With a handful of major sporting events that promise to divert even more attention toward Kansas City-including the NFL Draft in 2023 and the World Cup in 2026-this new terminal couldn't come at a better time. cities like Indianapolis and San Antonio and already has plans to launch a new route to Long Beach, California, in March. Alongside the new infrastructure, MCI will also begin operating domestic routes that had paused during the pandemic to U.S.

CST on February 28, the terminal will immediately begin operating out of 40 gates (up from the old airport’s 31), with 150 daily departures that include increased frequencies from Delta and Southwest Airlines. The building has a polished feel that will impress the international jet set, but it also has charming nods to its home city at every turn-the Missouri blue birds hidden in the art installations, the in-laid floor mosaics salvaged from one of the old terminals, the bottles of local barbecue sauce for sale next to magazines and airplane snacks.

Indeed, it is virtually impossible to forget you’re in Kansas City when you’re here-and not just because the smell of barbecue smokers often wafts down the concourse halls. “The terminal really shows off what our community looks like,” said Jessica Palm, VP of Marketing at the Kansas City Area Development Council, during the media tour of the airport. Those aforementioned concrete terminals have given way to a clean and modern million-square-foot structure filled with permanent art exhibits and outposts of beloved Kansas City restaurants and shops, not to mention warm terrazzo floors and sleek walls made from Missouri limestone. The new MCI terminal is clearly more than just a pretty face-but the sheer curb appeal is an undeniable selling point. Art installations and barbecue restaurants (The designers even brought in a retired Airbus to use in the simulation.) Whether it’s a family traveling with neurodivergent children or a solo traveler with aerophobia, anyone is welcome to book the experience online before their travel day. But perhaps the coolest new feature is the Kansas City Air Travel Experience Simulation, a room that lets travelers walk through every part of the flying experience before actually heading to their gate-including scanning tickets, walking down the jetbridge, stowing their suitcases, and watching the in-flight safety videos. The terminal also offers 10 nursing rooms, service animal relief areas, all-inclusive play areas for children, and a sensory room-a calming space for neurodivergent travelers.

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