Kansas City is finally entering the 21st Century with a new state-of-the-art studio comparable, or better than, other cities of our size.
The existing airport, built for 1960s travel and pre-TSA travel, will provide a great welcome for visitors to KC.
The terminal, just over one million square feet has spacious gate areas, updated technology and amenities, 50 local and national food, beverage and retail options; a spacious check-in hall; and 16 lanes for TSA clearance – 8 for TSA pre-approved.
After clearing security you’re in a main hub for the terminal you enter what we call a central hub. From here you can reach any of the terminal’s 40 gates. The facility has the flexibility to expand to 50 gates. From this area, you go left and right to the A concourses. Go straight ahead to get to the B concourses which are further out — but not that far. However, if your flight is on a B gate you might allow a little more time to make sure you make it to your gate on time.
In the main entry “hall” before heading to any of your gates, you have access to four dining and four shopping options. There’s also a business center – better described as a meeting/conference room and quiet with directions for your behavior.
FYI, before security, the only food or retail option is a Dunkin Donuts.
Gates A1 – A10 are to your right when you enter the main area. In that area are two dining options and one gift shop. Also in this area, you’ll experience the first of the airport’s all-gender restrooms. Yes, the men and the women go together. Learn more about those here.
Gates A12-20 are to your left. In this area are two locally owned restaurants that our readers may be familiar with. Soiree Steak and Seafood House, currently located in the 18th and Vine area, has a dine-in facility as does Urban Cafe, whose owners have temporarily closed their KC location after a car ran into the front of the building. There is one other restaurant and two retail locations on this concourse.
To head back to the B concourses you can choose to take the moving sidewalk or walk. There are two sections of moving sidewalk. Between the two sections of sidewalks is the concourse connector with a display that highlights the importance of air travel globally and in Kansas City.
You enter the B concourse to another central food and retail hub with seven dining and three retail options. Also in this area is a sensory room designed to help people who may become overwhelmed by a bustling and unfamiliar space can come to calm themselves.
Gates B40 to B52 are to the right. In this area are three food and two retail locations.
All of our photos were taken at the open house on Sat., Feb. 18. Most of the shops weren’t open and a number of them looked far from finished. We hope they make the Feb. 28 opening. When you clear security you enter the central hub for the airport. If you’re a little confused or want a question answered, there’s an information desk right as you enter the area. 
At the center of this hub is one of the terminal’s art investments. The City spent $5.65 million in new art for the project. 
To your right of the terminal main entry hub are gates A1-10 
To your left, when you clear security are gates A12-39 
You go straight back after you clear security to get to the B gates 
Among the retail locations in the A concourse hub is Inmotion an electronic and headphone retailer. 
Among the retail locations in the A concourse hub is Johnston and Murphy an upscale men’s retailer. 
Among the retail locations in the A concourse hub is Made in Kansas, selling items made in Kansas City as well as Kansas and Missouri specialty products. 
Grapes and Grains, a wine bar, is one of four food locations in the A concourse hub. 
Meat Mitch, a barbecue restaurant, is one of four food locations in the A concourse hub. 
A Concourse gates 1-10 are on the right when you clear security. 
There are lots of references to Kansas City’s jazz heritage and 18th and Vine in the terminal including this Market at 18th and Vine gift shop. 
The Market of KC Food Hall is anchored by Bloom Baking Co., a KC City Market restaurant, but also has a grouped service area offering limited menu items from Bo Lings Chinese; the Hungry Hatch,healthy bowls, wrap and salads; Pigwich, pork. burger and chicken sandwicher; and Poio, collection of asian and mexican flavored sandwiches and sides. 
The Heart is described as offering “artisan cheeses, spices, speciality meats and spirits from KC local farms, ranches and producers.” 
This beautiful mural as you enter this concourse is another nod to Kansas City’s jazz heritage 
A Smoothie King is located in this concourse 
This terminal features the first of the airports all gender restrooms. Yes unisex … we all go to the same bathrooms. Learn more about the unisex as well as high tech features of the terminal’s bathrooms. 
The A12-39 Concourse is to your left after you clear security. 
Most of the concourses feature a downward ramp as you enter 
The popular Soiree Restaurant from the 18th and Vine District is opening a restaurant in the terminal. 
The beautifully decorated and jazz-themed restaurant has lots of sit-down space for dining. Also on this concourse is a Dunkin Donuts, and two smaller shops, an 18th and Vine Travel Essentials and Director’s Cut Take 2. These weren’t open yet. 
After you exit security the B concourses are straight ahead. 
The B concourses sit away from the main terminal building to get there you can either walk or take the moving sidewalk to the right. 
At the end of the first length of moving sidewalks, in an area called the concourse connector, there is a historical display highlighting the importance of air travel globally and in Kansas City. 
Take the second moving sidewalk or walk the rest of the way to Concourse B. 
Other retail locations in the Concourse B hub are including Turn the Page, an education/book-focused retail location. 
There is a handicap accessible play area in the Concourse B hub area. 
While concourse A’s theme is 18th and Vine, Concourse B’s focus is the City Market area. Brown and Loe restaurant in the City Market area, will offer items from their upscale menu at the airport. 
Stockyards Brewing Co. will duplicate their craft beers and spirits at this airport location. 
City Market Food Hall will feature food from several popular City Market Restaurants, including Bolings Asian food, Taste of Brazil, Pigwich sandwiches including pork, burgers and chicken. 
Gates B40-B52 are located to the right when you enter Concourse B 
Messenger Coffee shop is located on this end of Concourse B 
KCK old-timers may remember Guy’s Potato Chips, well that have a stop in Concourse B selling quick pickup sandwiches and of course their chips. There’s also a Cinnabon on this end of Concourse B and an Everything Travel location. 
Bates B54 -B69 are located to the left when you enter the B concourse 
&Go, is a unique concept worth making your way to the end of Concourse C to see. It’s a totally automated store, no workers and no cash accepted working on Amaon’s Just Walk Out Technology. . You put in your credit card to enter the store, pick up what you want and when you leave your credit card is charged for what you leave the store with. 
Brookside Local gift shop 
The Pitch, named after the magazine, is located near the far end of the concourse 
The Leagues is an elevated sports bar featuring the Negro League Baseball and KC sports
Gates B54 to B60 are to the left. In this area are three retail and two three food locations. Also in this area is the Variety KC Inclusive Play Zone, designed to be handicap accessible.
Really great assets in the airport are the information desks that are strategically located and easy to find. There’s an info desk right when you enter the main area past security, one when you enter the concourse B main hall and one as you come off the down escalators to enter the baggage claim area.
The baggage area is located on the ground floor of the terminal. An example of great signage that more airports should have is a large sign that directs you to the baggage claim area for your airline.
Parking is plentiful. Adjacent to the airport is a 6,200-space parking garage with red (occupied) and green (available) lights above each space to help you find a space. Parking rates are going up/ Terminal parking, currently $23 is going up to $25 per day. Surface parking, currently $15 is going up to $18 per day and economy parking is going from $7.50 to $8 per day. Based on popularity, valet parking – implemented during construction – is being continued.
Take a tour of the airport with us in the gallery below..