Travel News

The Kansas City International Airport is gearing up for its first Thanksgiving in a new terminal. On Thursday, officials with KCI sent out tips for travelers to keep in mind ahead of the holiday travel rush. With near-record passenger numbers forecasted, 405,000 across the next week and a half, travelers are also being urged to arrive at least two hours prior to their listed departure times.The Kansas City Aviation Department estimates the airport will be 15% busier than in 2022 and expects the busiest days to be Friday, Nov. 17 (40,000) and Sunday, Nov. 26 (43,100). Officials say the biggest difference flyers need to keep in mind between the old terminal and the new one is how passenger pick-up and drop-off works. KCI provided the following guide for prospective travelers. You can find additional information on FlyKC.com, which includes details on getting to and from the airport terminal, along with how-to videos.Passenger pick-up and drop-offA key element for the terminal two-level roadway and curbside drop-off and pickup-design separating vehicular traffic for departing and arriving passengers. To drop off passengers, drivers should follow signs for Departures. To pick up passengers, drivers should follow signs for Arrivals to the lower roadway and curb. Drivers picking up passengers should time their arrival at the curb to exactly when the passenger is at the curb, not when the aircraft landed or when they are at baggage claim. They should do this by tracking the flights arrival on the Internet and communicating with the passenger by cell phone voice or text. The passenger can inform the driver at which column number they are standing. Curb enforcementThe terminal curbs are restricted to active passenger loading and unloading. The new terminal has less total curb space than the old terminals, so vehicles sitting occupied or not cause traffic congestion, which inconveniences everyone. Flights can be missed. Parking or standing/idling at the curb are not allowed. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed.To keep things at the terminal curbs running smoothly, KCI Airport Police and Traffic Control Officers will strictly enforce parking restrictions, and ask drivers waiting curbside for passengers to move their vehicles and go the Cell Phone Waiting Lot. Cell Phone Waiting LotThe free Cell Phone Waiting Lot is available for motorists to await arriving passengers. Customers awaiting travelers are reminded that they may park in the relocated Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 680 Brasilia Avenue or its overflow lot near Brasilia and Paris Street. They may also park in the Economy Parking Lots free for up to two hours. ParkingThere is plenty of on-airport parking available with 22,000 spaces comprising Garage, Surface and Economy. Valet parking is available in the Garage at the Departures level. The close-in Garage and Surface regularly reach capacity so customers are urged to check FlyKC.com before leaving for the airport for parking availability. They should allow time to redirect to other lots. Convenient long-term parking options include Economy Parking and nearby Park Air Express valet-style parking off 112th St. and I-29. There are several off-airport parking options. TSA travel tipsPack smart; start with empty bags. Passengers who start with an empty bag while packing are less likely to bring prohibited items through the checkpoint. Certain foods, such as gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves must be packed in a checked bag because they are considered to be liquids or gels. As always, passengers may bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through the TSA checkpoint. Check for prohibited items by using the What Can I Bring? page on TSA.gov. or just ask @AskTSA.Bring an acceptable ID and have it out in the screening lane. Before heading to the airport, travelers must make sure they have acceptable identification. Know how to travel with a firearm. You must properly pack the firearm in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked bag and declare it with the airline at the ticket counter when checking in. Passengers are prohibited from packing firearms in carry-on luggage and bringing them to the airport security checkpoint and onboard aircraft. For more information on transporting firearms, visit: TSA.gov.Travel with ease with TSA PreCheck and ensure you have the TSA PreCheck mark on your boarding pass. TSAs trusted traveler program now has more than 90 participating airlines, is available at more than 200 airports and has two authorized enrollment providers. Those enrolled enjoy the benefits of faster checkpoint screening. The five-year membership costs just $78. More TSA Travel Tips: Check out TSAs helpful Traveler Information site for informationREAL ID deadline extended to May 7, 2025The requirement to present REAL ID-compliant identification in order to travel was extended to May 7, 2025.