Making flying out of KCI plane and simple

All you need to know about KCI

There are a few things to know before you’re hurtling along the moving walkways. | Photo by KCtoday

The new terminal at the Kansas City International Airport opens on Tuesday, Feb. 28. We toured the terminal to help make your time at KCI as smooth as possible, and we created this guide that covers everything from parking and gates to food, drink, and nonstop flights.

💡 What to know

Photo of Check-in hall with hanging sculpture — First of all, look up when you enter the check-in hall.

Website | FlyKCI.com, meet FlyKC.com. This new website will help answer your questions.
TSA | 16 lanes are centrally located next to the check-in desks. Infrequent fliers can check out these travel tips.
Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, this interactive map will get you started. Think of the shape of the terminal like a big “H” for “home.”
Food and drink | Between four coffee roasters, three barbecue options, three craft breweries, two food halls, and other local favorites, this terminal features 50+ food and retail options.
Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.

Did you know? KCI’s identifier code is actually MCI, which stands for Mid-Continent International Airport. That’s what it used to be called before the name change in 1972.

🚕 Parking, shuttles, and rideshare

Photo of departure drop-off zone — Are you a garage person or a drop-off person?

Not everyone has a best friend who will drop everything to pick them up from their 3 a.m. arrival. Parking in the garage or surface lot is $1 for 30 minutes and $3 for 30-60 minutes. The price per day is as listed:

Garage parking | $25/day
Surface lot parking | $18/day
Economy parking | $7.50/day

The new drop-off and pick-up zones — now on separate levels — have dedicated shuttle, rideshare, and taxi curb space. Here’s a map.

Did you know? If you’re going to pick someone up, KCI’s cell phone lot is located at 680 Brasilia Ave.

Click the button for the full guide — and make sure you save it for your next flight.

✈️ FLIGHTS, GATES, AND FOOD

How early do you get to the airport before a flight?

A. Play it safe: 2+ hours
B. 1.5 hours is plenty
C. 1 hour is just right
D. Live dangerously: half an hour or less

TELL US, HERE

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Today, Feb. 20

8th Annual Waldo Week | Today-Friday, Feb. 24 | Locations vary | Price of purchase | Dig into special offers at participating businesses, with proceeds benefiting Lucky 13 pet rescue.
SciFun Camp: The Science of Sound | Monday, Feb. 20 | 8:20 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $40-$50 | Kids will learn how a sound changes in water vs. air and how to make their own instruments.
Bollywood & Bhangra Dance Workshop | Monday, Feb. 20 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Kansas City Wellness Club, 918 A Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO | $20 | Experience an Indian dance culture while getting a workout and meeting new people.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

KCK Women’s Chamber Network: February Mixer | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5-7 p.m. | Unbound Experience Center, 1 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, KS | $20-$25 | Enjoy drinks, light apps, and networking with fellow women in business.
2023 MARDI GRAS: Beads, Beans & Booze | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | J. Reiger & Company, 2700 Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, MO | $50 | Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Cajun-inspired food, get-down music, and bottles of booze.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

History on Tap: “From Fancy to Flappers to Farm: Fashion of the Twenties” | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, 11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, KS | $5 | Expert Mary L. Schmidt exhibits a selection of garments from her collection of 1920’s fashion while you sip Servaes Brewing beer.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Lit Lovers Trivia Night | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Casual Animal Brewing Co., 1725 McGee St., Kansas City, MO | $20 | Are you book smart? Test your shelf knowledge at this literature-themed trivia night.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

60º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Development

Overland Park leaders broke ground on a Highway 69 expansion that will add express lanes between 103rd and 151st streets. Drivers who want to use the lanes for a speedier commute will pay $0.35 to $1.75 per trip. The new roadways are expected to open in 2025. 🚗 (FOX4)

Sports

Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is leaving to become the Washington Commanders’ new offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. The change comes with an upgraded title, a chance to build his staff, and a multi-year commitment. 🏈 (Arrowhead Pride)
Sporting KC signed center back Robert Castellanos for the 2023 season with options in 2024 + 2025. The 24-year-old formerly played for Nashville SC and the U-20 US youth international team. ⚽️

Watch

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce announced he will host Saturday Night Live on March 4 — which was later confirmed by the show. “I am so nervous for that,” Kelce said on “The Tonight Show.” Watch the full clip, including a preview of Kelce’s karaoke skills. 🎤

Civic

Prairie Village city officials want to renovate or rebuild city hall as well as remodel the police station. City staff recently presented options ranging from $29 million to $42 million. City hall was built in 1971. Both buildings are reportedly too small to accommodate the civic workers. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Arts

Last March, Kansas City Museum announced artists would transform the property’s Beaux-Arts Conservatory into a light-filled venue called JewellHouse. Leaders released two renderings of the space, which will be used for humanities programs, performances, and events. It’s slated to open in 2024. 💎

Concert

“Just Give Me A Reason” to go to this show. P!nk is coming to Kansas City. The pop star, known for hits like “Raise Your Glass” and “Try,” will bring her “TRUSTFALL Tour” to the T-Mobile Center on Friday, Oct. 27. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 24. (FOX4)

The Word

Baño. That’s Spanish for “bathroom” — something you’ll definitely need to know if you’re traveling to Central or South America this year, like 12% of our readers. Babbel’s easy, bite-sized lesson plans will ensure you know what to say when you have to go. (Read: Be talking like a local in as little as three weeks.) 🌏 *

Shop

Say goodbye to wrinkled clothes. This sleek garment steamer is leakproof and lightweight, making it easy to steam your clothes from home or while on the go. Bonus: It heats up in just 30 seconds and is suitable for a wide range of fabrics. 👚 *

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From championship rings to baseball diamonds

Marquez Valdes-Scantling announces Chiefs softball game for charity

Picture of MVS holding a KC Monarchs jersey

MVS with Monarchs owner Mark Brandmeyer. | Photo by KCtoday

Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is taking to the field... the baseball field. The Super Bowl champion announced he will host the MVS Charity Softball Game at Legends Field this summer, featuring his Chiefs teammates.

“Baseball was my first sport,” Valdes-Scantling said, mentioning he played shortstop and center field.

The charity event will debut on Friday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are already on sale, starting at $25. Proceeds from the game will go to the wide receiver’s new charity, Humble Beginnings Foundation.

“It was about giving back to the less fortunate, whether that be youth or homeless,” he said.

Fans can expect to see the Chiefs players up close with opportunities to get signed balls and autographs. And of course, there will be some friendly competition.

“See what the home run derby is all about. See if Pat’s really as good as he said he was.”

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Travis.

Editor’s pick: I had my first lunch at Caffetteria Modern Cafe — at 25 On The Mall, Prairie Village, KS — and I was very impressed. I had the club with sweet potato fries, which was amazing, but I was more jealous over my lunch date’s salmon salad. Very drool-worthy.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? No one will blame you for celebrating National Acts of Kindness Day a little late.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Amanda Munsey | Advertise with us.

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