staple.

“It resonates with customers,” director of VantEdge Peter Fields said. “Kansas City just hasn’t been exposed to it as much.”

‘It’s history’

Updated 10:50 a.m. Dawn Taylor and Elizabeth Rosin, both from Kansas City, flew to Chicago Monday afternoon so they could catch the flight that would be the first to land at KCI’s new terminal.

“It’s history,” Rosin said, who added that they wanted to be part of this momentous day for Kansas City. “It was just something fun and different to do. How many times in your life do you have a chance to do something like this?”

It was a quick spur of the moment decision to be part of Kansas City history, Taylor added, as they drank mimosas they were handed upon arrival.

“We are excited for this new airport (terminal),” Taylor said.

This was Rosin’s first time in the new terminal.

“I have no idea where I am right now,” said Rosin, who had not seen the terminal before. “I have no idea where to go.”

Taylor attended the open house and she was ready to explore the shops and restaurants now that they were open.

“We’re going to grab breakfast now before we head out,” Rosin interjected.

Rosin will miss the old terminals because of the architecture and design.

“I’m super excited for this one,” Rosin said. “I cannot wait to walk through the terminal and see the art and the lightness and brightness of it. It is just going to be really exciting.”

‘It’s incredible’

Updated 10:20 a.m. James Larson, 42, of Overland Park, spent Monday night sleeping on the floor at Midway International Airport in Chicago.

He was thrilled.

In a decision that his wife proclaimed as “crazy,” Larson decided to book the last flight out of the old KCI terminals, and the first flight into the new KCI.

By Tuesday morning, as his adventure came to an end, he rode the bus back to economy parking, with multiple gift bags in hand, explaining excitedly to other passengers how great the new airport is.

Despite months, if not years, of media hype around the new airport, Larson avoided looking at any photos or mock-ups of the new space. He had wanted it to be a complete surprise, as someone would coming from out of town.

His first impression stepping off his Southwest flight this morning?

“It’s incredible.”

“There’s art everywhere. The old airport was really dark; this one, there’s just light everywhere,” he said.

Larson was impressed by the all-glass jet bridge that first greeted him, a feature he’s seen most often in European airports.

He wasn’t the only one who had a wild idea to spend his night and morning in the sky, and at KCI. Monday night’s flight had about 50 passengers, Larson said, many of whom had the same plan he did.

While he and others opted to just stay put at Midway and sleep, some of the members of their flight found a sports bar downtown and partied into the early hours of the night before catching the flight back to Kansas City.

Was it worth it?

“Oh yeah,” Larson said. “I honestly feel like it was the nerdiest thing I’ve ever done, and I would totally do it again,” he said with a laugh.

Larson said they arrived back in KC Tuesday morning to mimosas and goody bags filled with Chicago popcorn and a certificate marking them part of the original flight.

After deboarding, Larson took his pick of new terminal restaurants and chowed down on a tasty breakfast burrito from Leawood-based Meat Mitch Barbecue as he reflected on the experience.

As a local who took his first flight out of KCI at just two weeks old, Larson admits a part of him will miss the old airport and the ease with which he could walk up close to takeoff and make his flight.

“It’s OK to love the old, but also acknowledge that we needed a new, and the new one’s just incredible,” he said. “I’m excited for what it means for the future. I hope that airlines will see what Kansas City is doing and continue to add more and more routes.”

Next, he’d love to see more direct flights to Europe.

“It just shows that Kansas City is a growing city that’s willing to invest in the future.”

A step up for Kansas City

Updated 10:10 a.m. Haylie Hensley and her boyfriend Ashton Liberty from Kansas City flew out on the last flight leaving the old terminals Monday, and returned on the first flight to the new terminal.

“It was neat because we got here around, say the old terminal around like 8 o’clock and so we went around and we just toured to say goodbye to the old terminal because he works at the airport,” Hensley said.

After the last farewell, they went to their gate where Southwest was having a party, handing out souvenirs, cookies and a physical ticket that noted the historical significance of the flight.

”It was just really cool,” Hensley said.

Once they got to Chicago, they stayed at the airport and slept in the terminal at their gate, before boarding the first flight back to the new KCI terminal.

Liberty, who works for a company that provides wheelchair service, has been inside the new terminal before. They both explored the terminal during the open house a few days ago.

“There are some new places that weren’t open during the open house, so I think we’re going to explore those,” Hensley said.

Liberty has already formed an opinion about the new terminal.

“It’s beautiful and I love it,” Liberty said. “It’s a step up for Kansas City and our future for air travel.”

Rolling out the red carpet

Updated 9:55 a.m. Amania Drane of Darien, Illinois, had no idea she’d booked the first flight into Kansas City’s new terminal. It was purely a coincidence that the day she needed to come into Kansas City was a historic moment for the airport.

Imagine her surprise, then, when they rolled out the red carpet — literally — as she stepped onto the plane from Chicago.

Here for volunteer work, she was given a royal welcome into the city. She received Garrett Popcorn by the Chicago crew, and arrived to and pom poms and music.

Drane’s doubtlessly had a lucky flight experience, and one that’s left a lasting impression.

“It’s a beautiful airport,” she said. “The food smells good even at 6 a.m.”

Artwork elevates airport

Updated 9:35 a.m. Jeffrey Ray, 60, was excited his work trip Tuesday to South Carolina would give him an early look at KCI’s new artwork.

“I hope it elevated (the airport) to something special for Kansas City,” said Ray, adding that he’s proud the city decided to commission so many local artists.

Ray, who lives in Kansas City and works at the Department of Justice, said he was also a bit apprehensive of any large crowds of curious onlookers he might encounter while navigating the new airport Tuesday. But at least his bus ride from the economy lot started off with few other people.

Ray, who has been flying out of KCI since about 1985, said after 9/11, the security layout of the old airport was made pretty inefficient.

“I’m hoping that they have given serious thought to logistics so it will be much smoother,” he said.

As the airport bus rolled closer to the terminal, he added that the airport sends a message to those near and far:

“Kansas City is not a static, dying town. It’s willing to invest in the future, it’s willing to take risks … to me it was an investment that made sense because you have to be thinking not just about the next five years but about the next forty years.”

Avid for aviation

Updated 9:15 a.m. Phil Hayes of Kansas City calls himself “a bit of an aviation nerd.”

He wanted to be an aerospace engineer growing up, and though he ended up going into accounting, he‘s still fascinated by planes and airports. He’s a frequent traveler and aerospace museum-goer.

So when KCI took its last flight out of the old terminal, he wanted to be there. He wanted to be there on its first flight in, too.

He spent a short night in the airport just so he could board the flight early the next morning. Most people on his flight had the same plans, he said.

The once-in-a-lifetime venture will surely boost his credibility in aviation fan circles. After all, Hayes says, how many people can say they’ve taken the last flight out of a terminal? Very few.

“Can’t really say that I’ve been on a last flight out of an airport, and I don’t think it will ever be something I can do again in my life,” he said.

Eager for new airport experience

Updated 8:40 a.m. Donna Kiel, 62, of Topeka, showed up about two and a half hours early with her husband to catch a flight to Florida for a conference.

As they stood in the economy lot waiting for a bus at about 8 am, Kiel said she was excited but also a bit nervous.

She was a little apprehensive walking into the grand opening, which just happened to coincide with their first flight in about a year. She hopes any glitches that may exist today are smoothed out quickly.

Mostly, Kiel said she’s eager for her airport experience to be nicer, cleaner and more comfortable. Even though she’s not a frequent flier, she hopes the new terminal sends a message to those taking to the sky across the country.

“I hope it projects the theory or the idea that Kansas and Missouri can compete with the bigger airports,” she said. “It speaks to our economy and our progressiveness here. So I think that’s great, because people always call Kansas a flyover state.”

Asked if there’s anything she’ll miss about the new airport, she quickly responded, “no.”

“We’ve never had a bad experience in that airport. Things always ran smoothly, but it was a little run down, a little difficult to navigate sometimes, so I’m hoping that will be improved.”

Last flight out, first flight in

Updated 8:25 a.m. Some travelers couldn’t resist the urge to make sure they booked the last flight out of the old KCI terminal, and the first flight into the new one.

At 2:30 p.m. yesterday, Kansas City native Rebecca Earp was feeling sentimental. So, she booked a last minute flight — the final flight out of KCI’s old terminal.

This morning, she left Chicago for home again.

The old terminal holds many bittersweet memories. Her first solo flight. Traveling with her parents. Flying to funerals, weddings and family visits.

She remembers a snow storm when her niece, now a freshman in college, was just 8. They were attempting to fly out when a delayed flight ended up not taking off that day.

Earp told her, “There’s nobody else I’d rather be stuck in an airport with.” Her niece was enjoying time with her aunt and said it didn’t seem like they were stuck. Earp agreed.

“[The airport] gets you to special really special places that can change your life … places that wouldn’t have even been possible if you didn’t have a flight,” she said.

Stepping off the plane, she was greeted by mimosas, champagne, and a welcoming crew — the perfect end and an exciting beginning.

“I’m really glad I did it,” she said.

Opening day at KCI, in photos

Updated 8:09 a.m. The new $1.5 billion single terminal at KCI opened for business Tuesday after being under construction for the past four years. See photos of the first day of air travel at the new terminal.

6 minutes, 26 seconds

Updated 7:50 a.m. In KCI Airport’s economy parking lots, shuttle buses had not yet filled with passengers early Tuesday. At one stop in Economy Lot A, it took 6 minutes and 26 seconds for a bus to come by after the last one had departed. A sign at the stop says buses run here every 20 minutes.

‘Officially open’

Updated 7:37 a.m. City Manager Brian Platt posted photos of the new KCI airport terminal early Tuesday morning. “Kansas City your new airport is officially open! Y’all are going to love this place,” he wrote.

Travelers arrive at new terminal

Updated 7:30 a.m. Travelers arrived in the the check-in hall at KCI’s new terminal on its first day of operations Tuesday. Some took advantage of the Dunkin’ Donuts location — one of many new food and drink options at the terminal.

BBQ at KCI

Updated 7:09 a.m. Staff were busy cooking early Tuesday at Smoke ‘n Magic, a barbecue restaurant that is one of the food concessions at the new KCI terminal. Workers said they were preparing 21 racks of ribs — a guess at how much would be needed for this first day at the new airport facility.

Final hours at former KCI terminal

Updated 6:37 a.m. Kansas City woke up Tuesday to the spectacle of a brand new airport terminal. The new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport served its first passengers with the boarding of a flight to Chicago around 5 a.m.

For that to happen the old terminal had to have its final moments as a functioning facility for passengers to arrive and depart as they have there for more than 50 years.

About four hours before flights started at the new terminal, the final arrival at the old KCI terminal was a Delta flight from Salt Lake City that arrived at Terminal B.

The Star was there to capture the final hours of operations at the old KCI terminal in photos.

A festive flight

Updated 6:24 a.m. Balloons, heart-shaped doughnuts and other treats were available for Southwest Airlines passengers waiting to board the first flight out of KCI’s new terminal.

First flight takes off

Updated 6:14 a.m. The first flight departing from Kansas City International Airport’s new terminal, Southwest Airlines Flight 904, took off for Chicago Tuesday morning. Airport workers clapped, cheered and whistled as the plane, called Missouri One for the state flag design painted on it, took off.

Boarding announcements for first flight

Updated 5:58 a.m. Staff made boarding announcements for the first flight out of the new terminal, Southwest Flight 904 to Chicago.

First plane departing new terminal

Updated 5:28 a.m. Southwest’s Missouri One was the first aircraft to depart from the new terminal. Crews prepared it Tuesday morning.

First flight

Updated 5:22 a.m. The first flight from the new terminal, Southwest Flight 904 to Chicago, was scheduled to depart at 5 a.m.

Places to eat, drink, shop, enjoy

One of the biggest changes for travelers is all the new places to eat, drink and shop in the new terminal. There are nearly 50 locations, many with familiar local brands.

The concessions were made to reflect the Kansas City region. Unlike the former terminals, where concessions options were limited beyond security, most options in the new terminal are beyond the security checkpoint where passengers spend most of their time.

For more details on the food and shopping options, read a full list compiled by The Star.

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 throughout the terminal and parking garage. A majority of the artists are based in Kansas City or have ties to the area.

Parking

Across from the new terminal, a seven-story parking garage was built with 6,219 spaces, including 85 handicapped accessible spots and 52 electric vehicle charging stations. It also has valet parking options. The new garage features technology to help guide drivers by using red and green color-coded LED lights above parking spaces, giving them a visual cue to open spaces.

It costs $25 a day to park in the parking garage, with options to park for shorter periods at reduced rates. Economy Parking will still be offered.

For more about parking, see: Got questions about parking at KCI Airport’s new terminal? The Star has answers

Time needed to travel

Getting through the new terminal quickly is helped by a new security checkpoint set-up, which as of opening day includes 16 lanes with the ability to add two more in the future. That compares to 14 lanes in the old terminals.

It also includes a dedicated space for TSA PreCheck passengers, an improvement over the previous terminals where PreCheck passengers were intermingled with regular passengers at some gates.

The airport also has a partnership with Clear for its trusted traveler program, which helps travelers get through security faster.

In fact, airport officials have tried to put to rest any notions that getting from garage to gate will take longer in the new terminal. In early February, Justin Meyer, deputy director of aviation for the Kansas City Aviation Department 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.

Of course, that did not include time for going through security.

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

Before the new terminal opened, Kansas City International Airport also unveiled a new website flykc.com.