Kansas City Airport (MCI) Flights & Information

Kansas City is known for a lot of things – blues, barbecue, championship football with celebrity fans. And, for years, an oddly designed, uncomfortable airport. That changed in 2023 when Kansas City International Airport (MCI) opened its new terminal, beginning the process of creating one of the most convenient and amenity-filled airports in America.

It is, in essence, a brand-new airport on the same grounds, and has instituted upgrades like public art, streamlined security and immigration, and local food to become one of my favorite airport experiences. While KC isn’t a major hub, it’s still a 2-terminal airport with flights all over the country and to Mexico.

If you find yourself visiting, you might consider taking some extra time to explore all the new airport has to offer. Here’s a look at the best ways of getting around Kansas City International Airport (MCI), and where to go once you get there.

Arriving into the airport

You wouldn’t necessarily think of Kansas City as a place that revolutionizes international air travel, but the MCI Bags First system for international arrivals does wonders to streamline the arrivals process.

Rather than lining up for passport checks straight off the plane, Kansas City has passengers retrieve their bags at baggage claim, which is about 250 steps from the plane exit. This spreads out the number of people arriving at immigration, so those without checked bags go first. Then, the rest of the plane trickles in as their bags arrive.

KC is also delightfully quick with bag delivery, and I’ve never had more than 25 minutes elapse from exiting the plane to exiting the airport, even with a checked bag. Without a checked bag and with Global Entry, you can be out in under 10 minutes.

Domestic arrivals are even simpler. If you arrive in Terminal B, you’ll walk down a long corridor, then downstairs to baggage claim. Stop for a second and take a picture of Molton Swing, a music-inspired sculpture over the escalator made of steel and acrylic. If you’re in Terminal A, you’re already in the same terminal as baggage claim, so just follow the signs downstairs.

Getting to and from MCI by public transportation

Like a lot of American cities, Kansas City isn’t huge on public transportation and it’s not something I’ve ever used to get to the airport. That said, if you’re planning to stay downtown and won’t need a car during your stay, you can take the RideKC bus to downtown, which departs from the Commercial Curb in ground transportation.

Walk outside and turn left, then go all the way to the end of the terminal to post 2A. The bus arrives every hour at about 40 after the hour and takes an hour to get downtown. The bus is free.

You’ll also find a collection of shuttle vans and other ride services on the first curb across from the exit. These are far more efficient if you’re going somewhere other than downtown or don’t have time to take the public bus.

Uber and Lyft leave from the second curb across from the exit. If I’m not renting a car, this is by far the easiest way to get to my destination in KC, and rides aren’t terribly expensive.

Driving to and from the airport

MCI is about 20 minutes from downtown KC via Interstate 29. It’s the most direct route, and even with rush hour traffic will never take you more than 45 minutes. The main parking garage is across 4 lanes of traffic from the terminal and is the best place to park if you’re leaving your own car there.

The walk is less than 5 minutes, so I never need to budget extra time if I’m parking at the airport. The garage has a cost per day, so if that’s too expensive try the economy lots. They are much cheaper and have a free shuttle bus to the terminal – it takes about 10 minutes.

Interstate 435 – the highway loop around the city – also runs right by the airport and intersects with I-29 near the entrance. If you’re somewhere other than downtown that’s the easiest way to arrive. Rental cars are all in one, convenient rental car facility, about a 5-minute shuttle ride from the main terminal. The shuttle runs continuously and picks up right in front of the exit.

Security lines at MCI

The new security system at Kansas City International Airport is convenient with a central security checkpoint for all gates. The checkpoint has 16 lanes, with 6 in a designated TSA PreCheck section. Rarely are all 16 open, save for maybe the Monday after a big Chiefs game or during the holidays.

Still, the airport manages the lanes well, and I’ve rarely waited more than 2 minutes from the time I got in line to putting my bags on the x-ray belt. Without TSA PreCheck, that wait usually won’t be more than 5 minutes.

Souvenir shopping

Kansas City put a huge focus on having local businesses and makers in its new airport and the souvenir shopping reflects that.

My favorite place to find KC-centric merch is Made in Kansas City, filled with everything from sauces to sports memorabilia that’s a little more unique than what you’ll find at Hudson News. Made in KC is right after security, too, so if I want to bring some BBQ sauce or something liquid back as a souvenir, I’ll buy it here so I don’t have to check a bag.

Sports are huge in Kansas City, and if your little niece wants a “I’m rooting for Taylor Swift’s Boyfriend” shirt, this is definitely the place to get it. For more-general shopping, there’s an InMotion right across the walkway from Made in Kansas City.

Best places to eat and drink at MCI

In a lot of cities, the last place you want to try the signature local food is at the airport. Not the case in Kansas City. The airport has 2 commercial smokers onsite, and while it unfortunately doesn’t make the entire terminal smell like brisket, it does afford the airport some fantastic barbecue. The recipes don’t come from some centralized corporate kitchen, either.

The airport holds a barbecue competition among local pitmasters, and the winner has their barbecue served inside the airport. The menu is pretty much the same whether you stop at Meat Mitch right after security or the BBQ spot in Terminal B. You literally can’t go wrong with anything at either spot, and if I need one more fix of smoked meat before leaving KC this scratches that itch.

The City Market Food Hall in Terminal B also has some great options, like Buffalo State Pizza, Taste of Brazil and the Boulevard Brewing Beer Hall. The beer is just as good as at its main KC taproom, though if you don’t want to walk to Terminal B you can hit Martin City Brewing in Terminal A.

Two other experiences I absolutely love at this airport are Jay ‘Hootie’ McShanns Blue Bar – not live music but a cool blues soundtrack to accompany your meal – and the Director’s Cut Take 2 Barbershop. I’m not usually one to get my haircut at the airport, but the place has a full bar and super friendly barbers. If you just need a touch up before a big business trip, wait and get it here.

Lounges at the airport

Right now, the Delta Sky Club is the only lounge at Kansas City International Airport and it’s located in Terminal B. It’s 11,500 square feet and a delightful respite from the terminal if you happen to be flying Delta. It has an open bar, full buffet and more seating than it could ever fill. That said, if you’re not flying Delta you have no lounge options at MCI.

Pet relief areas

Another big bonus of being one of the newest airport terminals in the country is an abundance of pet relief areas. MCI has 2 post-security pet relief areas, so you won’t have any “where can my pet go” anxiety once you get through TSA. They’re both indoors, near Gates A8 and B54, convenient from pretty much any gate in either terminal.

If you arrive off an international flight and relieving your pet is the first order of business, MCI has a convenient relief area within customs and immigration right outside Gate A18. You’ll also find the airport’s lone outdoor pet relief area on the north end of the terminal, right outside baggage claim.