Kansas City International Airport Guide

Kansas City International Airport sits in Platte County, Missouri, 24 km northwest of downtown Kansas City. Opened in November 1972, the airport served the metro area from three circular terminals for five decades before consolidating into a single $1.5 billion terminal in February 2023. The new facility has 40 gates across two concourses and a single security checkpoint with 16 lanes.

Southwest Airlines accounts for nearly half of all passenger traffic, with Delta, American, and United making up most of the remainder. MCI offers nonstop service to over 50 domestic markets plus select international routes to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The airport set an all-time passenger record in 2024, surpassing 12.1 million travelers.

The airport covers more than 10,600 acres and operates three runways. Its location keeps it free of the congestion common to larger hub airports, and the new terminal's compact design means most passengers move from curb to gate in under 10 minutes.