Are security wait times longer at the Kansas City airport? What to know
As the partial government shutdown continues, some travelers across the country have had to deal with longer wait times as they go through security. But is it affecting Kansas City?
Officers with the Transportation Security Administration are required to work without pay until funding is restored. But the Kansas City International Airport (which goes by the airport code MCI) security isn’t staffed by TSA officers. The company that does KCI’s security is a subcontractor called VMD Corp.
If you have more concerns about flying out of the Kansas City airport soon, here’s how you can check wait times, security and more.
Wait times at MCI Airport
While the MCI website doesn’t provide updates on TSA wait times, flyers can download the MyTSA App, which shows passengers how busy the airport is likely to be on your specific day and time of travel based on historical data. You can also get live assistance from TSA with questions you may have.
On Air Parking, an app that provides parking at airports across the country, shows the security wait time on its website.
How to check the status of your MCI flight
Flyers can keep up with their flights by using the live flight tracker on flykc.com, where you can find your flight using your flight number or searching the airline and city.
If you want to double-check with your airline, here are some helpful websites and phone numbers you can use to look up your flight status:
- Delta Airlines: 1-800-221-1212
- American Airlines: 800-433-7300
- Southwest Airlines: 1-800-435-9792
- United Airlines: 1-800-864-8331
- JetBlue: 1-800-538-2583
- Spirit Airlines: 1-855-728-3555
- Allegiant Air: 1-702-505-8888
You can also check the status of your flight on FlightAware by searching by flight number, origin or destination.
What to do if your flight is delayed, cancelled
If your flight gets delayed, the U.S. Department of Transportation says you can usually try switching to another flight on your airline through its website or app.
You can also ask to be moved to a different airline, but they don’t have to honor that request or reimburse you if you buy a new ticket elsewhere.
When a flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on the next available option for free. And if you decide not to travel because of the cancellation, you’re entitled to a full refund, even on non-refundable tickets.
MCI Airport parking
Travelers can look at flykc.com/parking to find parking spots, rewards, electric vehicle charging and more options regarding parking at MCI. The airport also offers complimentary jump-starts, air for tires, lock-out, snow dig-out, and lost vehicle location service.
Travelers can call MCI at 816-243-5870 for on-site assistance.
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
This story was originally published March 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
