RateItAll: The Opinion Network

In short, if you begin or end your trip in MCI , 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 few services, 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.

It's ok but it is way out in the sticks. Prepare for a long ride to town.

I enjoyed the old close to downtown airport, but it was hairy landing so close to the buildings. It remined me of Chicago Midway in that respect.

The design of it sucks, I'm from KC but will never use it to connect, worst airport design in the country. It's not user friendly at all, and it's squirly the way you have to reenter the secure gates, they have way too many entrances into each terminal, they should only have one entrance to a terminal and secure the building off, or better yet, just build a new terminal.

I work at MCI for a major airline and I hear the complaints everyday about how horrible the airport is...and I understand. The airport just completed a $258 million renovation, but they didn't solve any of the problems, but pretty much gave it a sleek, modern face-lift. There are no concessions or restrooms in the gate hold rooms, so each time a passenger inside the gate area wants something to eat, has to use the bathroom, or even wants to pick up a magazine, they must gather all their belongings (can't leave 'em unattended), and proceed outside of the security checkpoint and re-enter and be screened again. MCI was a great airport when it first opened in 1971 before security was a major concern... The city of KC calls this the most passenger friendly airport in the country. I have a hard time believing this when I hear complaints everyday about how bad the airport is laid out. Really, KC is loosing business b/c I've heard that customers will avoid KC at all cost when they have to make a connection. I don't blame them. However, things will change (hopefully). I wrote a letter to several media outlets and copied KCI airport administration...and my coworkers and myself encouraged each customer who complained about the airport design to write to the administration. After completing the renovation, they were under budget, so they will retrofit all the gate areas for restrooms and possibly snack stands. KCI could be a great airport, but the design really henders any growth.

KCI is ok, but it's not like the typical airport and it's configuration has hurt the city from having flights or a hub. If the terminals were laid out as concourses more airlines would have more flights or an airline would have a hub. Pretty airport but layout is not 21st century.

A decent airport, but no bathrooms once you get past security.

A fine airport -- but way too far from the city.

Kansas City's airport is a great alternative to the standard airport configuration, and the only reason I didn't give it five stars is because it's so far from downtown KC (about 16 miles, but it's all expressway).

Kansas City International is a unique concept: three huge terminal rings with no long concourses, meaning that you can drive (or take a cab) to within fifty feet of your departure gate. It's not ideal for off-line connecting flights, but its the most passenger-friendly major airport in the U.S. for people who are beginning or ending their air travel at this airport. Everybody seems to refer to the place as "KCI" but the airport's official designation is "MCI."