MCI

Kansas City Airport (MCI) Flights & Information

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Kansas City Airport (MCI) Flight Information

Find helpful information about Kansas City Airport (MCI) to aid in your flight search on Cheapflights.

Airport code

MCI

Daily departures

1,953

Daily arrivals

1,850

Most popular destination

ORD (Chicago)

Cheapest destination

MKE (Milwaukee)

Average flight price

$487
Average number of daily flights departing from MCI
Average number of daily flights to MCI
Average for round-trip flights in November 2024

Kansas City Airport Guide

Matt Meltzer
October 8, 2024

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.

This Cheapflights-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.

Cheap flights to Kansas City Airport in November and December 2024

Find deals on flights to Kansas City Airport (MCI) in November and December 2024. Deals are based on recent searches Cheapflights users made over the past 12 months. Click “Pick Dates” to customize your flight criteria, and browse current flight deals from travel providers.
Thu 12/194:59 pmDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 39mFrontier
Fri 12/202:53 pmMCI - DEN
Nonstop2h 04mFrontier
Deal found 11/21$74
Tue 12/3110:16 amLAX - MCI
Nonstop3h 16mMultiple Airlines
Sun 1/58:28 pmMCI - LAX
1 stop6h 02mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/21$131
Wed 12/2510:16 amLAX - MCI
Nonstop3h 16mSpirit Airlines
Wed 1/14:37 pmMCI - LAX
Nonstop3h 41mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/21$136
Thu 12/129:02 pmEWR - MCI
1 stop17h 32mSpirit Airlines
Mon 12/162:29 pmMCI - EWR
1 stop8h 55mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/20$153
Mon 12/97:25 amORD - MCI
1 stop10h 10mFrontier
Mon 12/166:25 pmMCI - ORD
1 stop18h 24mFrontier
Deal found 11/20$158
Sat 12/149:00 pmDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 40mUnited Airlines
Mon 12/166:00 amMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 58mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/20$175
Wed 12/111:20 pmDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 35mSouthwest
Wed 12/117:05 pmMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 50mSouthwest
Deal found 11/20$184
Fri 12/139:53 pmORD - MCI
1 stop15h 41mMultiple Airlines
Mon 12/166:25 pmMCI - ORD
1 stop18h 24mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/21$192
Fri 12/610:34 amBOS - MCI
1 stop12h 33mSpirit Airlines
Mon 12/92:29 pmMCI - BOS
1 stop17h 45mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/21$192
Wed 12/115:25 amDEN - MCI
1 stop7h 08mDelta
Wed 12/116:25 pmMCI - DEN
1 stop5h 49mDelta
Deal found 11/20$196
Wed 12/188:50 amORD - MCI
Nonstop1h 39mUnited Airlines
Wed 12/258:00 amMCI - ORD
Nonstop1h 44mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/20$197
Mon 12/309:15 pmORD - MCI
Nonstop1h 38mAmerican Airlines
Tue 1/77:00 amMCI - ORD
Nonstop1h 52mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/20$202

Round-trip flights to Kansas City Airport (MCI)

Find deals on round-trip flights to Kansas City Airport. Deals are based on recent searches made by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months. Click “Pick Dates” to customize your flight criteria, and browse current flight deals from travel providers.
Thu 12/194:59 pmDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 39mFrontier
Sun 12/228:28 pmMCI - DEN
Nonstop2h 02mFrontier
Deal found 11/20$93
Tue 12/3110:16 amLAX - MCI
Nonstop3h 16mMultiple Airlines
Sun 1/58:28 pmMCI - LAX
1 stop6h 02mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/20$131
Mon 12/1610:49 amLAX - MCI
1 stop24h 45mSpirit Airlines
Wed 12/254:37 pmMCI - LAX
Nonstop3h 41mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/20$132
Mon 1/205:40 amDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 45mSouthwest
Sat 1/255:35 pmMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 55mSouthwest
Deal found 11/20$157
Fri 1/35:44 pmDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 44mUnited Airlines
Sat 1/119:02 amMCI - DEN
Nonstop2h 04mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/19$174
Wed 12/116:00 amDEN - MCI
1 stop4h 58mAmerican Airlines
Mon 12/165:20 amMCI - DEN
1 stop5h 54mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/20$194
Thu 1/26:29 pmDEN - MCI
1 stop5h 09mDelta
Sat 1/113:31 pmMCI - DEN
1 stop5h 54mDelta
Deal found 11/21$213
Tue 1/1412:15 pmLAX - MCI
2 stops23h 49mAlaska Airlines
Sat 1/182:59 pmMCI - LAX
1 stop9h 44mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 11/20$267
Fri 1/105:12 amEWR - MCI
1 stop10h 43mSpirit Airlines
Tue 1/1412:05 pmMCI - EWR
1 stop6h 55mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/20$153
Mon 12/97:25 amORD - MCI
1 stop10h 10mFrontier
Mon 12/166:25 pmMCI - ORD
1 stop18h 24mFrontier
Deal found 11/20$158
Fri 12/139:53 pmORD - MCI
1 stop15h 41mMultiple Airlines
Mon 12/166:25 pmMCI - ORD
1 stop18h 24mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/20$192
Wed 12/188:50 amORD - MCI
Nonstop1h 39mUnited Airlines
Wed 12/258:00 amMCI - ORD
Nonstop1h 44mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/20$197

Flights departing from Kansas City Airport (MCI)

Find deals on round-trip flights from Kansas City Airport (MCI). Deals are based on recent searches made by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months. Click “Pick Dates” to customize your flight criteria, and browse current flight deals from travel providers.
Fri 1/246:39 pmMCI - DEN
Nonstop2h 06mFrontier
Mon 1/273:05 pmDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 44mFrontier
Deal found 11/21$72
Mon 1/610:46 pmMCI - LAS
Nonstop3h 10mMultiple Airlines
Thu 1/910:29 pmLAS - MCI
1 stop17h 14mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/21$103
Sun 12/87:03 pmMCI - LAS
Nonstop3h 07mSpirit Airlines
Wed 12/188:32 amLAS - MCI
Nonstop2h 46mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/21$105
Tue 12/176:00 amMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 58mUnited Airlines
Wed 12/258:45 pmDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 43mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/21$175
Mon 1/1311:00 amMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 55mSouthwest
Thu 1/1611:05 amDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 35mSouthwest
Deal found 11/20$176
Tue 12/175:20 amMCI - DEN
1 stop5h 54mAmerican Airlines
Wed 12/256:00 amDEN - MCI
1 stop5h 40mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/21$194
Fri 1/106:30 amMCI - DEN
1 stop7h 46mDelta
Wed 1/152:55 pmDEN - MCI
1 stop5h 14mDelta
Deal found 11/21$196
Wed 12/112:29 pmMCI - EWR
1 stop8h 55mSpirit Airlines
Mon 12/169:02 pmEWR - MCI
1 stop17h 32mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/21$123
Thu 1/92:59 pmMCI - SEA
Nonstop4h 07mAlaska Airlines
Thu 1/910:51 pmSEA - MCI
1 stop16h 48mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 11/21$249
Mon 1/136:39 pmMCI - LAS
1 stop7h 15mFrontier
Fri 1/249:09 amLAS - MCI
1 stop6h 40mFrontier
Deal found 11/20$128
Wed 12/187:11 pmMCI - MCO
Nonstop2h 58mMultiple Airlines
Wed 12/256:00 amMCO - MCI
1 stop8h 38mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/20$139
Wed 12/187:11 pmMCI - MCO
Nonstop2h 58mSpirit Airlines
Wed 12/253:58 pmMCO - MCI
Nonstop3h 07mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/20$135

Flights to Kansas City Airport (MCI) departing soon

Find deals on flights to Kansas City Airport (MCI) leaving in the next seven days. Deals are based on recent searches made by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months. Click “Pick Dates” to customize your flight criteria, and browse current flight deals from travel providers.
Sun 12/111:59 pmLAX - MCI
Nonstop3h 14mSpirit Airlines
Mon 12/26:18 amMCI - LAX
Nonstop3h 49mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/19$176
Wed 11/2710:31 amDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 41mFrontier
Fri 11/298:33 pmMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 57mFrontier
Deal found 11/20$240
Wed 11/276:32 pmDEN - MCI
1 stop4h 49mDelta
Wed 12/46:20 pmMCI - DEN
1 stop5h 35mDelta
Deal found 11/21$286
Thu 11/2812:12 pmORD - MCI
Nonstop1h 33mAmerican Airlines
Fri 11/299:11 amMCI - ORD
Nonstop1h 34mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/20$289
Thu 11/286:45 amORD - MCI
1 stop6h 40mSouthwest
Fri 11/298:40 amMCI - ORD
1 stop4h 20mSouthwest
Deal found 11/20$308
Wed 11/2710:10 amDEN - MCI
Nonstop1h 40mUnited Airlines
Wed 12/46:00 amMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 58mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/20$334
Thu 11/286:55 pmBOS - MCI
1 stop27h 14mSpirit Airlines
Tue 12/37:11 pmMCI - BOS
1 stop13h 40mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/21$338
Tue 11/2610:15 amORD - MCI
1 stop6h 49mDelta
Tue 12/36:15 amMCI - ORD
1 stop6h 35mDelta
Deal found 11/20$340
Tue 11/2612:30 pmEWR - MCI
1 stop6h 35mSpirit Airlines
Wed 12/112:29 pmMCI - EWR
1 stop8h 55mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/20$350
Sun 12/110:00 amDEN - MCI
1 stop4h 55mSouthwest
Wed 12/47:05 pmMCI - DEN
Nonstop1h 50mSouthwest
Deal found 11/20$359
Tue 11/265:59 pmLGA - MCI
1 stop20h 13mMultiple Airlines
Tue 12/37:11 pmMCI - LGA
1 stop26h 58mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/19$391
Tue 11/268:35 amLGA - MCI
3 stops20h 47mSpirit Airlines
Tue 12/37:11 pmMCI - LGA
1 stop11h 20mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 11/19$394

Kansas City Airport (MCI) flight status

Find the status of flights flying to and from Kansas City Airport (MCI). Search by flight number or origin/destination and date/time to find the specific flight(s) you’re interested in.
Utilize the flight tracker to see the current status of flights flying to and from Kansas City Airport.
or
Sat 11/23
10:00 pm

Reviews of airlines servicing Kansas City Airport (MCI)

Read reviews of airlines servicing Kansas City Airport (MCI). Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to or from Kansas City Airport (MCI). Reviews last updated November 21, 2024.
8.1
Very good
5,005 reviews

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Great service throughout our flight. Easy boarding with early bird check in

8.1
Very good
5,005 reviews
8.1
Very good
5,005 reviews

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Great service throughout our flight. Easy boarding with early bird check in

8.0
Very good
9,464 reviews
8.1
Very good
5,005 reviews

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Great service throughout our flight. Easy boarding with early bird check in

8.0
Very good
8,755 reviews
8.1
Very good
5,005 reviews

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Great service throughout our flight. Easy boarding with early bird check in

7.4
Good
9,172 reviews
8.1
Very good
5,005 reviews

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Great service throughout our flight. Easy boarding with early bird check in

7.4
Good
850 reviews
8.1
Very good
5,005 reviews

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Great service throughout our flight. Easy boarding with early bird check in

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