Kansas City International Airport has something new to brag about: the recently rebuilt facility has landed a spot in the top five in a new national study ranking the best airports in the United States, according to FOX4KC.

The recognition is a milestone moment for a city that invested years of planning and community conversation into its gleaming new single-terminal airport, which opened in early 2023. KCI was designed with Kansas City travelers in mind — featuring shorter walks to gates, more local dining and retail options, and a layout that locals and visitors alike have praised for its ease and efficiency.

Making a top-five list among all U.S. airports is no small feat. Kansas City competes for travelers with major hub cities across the country, and earning this kind of national recognition puts KCI in elite company. The study highlights what many Kansas Citians already know: their airport punches well above its weight.

The timing of the recognition adds to the good feeling. As the summer travel season winds down and fall getaways ramp up, the ranking serves as a timely reminder that flying in and out of Kansas City is one of the more pleasant airport experiences in the nation.

For a city that takes pride in its world-class barbecue, its championship football team, and its vibrant arts scene, being home to one of America’s best airports is one more feather in Kansas City’s cap — and one more reason visitors and residents alike have to smile when they touch down at KCI.

Sources: FOX4KC.com