Kansas City Airport

Not Verified | The airport has been updated and it’s much better than what it was before, but still doesn’t even have a business lounge or place to go to if your flight is delayed and every time I fly through MCI, the ladies’ bathroom in the Terminal always has a very long line, because the other option is the ALL Gender bathroom, but a lot of women don’t feel comfortable sharing a bathroom with men.

Not Verified | Southwest 4 hour layover on a return trip from Cancun. Airport is quite nice and modern. With enough space to accommodate surges. I'll take this airport any day over an Atlanta Delta layover. Clearly a new addition to the Kansas field (did not experience old terminal). Customs/bag claim, re-check, and re-screen for TSA for the domestic leg was super quick. Really like the glass jetways. Friendly TSA and gate agents. Bag claim and TSA were all quite clean. Gate areas were dirty - and not in the post-rush kind of way. Heavy duty cleaning seemed neglected/deferred. One example that stuck out: Dusty and fingerprints on window area/sills, etc. Bathroom sink areas could have received more attention. Some soap dispensers not functioning. A small gripe: Impossible to get a bottled unsweet tea anywhere in the facility. Every retail business had the exact same drinks in their grab and go coolers. My guess is it is contracted out to Pepsico or something. What's the point of having multiple retail businesses if they all serve the same stuff? Overall, I really like the size and style of the facility. Will look forward to my next layover here, should the time come.

✅ Trip Verified | Getting from drop off to your gate takes forever. After you check in with airline they have you walk a country mile to get to security. Than its another country mike to get to your gate which was Delta but God help you if you took Southwest. The old airport was fast and easy. What were they thinking. Poorly designed.

✅ Trip Verified | The bathrooms look like they haven’t been cleaned in weeks. Splatters on the back of the toilets, dirty floors, dusty everything. Looks like all they do is refill toilet paper and seat covers

Not Verified |   I have waited for about 1.5 hours to enter the gate. It was so disappointed and I haven’t experienced it before in any airport. The worst airport ever.

✅ Trip Verified | The old airport was great. Fast TSA, comfortable gate seating, no frills. The new one - not even close. Check in was very clunky, there's no real traffic flow, just a mass of passengers. Horrible, slow TSA (similar to Atlanta). Way too many shops and restaurants. Little to no signage for anything. The gate seating area only sat 55 passengers. More shops and restaurants, why are there any at all? An airport is not a destination, it's a thoroughfare. I attempted to find a bathroom and looked until I saw a sign flat on the door (no hanging sign). Overall a poor experience with something that was supposed to make life better. Next time I'll fly out of St Louis.

Not Verified | The new airport is very pretty but there are some important things missing. The signage is not great. They must have forgotten about signs for baggage claim because they only have sandwich boards in the main terminal area directing you to the baggage claim. We found NO SIGNS for rental car area. Finally got a broadcast on the PA regarding car rental location and shuttle. The TSA lines were very long even though not many people are here. They had the area roped of as if they were expecting a large crowd and didn't bother to shorten the lanes when not needed causing people to walk more than necessary. The new seats are uncomfortable. Our TSA person at the baggage check area was rude and didn't seem to know the rules for people over 75. I realize it is a work in progress but seems like some of these issues should have been obvious to the designers and planners. Lets hope it gets better as time goes by.

Not Verified | Feedback on my initial visit to MCI (new terminal). I am a Kansas City native --- this review is critical, as it should be. Overall impression is outstanding compared to the 1970s era terminals. It addresses the needs of a 21st century Midwest airport with all the modern necessities one would expect as a flying customer. First impression walking in, it's big. It spans wide and the design incorporating natural lighting with an abundance of windows is refreshing. The evening sunlight streaming in through different angles really provides a "non-restricted" feel as you walk about the terminal. The respective airline check-in counter/placements are easy to identify and span the width of the front end of the terminal for easy access. Security access is fairly streamlined and the entire process is able to accommodate large volumes of travelers (non-TSA airport - VMD corp) more natural light as you progress through each arm of the terminal (A/B/C) with interior lighting not overbearing. The walkways are wide and allow for excellent views of the tarmac, exterior gates, and various angles of the entirety of the taxiways and runways. Additionally, the escalators and walking escalators are positioned nicely and push you through terminal in a speedy manner. More shops, etc. at each terminal branch, providing basically anything the traveler would need. The vibe and local venues are all a welcome addition and definitely fulfill the needs of the traveler. Individual gates and structured well and offer comfortable seating and ample wireless device charging. The one thing that seems odd is the placement of the gate flight monitor(s). It is essentially in the seating area of the individual gates. Why not place it directly behind/above the agent booth/desk for easy and quick access and explanation (poor design decision). Boarding the plane, the traveler is treated to long glass jet bridges that allow for excellent views of adjacent aircraft and outside weather conditions. This is a well thought out design that many major airports do not offer. Overall, the new MCI/KCI terminal is a massive upgrade to the Kansas City area. It has the opportunity for expansion and I would expect future modifications to address design shortfalls and customer feedback. We concluded it feels like a mall when walking though the new terminal. Three things need immediate addressing - (1) Men's restroom upkeep and sanitary conditions unacceptable. Need to revisit the options of installing automatic hand blower machines and look at the cleaning schedules to ensure conditions do not deteriorate to the point of being an embarrassment. Cleaning crews need to maintain a regular schedule on vacuuming the terminal carpet - paper and debris everywhere. Please explain how the gate flight monitors are controlled by the city? How is this beneficial to the traveler or airline staff? Local control to change/modify the monitors shouldn't even be a discussion. This new terminal is supposed to represent the pride of Kansas City aviation.

Not Verified | Brand new airport that looks pretty nice but housekeeping services are poor in and outside the airport. They tried to make it local Kansas City restaurants only so don’t look for a Starbucks, you won’t find one. Seating at gates is sufficient with work table space as well.

Not Verified | Poor lighting for road signs for rental car return. By the grace of God I was not killed, I was going head on to incoming traffic the wrong way because of poor lighting, it was 4 am on May 11 2023. Lack of signs and direction for rental car return. Please fix this problem before someone is hurt.

✅ Trip Verified | Brand new, pretty and nice but very inconvenient. They did not provide enough space to check is thus creating chaos. Confusing lines, no one was helping. For departing passengers using parking shuttle you get down on arrival area then get to upper level to ticketing, only 1 escalator going up and down. If not working you have to carry your check in luggage. very high escalator, did not see option for stairs and minimal number of elevators. Once you check-in getting to your terminal is a long walk not enough moving walkway. Beautiful but not functional, poorly planned new airport. Spent money to make it beautiful but poorly functional. Very inconvenient airport. If I don’t live in Kansas City, will surely avoid this airport.

Not Verified | I fly 20-30 trips per year and KC Airport is by far the worst I've been in. We almost missed our transfer flight because doorways exiting terminals were not adequately marked so we had to go through TSA again. Another lady said she had the same experience. TSA people took my reusable water bottle because it was full of water from last airport and would only let me leave airport and pour out. Before all this happened, I went to the restroom, which was shockingly filthy, broken doors, non working towel dispensers, half smashed toilet paper dispensers.

✅ Trip Verified | Terrible customer space and internet as compared to other cities. No room to sit or eat when your flight is delayed or cancelled. Taking the shuttle back and forth to the rental car is awful. Let’s no get started with the internet and cell phone coverage in this concrete jungle. Tell your customers to move.

✅ Trip Verified | Arriving in Kansas City wasn't too bad, but departing was awful. The airport is broken into a lot of little areas for gates, and of course you can only go behind security in the one serving your airline. It seemed like all of the pre-security restaurants were closed, and in the Delta area there was only one post-security sit down restaurant, which charged an obscene amount of money even by airport standards. The airport itself is poorly lit, with a lot of broken stairs and escalators, and just gave off a depressing vibe. The only good thing is that security was very fast. But overall, this is not an airport where I want to return.

Not Verified | I use to live in KC several years. Just flew in tonight and completely appalled by MCI. Yes it has always been small, very outdated and practically no where to eat and shop but tonight when I got off plane about 10.15, it stunk beyond words. Trash was piled high, it smelt like bathroom was clogged up and people were trying to find seating wherever they could. The smell literally made me physically sick to my stomach once I got outside. For someone seeing this as first impression of a beautiful city it missed the mark big time. Come on KC it’s time to take some pride in your airport.

Not Verified | This has got to be one of the worst airports I have ever been to and believe me I have traveled extensively. From the rude, loud, and verbally abusive TSA agents, the antiquated equipment, slow processing of bags and personnel, and just down right lack of up to date knowledge, this is your first interaction with the Terminal and sets a horrible tone. Then lets move onto the facilities or complete lack thereof. Restrooms are dirty and never maintained or stocked and you have to be skinny, traveling with no bags, and have a lack of smell to even get into and use one if you can find it. Choices for food or drink are limited, outlandishly overpriced (more than other airports), and if you do get anything its stale. Their locations in the dungeon you have to stay at until you board your plane give light to the complete lack of forethought by whomever designed this. Now you need a seat to wait for your plane. That too is horrendous, toxic experience with never enough, and the one I did find to sit in today at SW Gate 43, was sticky and there was a smell coming from the area around me. Decided to stand for the last hour until boarding. I will need to detox everything from my bags to myself before I step foot into my home. Not to mention complete detail my vehicle afterwards. Add to that there are not places to recharge your electronics at your seats like all other airports for your long stay in the cold, dark lifeless tunnels of a terminal unless you crowd around a small area with 1 or 2 outlets, like cows waiting on the evening trough meal. I see they have started a new terminal, but of course the designer there too was either stoned, blind, or has no architectural class whatsoever. And whom ever approved this so called improvement must have pockets lined with gold. You build a beautiful new terminal and then tower a gaudy concrete parking structure in front of it to hide what little majestic magic you were trying to show off. I was once proud to say KC was my home, but if this is the best foot forward you can show to our many visitors, returning Missourians, or International Flyers, then you should be removed. There are two pieces of sunlight that do exist in this total train wreck of an airport. (1) The rental car facility and staff still remain top notch. Whether spending big bucks or trying to save a few I have always be treated with grace, humility, and kindness on the buses, counters, and car parking lots. (2) Gate agents for SW and Delta (only two airlines I use) are always friendly and eager to help in anyway. Kansas City Airport (MCI) you need to seriously look over your customer service, facilities, and architectural managers and make a complete overhaul. Unless this is the look your are going for, draining the customers of all money, life, and happiness at which case you have nailed it.

Not Verified | This is without a doubt the most poorly organized and dirty airport I have ever been in. Here is a recap of my Kansas City Airport adventure. As the bus from the rental area drops you off at terminal C (American) door C10, you enter the building and can see overhead placards to the left and to the right both listing ticketing and gates. As my flight indicated C84 I headed towards the ticketing to the right. I dragged my bags nearly 1/4 mile around the curved building edge which obstructs your ability to see any distance beyond a hundred feet or so. After 8-9 minutes of walking I stopped dumfounded as the ticketing area that was revealed around the corner was Spirit and Delta. Not American Airlines. I completed an about face and walked all the way back to the C10 door. I double checked my ticket, double checked the sign and sure enough gate c84 was in fact the direction I headed. With no other choice I went the opposite direction and found the American Airlines ticketing center approx 150 yards in the opposite direction of my gate. Needless to say I shared my experience with 3 AA employees one of which was a supervisor. There is old used toilet paper on the ground right inside the terminal as you pass security. The restrooms haven't been cleaned in forever as is evident by the horrible urine stench, puddles of urine on the floor near the urinals, crusted urine stains on the toilets, the garbage is overfilled and used paper towels are spilled over onto the floor. As you walk through the terminal there is garbage on the ground, horribly stained carpet, food debris on most seats and literally piles of what appears to be mud/manure on the floor where someone had scraped their boots in the ground. Pretty sure I found the true origin of Covid. Yup in KCI.

Not Verified | I don't go to an airport to eat, or shop, or admire the furnishings. I go to catch a flight. Period. For people who live in the area, you can currently arrive at economy parking half an hour before your flight boards, take the shuttle to your gate, check in (with or without bags) and still easily make your flight. I have been doing this since 911 slowed things down. The city has embarked on a multi billion dollar new terminal "upgrade" to make our beloved airport a clone of larger markets. Long TSA lines, long treks to the gates (now it is about a 2 minute walk from check in to TSA). Separate TSA checkpoints at each cluster of gates means you get through in 5 minutes or so.), We are not a true hub. We don't want a hub. We have plenty of flights and the airlines compete for our business, resulting in lower airfares. The city stopped routine maintenance to strengthen their case for a new terminal. Had they done due diligence, the airport would have looked just fine. But the construction unions held sway and the travelling public here will now be paying increased ticket prices, laden with extra fees to pay for this. A giant step backward.

Not Verified | I have traveled world wide and this is the dirtiest airport I have ever been in. The carpet, bathrooms and seating are all unkempt. I understand it may be an older airport, that is not the issue. It needs cleaning. The airport is easy to access and get around. Gate attendants were polite.

✅ Trip Verified | TSA was extremely rude, obnoxious and angry at Passengers. They order people around and throw their personal items like they are Nazi's at a Concentration Camp. This "Agency" should be disbanded. They are a useless waste of my hard earned money that I pay to these rude morons to do nothing but harass citizens.

✅ Trip Verified | The TSA Agents were absolutely awful and down right ugly. There is absolutely no reason to treat any person they way the lady treated my son and I at the initial check in. She was wearing "2" masks and I could not hear a word she said and my 17 year old son could not understand a word she said either. We are not frequent travelers and this was our fist time at this airport and the lady should have been fired. She was ugly to every person I heard her dealing with. She yelled at all the line telling us there was a "glare" in her little box so we need to stand in a certain spot so she could see our face. Just wrong all the way around and customer service was zero, then we go to the line where you take off your shoes and go through that machine. Where do these people come from. I cannot believe TSA thinks it is fine to speak to people the way they do. It is down right awful.

Not Verified | This is without a doubt the worst airport I have been in and I travel weekly. There is nothing here but chairs (with no outlets to charge electronics), seating is located next to security so it is noisy with bins and alarms, no lounges or restaurants just a fast food grab and go thing (Delta gates). People are crammed in like sardines in a can. This place is very old and has not been updated in decades from the look of it. If you have an option to fly into somewhere (anywhere) else you should take it!

✅ Trip Verified | I understand MCI is undergoing construction but this airport has always been bad for use of Economy Parking Lot. Too few buses and one driver in particular is very rude. I refused to ride with her this morning, and she kept antagonizing me like she wanted to pick a fight. I waited 5 minutes for next bus and had a very pleasant ride. I have seen this bus driver act this way before so the airport must tolerate her behavior. This is just how Kansas City is, I guess.

Not Verified | Absolutely horrible place. They have signs for social distancing but pile people on top of each other. No soap, paper towels or functioning water faucet in the Ladies room. Filthy seats, nothing wiped down, food and garbage in seats. No maintenance people around and the airline ticket counter agents could care less. I will pay more to avoid a layover here next time. City of Kansas City you owe everyone who travels through here a big amends if we don't fall prey to the coronavirus here. Terrible place. Try to avoid especially if you have kids.

Not Verified | This airport is an embarrassment to the entire city. Inadequate equipment, incompetent staff, visually a joke. Worst airport I've seen in all my travels.

Not Verified | Flown through MCI multiple times, airport was dark and dingy, all the shops and restaurants were on the wrong side of security and the staff are rude. Overall needs major improvement.

✅ Trip Verified | Filthy, nasty carpet, dirty, dark, drab building with unclear confusing signs that will lead you to where you don't want to go. Tattered seats. Small tight dirty bathrooms that can only accommodate 4 women at a time. I refused to eat here despite being hungry due to the filth. Seriously who designed and maintains this horrible depressing place? I hope to never fly through here again. They need to tear the whole airport down and start over again.

✅ Trip Verified | This is the worst airport for a layover in a developed country! Where to start with a list of what's wrong? First, instead of having access to the entire terminal building as all other airports, travelers are crammed into about 6 gate areas and you cannot leave it without going through security again to get back in. That means you are stuck with limited services unless you want to go through the TSA line again. And what great services are available! Small one-holer bathrooms with 1970s designs that are dirty and smell, too few to accommodate everyone which causes long lines even in the mensroom. Restaurants that close at 7PM when my connecting flight does not depart until 8:25pm. Not enough chairs for everyone to sit. Ancient airline displays with plastic cards vs. modern terminals. I've been to third world countries with airports that are much better! I'll never layover here on a trip again. Southwest, you should be both ashamed & embarrassed that you call this airport a hub! I'll fly other airlines instead of flying through KC. You've lost my business.

Not Verified | The staff at this airport made the decision to not honor passengers with TSA precheck during a very busy holiday weekend. There was no communication indicating this was happening so we got into a very long security line with little time to spare. Then the TSA agent scanned and took both my luggage and backpack aside for an internal inspection of all contents. All of my luggage contents were removed then shoved back into my bags without any findings. Approximately 75% of all passenger bags were inspected without any findings. The security line was so confusing with bags being removed and belongings being removed that people were walking away and leaving their personal belongings at security. In a span of 5 minutes, 3 different TSA agents brought over laptops to the gate agent that people left behind. I also walked away without my laptop then quickly returned to retrieve it. The TSA agents were also very rude and not doing anything to resolve the long lines or chaotic situation! Once we got through the gate I was shocked to see how absolutely dirty the gate areas were, with trash on the ground everywhere and overflowing trash cans! We’ve traveled to this airport for many years and I’ve traveled to many airports in and outside of the US and this was my worst airport experience and I will never return.

✅ Trip Verified | I have always had pleasant experiences with the Kansas City airport until I was leaving the airport in my Uber. My Uber driver was cussed out by an older woman who was airport security with quite explicit language for trying to merge into the exiting lane. There were no signs and she was not directing traffic, but rather sitting in her car blocking the lane we were in. No biggie, due to us needing to scoot over into the left exiting lane. Just as we were merging, she jumped out of her car and began to profusely scream and swear, demanding we stop. She proceeded to allow every other car pass us and then walked to the back of my Uber drivers car to take his license. She did not come to the car nor give a ticket, so I am not quite sure why the explosive language and looking at the license plate. Her level of professionalism was pitiful and completely uncalled for. It was a poor reflection of her position. The rest of the experience at the Kansas City airport was super friendly and pleasant, as usual. My rating is solely based off of the explosive security woman. I reccomend this airport, but strongly believe someone should address the exiting lanes with class and clarity.

Not Verified | Staff are rude, car rental staff are even worse, no help loading our baby or luggage from shuttle to airport, and forced to cross dangerous roads in the process. One disgusting, uncleaned restroom for the women serving no less than 8 gates and a restaurant. They can't tear this place down fast enough. Flying into Tulsa from now on.

Not Verified | Worst airport ever. You are dropped out by ticketing then ensues an hour plus of hell. You check in then walk what feels like a mile to security entrance then retrace your steps inside secured area for another mile to get to the gate to find out you are trapped with no restrooms or amenities. Everyone waiting was moaning about the setup.

Not Verified | This place should be demolished at the earliest opportunity. Kansas City should be embarrassed to have this representing the city. All of the awful things people have said on this site about this Airport are true. I have a two hour layover here and I am counting the minutes until I can get out of this wretched place.

Not Verified | I am in a lot of airports and always find Kansas City security to be rude, disrespectful, humiliating. They will paw through your personal belongings and dump them all over the counter. Absolutely horrible experience.

Not Verified | Arrival was no big deal. I left this morning. Walked through security. Was randomly selected as usual, then once allowed through I discovered that the gates don't connect. So I had to leave, go through security once again, where I was randomly selected, once again, the ladies ahead of me had to deal with the same thing and were annoyed. The workers there couldn't answer any of the questions they or anyone else had. The bathroom looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the day before, and the part that made me furious is that they threw out my toothpaste saying it wasn't allowed since they don't let you take in liquids over a certain amount, but one of the gate TSA people let a pilot carrying four cups of Starbucks coffee through the security door without hesitation. This is the peak of stupidity. All this about how they're making things safe for us when everyone knows the TSA is staffed by people who wouldn't make it at McDonalds.

Not Verified | What an embarrassment to Kansas City. Dark, dismal, no conveniences. The old state pen in Jefferson City is more inviting. Kansas City is a beautiful city with plenty to offer, but this gulag of an airport sure doesn’t reflect that. Step up your game, MCI.

Not Verified | The grossest airport I’ve ever been to. Bathrooms are filthy, food selection is poor, there’s probably half as much seating as there needs to be. I wanted to hold my breath the whole time I was there. I would legitimately consider routing my travel to a different airport next time. Additionally, upon my arrival, they could not locate my bag. Not necessarily MCI’s fault, but could have been handled better.

✅ Trip Verified | This is an absolutely wretched airport. Design is a nightmare. Food is worse than the convention center downtown - and that’s saying something. I ordered breakfast and it was honestly a pre-made/pre-cooked plastic-tray goopy mess. Bathrooms are wholly inadequate — and poorly serviced. Pre-packaged food in gate waiting area picked over and poor quality. Gate areas sardine-can crowded. I remember being in NYC’s Port Authority bus terminal in the late 1970s — this was worse. The city is lovely. The airport is a deterrent to wanting to ever come back to the city.

✅ Trip Verified | The worst airport for a lay-over I've ever been in! Limited bathroom facilities, dirty, small area to wait, a necessary trip outside of security if you want to look for gifts or food beyond a Pizza Hut and kiosks. An upstairs eatery and bar with no restrooms. I'll never layover here on a trip again. I'll change my destination before I'd go through this airport again. I've been to 3rd world and developing countries' airports with cleaner more available facilities!

❌ Not Verified | My home town airport is disgraceful! My first complaint is that my family member and I were separated going through security. As of last Dec. 2017, they now send TSA Pre to a totally different gate for security check. Huh? When I asked one of the agents to explain, he was nasty and said it was easier for employees. I mentioned I didn’t like it. Oddly enough a few minutes later I was patted down for my Apple Watch and a nylon zipper on my pant leg pocket. What? I’ve worn the same pants through security before-no issues. My son was not patted down for his Apple Watch. The bathrooms at the gates are terrible. No soap or paper towels-gross. MCI-do something!

✅ Trip Verified | Arrived 2 hrs early in frigid temps with a carry on. People checking bags at SW lined up outside! After killing time for 30 min I happily moved to a side line so Seattle passengers only would get routed through the slow security check. It feels good to cooperate. Finally 30 min later Seattle customers done and all in line are feeling good. Our line was split in 2 and those who had been waiting the longest were in the TSA pre check, which I paid to have too. Then I watched as not only was our line ignored as the pre check, but also as the customers who had been waiting in line the longest. The agent who had asked us all to move aside, suddenly was making no eye contact and didn't say a word to the agents checking our tickets. I'm tired of being polite and helpful and then basic customer service ignored. People in line longest are next customer served.

❎ Not Verified | I am surprised this airport has one star. Not sure where to start, small, get full even with a small number of passengers. It smells and the worst part is? There is only one bathroom in the entire 50s gates area, don't know which line is longer, the TSA security or the bathroom lines. Officials need to carry out huge changes to this airport. Look at the picture I added for bathroom line.

✅ Verified Review | Long overdue for replacement. If you have carry-on only, you can skip the long lines at the ticket counter in hopes of getting into the security line sooner. TSA Pre only recently became an option for AA travelers, and the newly renovated gate area for AA now links all their gates, but it still suffers the same problems that Southwest’s gate area in B does - lack of seating, no clear and direct paths between gates, sparse charging ports (and finding one that actually works is even harder). Food options airside are minimal and horribly overpriced, usually consisting of day-old factory made sandwiches, wilted salads, and $8 bottles of juice.

✅ Verified Review | If you like having zero options for food (or paying $10 for a cold and stale sandwich), having to go through security to use the bathroom, and being in extremely close proximity to people going through security checks as you connect to your next flight, Kansas City Airport is the place for you. This is easily the worst major airport I've ever been to. There are only two restaurants, and both somehow seemed like 1 and 1A for the title of "Saddest Place on Earth". When your best food option is a microwaved sandwich from Starbucks, you know you're in a whole new level of suck. Also, for some odd reason, half of the airport is walled off and is inaccessible to the general populous. Why? Good question. This isn't Westeros. I have heard from locals that the airport provides easy in and out access, which could possibly be true. But the fact that this place hasn't been updated since the 70's is incredible, and the shocking lack of restaurants and cleanly bathrooms make Kansas City International seem like the worst major airport in America.

✅ Verified Review | I'm sitting in the B gates area now waiting out a 3 hour weather delay. The women's restroom for all B gates only has 3 stalls. There was no soap, paper towels, or toilet paper. Southwest has put in charging stations, but the actual airport offers few, if any. To get to nicer food or restroom options, be prepared to leave security and be re screened in order to get to your flight. The gate seating area is inadequate for a full flight of passengers. Be prepared to camp out on the floor.

✅ Verified Review | I arrived American Eagle terminal C at Kansas City Airport, and had a departure connection with Alaska Airlines (SkyWest) terminal B. I had to exit the airport, take a shuttle bus and go back through TSA security. The airport was crowded and very confusing. I travel a minimum of 4 times a year and at age 77 I am quite capable of getting around with ease and understand directions. All airport employees, bus drivers, and airline agents were very friendly and helpful in a difficult situation as I had a short connection time. Once I arrived at terminal B, I immediately went to the Alaska Airline customer counter. The agent printed up a new boarding pass with TSA pre-check printed and marked with yellow highlighter. The agent then escorted myself and several others to the TSA check point, and explained to the TSA agent that the plane was in boarding process. The TSA check line was backed up. The agent explained they were not equipped for TSA Precheck and we would go through the routine boarding process. I followed instructions removing my CPAP machine from the original case, before placing it on the screening belt. Removed my shoes, and proceeded through the screen machine. I set it off and explained I was wearing suspenders, I was told to go back, another agent came up saw my suspenders, and politely explained to her co-worker I was wearing suspenders. I was told to go back through the screen machine, of course I set it off again. After lifting my shirt and showing the agent once again the suspenders the agent said put your shirt down (I was wearing a t-shirt under the suspenders) so no skin was showing. Another agent than began the long process of explaining the pat down all the while the plane was boarding. The agent commenced with the pat down process. His pat down was humiliating. Once I boarded the plane several passangers remarked "they sure gave you tough time". The work load on TSA would be greatly reduced if MCI Airport could make it so it is not necessary to go through security when changing terminals from one airline to another. The current transfer procedure is totally outdated and unacceptable.

✅ Verified Review | This airport reminded me of other woefully inadequate facilities like LaGuardia. The circular terminal building was never meant to have the secure area splitting the length of the entire concourse. Travelers in transit have to exit the sterile area for the larger bathrooms and better food choices. The departure gates are crowded and noisy. This place is awful, and I'll avoid connections here in the future.

✅ Verified Review | I am a Kansas City resident who travels frequently for my job so am very familiar with other airports around the country. I am appalled at how far my hometown airport has deteriorated. The bathrooms are despicable! Filthy and in disrepair every single time I travel which is 2 to 3 times per month. The food choices are sparse and extremely expensive as compared to other airports. It's time KC woke up and does something about the airport.

✅ Verified Review | This place is awful. I feel as though I am in a cattle yard. Having to go through security just to use the restroom is ridiculous. Talk about deterring people from flying. 1 bathroom "inside" the wall to service passengers is bogus. I will never fly through this aiport again. Avoid this place, even if it means paying more for a non-stop ticket. Lesson learned.

Kansas City is easily the worst major airport I have seen. What a disgrace. Uncomfortable, poorly lit, horrible food options (a little snack vendor once clear of TSA). Just a terrible place to get stuck waiting for an hour or so.

Very poor design. I got maneuvered out of the gates area and had to go through security again. Poor lighting, poor food option, depressing. The food was outrageously expensive. I saw a woman try to buy a sandwich for $10.00, she was so shocked she returned it.

We could hardly believe how awkward and confusing it was to arrive and transfer to another plane. We almost mistakenly left the secure area as we disembarked. The airport was crowded, with inadequate, old seating. The one bathroom available in terminal B had too long of a line. What a choice:. Do we use the bathroom or miss our flight? Very little food was available. We will avoid this airport in the future!

✅ Verified Review | There is some debate around this airport. There is TSA prechecked, other reviews said none, at the Delta gates for 56-60 and there was a longer queue there than I have seen at any other airport. There is very little after the security except a bottle of water less than a liter for more than $5 and I could not find any water fountain. Small and narrow in a rainbow shape. Even the check in for Sky priority was slower than everyone else.

Kansas City airport is stuck in the 70's. There is no flow to it. Restaurants are few and far between. There is a security checkpoint every 5-6 gates, so no long lines, but if you need to change planes here, you likely will have to leave the secure area and go through security again. There is no place to connect laptops, phones, etc. They do not have TSA pre-check, so you have to take out your electronics and liquids. Actually, they don't have TSA, they use a private company that dresses almost identically to TSA, except for the badging. The security person who checked our identification was very rude. For us, this is an airport we will avoid, We had our choice of KC, Omaha or Des Moines for this trip, and chose KC because it was less expensive. Next time, we will pay more and avoid KC airport.

I am from Kansas City and I'm ashamed of this airport. It hasn't changed since it was designed in the 70s. The terminals are corridors with too few seats, charging stations, bathrooms and food and shopping options. I have to make sure my phone has a full charge before I arrive. I hate having to spend anytime in the airport when I come home. As the first impression visitors get of Kansas City, the tourist board and Better Buisness Bureau and Governing bodies of Kansas City need to wake up.

I love Kansas City and have family there so fly in and out frequently, often combining the visit with trips to other cities. When will it get an upgrade? 1) When making a connection at MCI it is necessary to exit security go into the main airport and then re-enter security (unless you depart from the same gate as arrival). Once in my seat and settled, items from my 3oz liquids bag (lotions, lipcreams and other toiletries) are removed, water bottle is filled, and generally I know that even when there is a connection I can disembark, zoom over to my next flight without repacking and not worry about going through security again. 2) No TSA precheck available at any security entry. 3) Have visited every restaurant. Food selection is pretty miserable everywhere. Try finding a restaurant that has a salad with green lettuce - not iceberg - lettuce or any vegetables. Or anything that isn't fried. AC settings keep you frigid. Ambience sorely lacking. Service friendly and efficient. MCI is an international airport. Uncertain how efficient arrivals in that area are.

Of all the major hubs, this is the worst. No TSA Pre, inadequate cramped waiting and seating. Obvious they don't want to improve or expand. Tiny airports around the country are nicer than this. Too bad for the nice people who live and work here. They deserve much better.

Kansas City. The only thing good about this airport is you can get in and out very fast. Security lines are usually quick and if you don't check in any luggage, you can go from your seat to the curb in 3 minutes, which is un-heard of anywhere else for an airport this size. I will say though the staff here are always kind, professional, and helpful. This includes, security, airline staff, to the custodians. That's where all of the good stops. If you have a layover here, you will want to drink yourself to oblivion. But here's the catch, no alcohol in the terminal area unless you leave the secure area, and then re-enter the secure area by enduring a wait through the security line. Which depending on the day can mean 3 minutes, or an hour+. Food options in the terminal are pathetic. There are food kiosks that charge the most expensive prices on food and water I have ever seen in the U.S. Since you have no options, they know you are trapped. And as a result, you have to pay $4 to $5 for a bottle of water. Don't try to use a restroom after you go through security. Use the restrooms before going through security. You may not be able to relieve yourself in time if you try to use the one stall within the security area. The airport itself appears to be a fallout shelter with glass all around. It's ugly, and tired. The terrazzo floors are cool looking (if you are into that sort of thing) however the carpeting areas and seats look and feel tired. This airport is vintage and in need of a re-do.

The Kansas City International Airport is one of the worst airports I've been to in recent years. It has nothing to offer travelers. There are almost no food options once you arrive for your departing flight. If you happen to fly after 8pm there is absolutely nothing open. No vending, no magazines, no fast food is open or close. The staff at the counter told us we were too early with our bags to check and to come back 1 hour before the flight takes off. Her reason was she didn't want to get our luggage on the wrong flight. Isn't that what tags are for? We came back and stood in line for 20 min and almost missed checked bags. There were people who needed help with damaged bags and found no other place to get help than the check in line! We then had to get our bags tagged then carry them over to a scanner to have them checked. Once you go through security you are corralled in a small area with one vendor. They have water, soda, and sometimes cold food items. There is one bathroom once in this area and no space to walk around. This area is also the exit for arriving planes. The people arriving can't even figure out how to get out of there. Overall Kansas City International Airport was a terrible experience. I will be driving to St Louis next time I want to fly anywhere.

Beware - if you are flying through Kansas City you may have to change terminals. You have to leave one terminal, catch a bus, and go through security in the the next terminal. If you bought any duty free liquids or gifts in the secure area of your departure airport, they will be confiscated. There is no means to ship anything home if you can't check the items. Once in the secure area of your gate, there is only an over-priced snack stand and no charging stations for electric devices. This is the worst airport I have had the misfortune of passing through.

I fly through airports across the country every week so where do I start in my views of Kansas City Airport? This airport would be better suited to serving a small town with one gate and two departures a day rather than a major U.S. city. If you have to encounter KCI, hope that it is a flight stop and you don't have to leave the plane. Signage is scarce as are bathrooms. The airport is dirty, mouldy and smelly. Places to eat and shop are almost non-existent so a layover is unpleasant. Seating in the gate areas is cramped and often you feel "boxed" into small rooms. To get from gate to gate you often walk through seating in the gates. The worst part is the people working at the airport whether they work at a ticket counter, restaurant, TSA security, or a gate they range from lazy, rude or indifferent. I understand that this airport is a pre 9/11 design and that creates space issues. However, there is no excuse for filthy, dirty, and smelly facilities, poor and inadequate signage, bad lighting, and rude, lazy and indifferent people. Avoid this airport if possible. It is by far the worst airport in the country.

Just to validate the indifference of whoever runs this airport, in 2016 all of the issues remain as, once you cross security, you can't buy a book and you are pretty much locked into a dark, dank crowded mass of humanity with the main men's bathroom having one stall and the further indignation of the cleaning crew closing it on a Friday night at 5pm to clean. They just don't care here and companies thinking of locating should consider that as I stare at the ceiling at lights either so dirty they don't illuminate anything. This place is awful and just to "enhance" the experience, the wifi is terrible too.

I was marooned in Kansas City for 7.5 hours recently. The delays were due to east coast weather and a mechanical issue. Frustrating, but something that just happens in my line of work. Here are my thoughts: MCI is a unique design that works if folks are willing to keep an open mind. This airport is clearly a pre 9/11 design because all of the terminals are within sight of the curb. That is the gift and the curse. First, the curse. Instead of having 1 security line per terminal like a modern terminal, they have a security line for every 4-6 gates. This is a gift (see below) but also a curse because it means that the food/drink/shopping options have to be spread out, especially the ones beyond security. Stated another way, there ain't a whole lot to do once you get past security, or even before security for that matter. The gift part was watching the locals get dropped off and walk 1 minute to the ticketing or baggage drop off, the fantastically quick security lines were comical compared to some airports, and the curb to traveler ratio was fantastic for those trying to catch a shuttle, cab, etc. At the end of the day, being marooned sucks. No amount of shopping, restaurants, or gimmicks is going to change that. You're somewhere you didn't plan on being instead of where you planned on being. You could give me 5 star dining at a 3 star price and I'd still wish I was home.

Flew into Kansas City Airport on Southwest Airlines from LAX. I really love the views of lush green countryside as you land into Kansas City. The signs for going to Baggage Claim weren't very good. We struggled to figure out how to get there. Then we asked a security personnel, who opened a door for us (the kind that would ordinarily sound an emergency alarm). The baggage claim area is one of the smallest I have seen of any airport in US. While checking in for our return flight, the airline associate tagged our bags, gave our boarding passes, and then asked us to take our bags to another area for screening. This process seemed very primitive. We were also given a very hard time at this airport during security screening. Since we were travelling with a baby, we had baby food, milk etc, and the TSA person asked us to open sealed bottle. We refused, since once the Pediasure bottle is opened, it must be consumed. So, we had to go through a very thorough pat-down for TSA's peace of mind. I have flown through Kansas City twice, and the security at this airport make it a challenging experience for families travelling with little kids.

I've traveled extensively since 1978 and this is the worst airport experience I've had by far. Please someone bring this place into the 21st century or at the very least the post 9-11era. I admit I am spoiled by the Indianapolis airport, but airline travel should be much better than this. No aisles? No bathrooms in the restaurants? A BBQ Mecca deserves much better.

Shockingly long wait for immigration - over 2.5 hours. Landed at 6.20 pm and did not get through until after 9 pm. This is similar to what others have reported from their recent travel. The lines for Japanese citizens were much shorter. I have never seen lines like this at Narita (or really, anywhere else). The airport is otherwise pleasant and efficient (no problems on departure), but the immigration delays are really beyond the pale.

Departing from gate 83 in terminal C. Airport is small and quiet. TSA line was short, although they do not have a precheck lane and still have to remove electronics from bags. Once past TSA you feel like a captive with about 3 hidden power outlets shared between 5 gates. Only one small kiosk for snacks and drinks. Nowhere to work on a laptop. Not a good place to be stuck with a delay.

Dirtiest and most crowded airport I have been in in a long time. Changed planes at Southwest terminal. Hurried off plane to find a long line out the bathroom door. Walked all the way to other end of terminal to find another bathroom. There was a line there as well, but it was shorter. Terminal smelt mouldy and mustey. Carpet was soiled and patchy. I cannot believe that KC politicians and business leaders stand for this. Business travellers know what a dump this place is.

Worst airport I have been in for a while. We travel often especially in the last year. I understand TSA needs to keep us safe but the people at this airport are lazy. At the beginning of the line there should have been a sign telling us what to do and everyone in that line should follow the same rules. I have not had to take my shoes off in any airport in the last year. No sign indicated shoes or boots needed to be removed. The people in front of me and behind me were allowed to wear their shoes. I have a Cpac. I have not been asked for years to take it out of the bag. Sometimes they ask me to open the bag which I am happy to do. I was traveling holding a five month old and my daughter with her three year. They decide I have to take the Cpac out while trying to hold the baby right when I get to the x-ray machine so I have to get another tub. Then he decides I and my daughter must take off our boots holding the baby. Not at the beginning of the line where the tubs are but right at the x-ray machine. I go through the machine and now he wants to test my fingers and makes me hold onto to the baby. The agents are all around talking among themselves and it takes several minutes to get someone over to test my hands while holding the baby! In addition we found a ladies purse and were kind enough to try to turn it in and security made us walk all over the place trying to give it to someone. It would have been easier to leave it where it was and I don't understand security would not take it from us. Lastly there is no place for a mother to nurse her baby in private. My daughter needed to nurse her baby and had to wait to exit the airport to do so.

I travel for my job and KCI has to be one of the worst airports I have been through. Directional signage throughout the airport is difficult to find and not clear. When I departed my plane upon arriving in Kansas City I was unable to find my way out of the gate area. There was no sign directing me where to go. When arriving at the airport at the end of my trip the security signs directed passengers to choose the right or left line; however the agent was partial to taking people from the right line rather than alternating lines. The gate areas have very little seating unless you want to walk and sit at another gate. The corridors in the entire airport are narrow and make it difficult to move around as you are always in someone's way. The bathrooms are lacking all around and they are filthy. There is a very slim selection of food options so the lines are extremely long and the staff rude. I saw unattended bags in the seating area at the gate while three men who appeared to be TSA agents stood about 10 feet away. I will avoid flying through this airport.

This airport needs to be refurbished all around. I'm handicapped and in a wheelchair. I had to use the restroom. I was traveling by myself. They have no way for disabled people to first even get the door open then when you get in there the stall is not big enough to get the wheelchair in the stall. It was not fun and ended up taking me three times the length of time it should of. In this day and age with Ada regulations this airport should not even be open. The skycap who got me through the airport with my wheelchair was rude and nasty. If you are that kind of person get a different job and stop working with the public.

There are good things and bad things about the set up of this airport. The biggest plus is the small size which makes it easy to get to where you need to go without having to walk through long sections of stores restaurants lounges etc. However that's because they don't have those amenities except for a couple so if you are a seasoned traveler who expects those you're out of luck. There isn't any real connection to public transportation here (only buses in KC) so you have to take a taxi use a shuttle to your hotel or pay to park in the lot and take a shuttle to and from the lot to the airport. The bathrooms are generally clean and not busy. The waiting areas are small but I've never seen it too crowded either. Security is right there at the waiting area so there's little walking you need to do between entering the airport and getting to your gate. The airline availability here is not ideal but it's adequate to get by. Basically if you aren't expecting to spend much time at the airport it can be quite nice to breeze in run through security and sit down ready to board your flight. If you are used to the amenities of bigger airports expect to be disappointed. Although there is talk of a huge billion dollar plus expansion to be done at the airport but that all depends on whether the people here want their tax dollars to pay for it and so far the attitude has not been positive.

This is the single worst American airport I have ever in 19 years of business travel flown in and out of. Seriously such major hubs as Kalamazoo Grand Rapids MI and Columbus OH have far more amenities than this run- down place. To have to walk outside to get to a bus stop to ride 10 minutes to rental car lot reminds me of Harare Zimbabwe. The rental car building is a gleaming beacon of modernity compared to "Terminal B". Whatever airport authority and elected reps have a hand in the place are really doing a major metro area a shameful disservice.

MCI is a throwback to the mid-20th century in the worst possible way. No thought has been given to the comfort and convenience of passengers. If future plans force me to visit K.C. I plan to fly into St. Louis and drive across Missouri.

Kansas City MCI has the unfortunate distinction of being built as a 'next generation' airport in the early 1970's. Back then travelers hopped out of a car and walked to straight to the gate in 50 steps or less. Times have changed. We now have security to deal with and MCI is not equipped to deal with the new realities. Once you clear security you are trapped in a very confined crowded low ceiling bad ventilation waiting area with almost non existent food or drink choices. I've seen bus waiting rooms with more amenities. The Airport authority is truly in a bind. What do they do? Re-design the airport and spend $ they do not have? It is an unfortunate position for all concerned.

Worst airport for security lines. No TSA pre-check. No priority access. 30 plus minutes to get through security on consecutive Monday mornings. Upgrades can't come fast enough.

Lines were very long. There was not enough staff to help people. Poor signage throughout check in areas. Disorganized lines. Every time a first-class passenger arrived in their line they were ushered in front of a whole line of people who had been waiting 40 minutes or more. Very elitist behavior. Staff were obviously told to do this. This also occurred at the security line as well where first-class passengers arrived and immediately were ushered in front of everyone else. Unacceptable. Very poor set up once past security. There is nothing to do and very little in the way of food and very small restrooms.

Dumpy airport for such a large city. Easy to get bags easy check in easy security. Literally almost nothing in the airport old pretty dingy but only place to fly into KC.

First and hopefully last time I use this airport. It is the worst airport I've ever been at. Essentially once you clear security you are corralled in an area of five gates. If you leave the area you have to go back through security. If the airport isn't busy maybe not a problem but if flights get backed up watch out. There are very few food choices and exactly one lavatory each for men and women-with the line out the door for both men and women. Avoid this place if at all possible.

Not enough restroom stalls in the secure area near the gates. Long lines for the women's room and dirty facility.

This airport is very pre-9/11. There are no food options past security other than a small food kiosk. I have heard a plan to build a new terminal. It is not very busy and flights are spaced out. I would have to not recommend the airport but there is no other option to travel to KC.

The airport lacks enough restrooms. Passengers have to leave terminals to get food and come back in through security and wait in line to get rechecked. The airport need to be remodelled to give passengers comforts that other airports have.

Used Kansas City as a base for a quick vacation - flew in on Continental out on Air Canada and had a return flight on Southwest in between. MCI is terrific for arrivals as the unique design allows one to be off the plane and on the street quicker than a small town airfield. Rental cars are centralized but shuttles are frequent and the rental car building is bright and pleasant. On the other hand it is an pain to get from one terminal to another (give yourself at least 20 minutes). There are slim pickings at the gate and if you are on an early morning flight (ie 06:20) don't expect the cafe in the secure area to have coffee... Long story short: I have been to worse and I have been to better.

KCI is my home airport and for short trips I can park in short term parking and literally walk across the street and be thru security and at my gate in 5-10 mins after shutting my car door! The security points at each gate save time; no trains to ride or fighting several hundred other people at central security points People are friendly and helpful.

While probably a good airport for passengers flying into or out of the area it is one of the worse for passengers making connections. I nearly missed making a connection because of the need to be rescreened even though the gates were in the same terminal and only four gates apart. The airport's archaic design requires separate screening when going from one gate to another unless they are literally next to each other. Accessing the restaurants also requires rescreening. To make matters worse they have a private firm doing the screening that is much less efficient than TSA. I'll never book another flight that requires connecting in Kansas City!

On the plus side for a 6.00am departure on AA it was 16 minutes from leaving a nearby hotel and we were through security. This airport has incredibly short walks for arriving and departing passengers. On the negative side although there was a Starbucks outside of security (how convenient for arrivals or airport employees) the little bar kiosk was not open at 5.00am so there was no place to buy a coffee or water or doughnut after security. I couldn't even find a drinking fountain. As long as all you want to do is board a plane this airport is great. If you have time to kill it's a hassle.

KCI seems to be a nice airport if you are not connecting though it. If you are connecting through it you may have to go through security again and that means you will have to get rid of that water bottle. Only one small bathroom per gate area with each gate area having 5 gates. Food choice in gate areas is just bad with Wolfgang Puck. Not worth the price.

True for connecting passengers MCI is not the best place to fly. but if it is your destination or departing point by far the best airport in the USA (this is out of the 30+ airports I flown in or out of) I hate feeling rushed when I am close to missing a plane every airport makes me feel like that. When I land at KCI (and I have no luggage checked) it is so awesome to walk off the plane into your car - like you just stopped at the local gas station.

I don't think David has been to KCI (known by locals) in a while. Restrooms are located within the gates. You don't have to go through security again to use a restroom.

MCI was designed in a pre-security era. The terminals are semi- circular with each group of 4-5 gates having its own security checkpoint. All of the shops restaurants and restrooms are outside the secured area. If Kansas City is your destination terrific. If it is your connection you'll loathe it. Per previous comments Kansas City's TSA staff might be the biggest buffoons of the lot. The last time I flew through there those jokers made me throw away a just-opened 20 oz. bottle of soda because they couldn't run it through the x-ray machine without a cap.

Thoughtful comments here - they capture what's good and bad about the airport. In short if you begin or end your trip in KC it's probably the single best airport in the country. Curbside to gate in 25 feet - an amazing and efficient design. However this is accomplished by every gate area being in it's own sterile security area just off curbside which poses the aforementioned headache for connecting passengers. KC for whatever reasons has never been good as a hub for airlines (recall back to Braniff 1 and 2 Eastern US Airways and the lowly and now defunct Vanguard Airlines) so most likely you're just an origin/destination passenger. The renovation has made it more up-to-date better services and better aesthestic design. It still suffers from no services even restrooms in the gate areas though. Security can be odd - I was once told that I could wear my tennis shoes through the detector but then pulled aside for complete pat-down because I did wear my tennis shoes (by the same guy who told me I could wear them an then pulled me aside for the same reason)- where's the logic? Good airport nevertheless.

I had a connecting flight in Kansas City yesterday from St. Louis. This was the first time I had been to MCI and was not aware of the layout and ended up outside of the secure area. The security lady was not very nice in the way she explained the situation. We went back through security (with a child) and then realized that all bathrooms and food were located outside the secure area. We changed the baby diaper in full view of other passengers sitting around and when everyone got on the plane there was a long line to use the restroom. This is the most ridiculous airport layout I have ever seen. Additionally there were birds flying around in the airport unsecure and secure areas. This is not too sanitary.

Kansas City International is an example of an airport that has the passenger in mind. This airport is the easiest to navigate out of any major airport in the country. With the recent renovations now done passengers will be greeted to a more friendly atmosphere and amenities that we have come to expect. The airport has virtually no wait times at security checkpoints and the drive to the gate feature is still truly remarkable. You can be dropped at the curb and be about 30 feet from your gate area. This is something that other airports fail to do. The biggest downside (to many) is the lack of amenities beyond security checkpoints. In most gate holding areas there are no restaurants gift shops and restrooms. To use any of these you must exit the sterile area and go through security once again after visiting them. This makes most passengers connecting at this airport angry. However the city has announced that restrooms will be built in the gate holding areas apparently this is the biggest complaint they have seen in recent years. To tell the truth I prefer the gift shops and restaurants outside the sterile area. Those living in KC have come to expect the lowest airfares in the nation. To have these inside the gate areas would create the opportunity for a airline to create a hub here and drive prices northward. This is why this airport is truly remarkable. It continues to attempt to discourage hubs and drive prices down with low-fare airlines offerings. Kansas City 's mix currently suits its passengers tremendously and one that should be quickly adopted at other major airports.

I like the relatively cheap fares in and out of MCI and I am used to the inconveniences of the airport's layout. I actually think they've done a great job with the airport despite the fact that it wasn't designed with today's security and amenities in mind. I must complain about one thing however. MCI is one of the few airports allowed to keep its private security screening force after the TSA took over most everywhere else. While these folks do a great job in keeping us safe they could do better in communicating with passengers. Case in point: I wear a pair of slip-on loafers whenever I fly which is at least 25 trips per year. In every other airport in the world I can keep my shoes on through the security checkpoint. At some places they have asked me if my shoes have been through before and since they don't set off the magnetometer I'm fine. At MCI they never ask me to remove my shoes but they always take me out and do the spread-eagle search on me. In the past they have never told me why I'm singled out for individual screening but on my last trip (4th this year) they told me that "my shoes fit a profile" for additional checks. "Can I just take off my shoes and send them through the X-Ray?" I asked very politely. And with rather brusque treatment I was made to undergo an embarrassing search that involved unbuckling of my belt unbuttoning of my pants untucking of my shirt removal of my shoes etc. And for the fourth time this year the ordeal is capped off with the scanning of my wallet through the x-ray machine which after scanning is left for anyone to swipe while I undergo this extensive search. I know we have to be safe post-9/11 and I'm all for enhanced security procedures. But why is MCI the only airport in the world where I go through this? And why have they never just told me to take my shoes off before walking through security? I think the private security staff at MCI needs a refresher course in courtesy. And adopting screening procedures more consistent with those at other airports would help a lot too.

Minimal walk from gate to baggage curb to ticket counter for most airlines seems to be a couple hundred feet at most.. The close-in parking garage is ideal for late runners with just a short walk across the street to the counters making Kansas City one of the easiest airports I have ever encountered. Recent terminal renewal has provided more concessions a brighter appearance and everyone that works in the airport seems to be helpful with none of that LGA attitude. On the down side all gates are inside their own sterile area and a trip to the bathroom means having to leave the sterile area to be rescreened. Fortunately most airlines screening lines are quick moving.

This month I flew from Baltimore to Salt Lake City on Southwest with a stop in Kansas City. MCI needs to be updated - you have to go through security at each set of gates because MCI was designed so that you can drive right up to the gate. This is inconvenient for passengers like me who were connecting and there's no concessions or restrooms when you get to the gates which can be quite a bummer especially if your flight is delayed after you get to the gate. Also the lighting was dim and the terminal looked old and I wasn't impressed with the variety of concessions. If a new redesigned terminal were built MCI would be a great place for an airline hub as it's within 2-3 flying hours of anywhere in the continental U.S.