Kansas City is the top U.S. summer destination, one source says. See why
By one metric, one of the hottest travel destinations this summer is home to six FIFA World Cup games, including a quarterfinal.
New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure revealed its list of the top trending domestic and international summer travel destinations for 2026. The magazine reviewed Google Flights data, looking at increases in year-over-year flight searches for domestic and international trips departing from United States airports between June 1 and Aug. 31.
Google Flights’ data showed that Kansas City was the top trending domestic summer destination. Some of the activities visitors were excited to check out include the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium and the Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City, according to Google.
Airline seat numbers at Kansas City International Airport for June 2026 are up 4.6% over June 2025, which adds up to 62,149 additional seats and 312 additional flights, according to data from the Kansas City Aviation Department.
However, the data also shows that June 2025 seat numbers at KCI were down 4% from June 2024. Aviation Department Deputy Director Justin Meyer told Star columnist David Hudnall that if you include July, Kansas City’s year-over-year increase for June and July 2026 is around 5.6%, higher than the 3.3% average across World Cup markets.
The city has said it’s expected to attract 650,000 visitors to the Kansas City region and generate a direct economic impact exceeding $653 million. The numbers shared do not say if those visitors are only through air travel or if they also include visitors driving to the area for the games.
Meyer also said that airlines could add charter flights closer to games, similar to when nonstop flights would be added for AFC Championship games hosted by the Chiefs.
Kansas City was featured on Travel + Leisure’s domestic travel list alongside other cities hosting FIFA World Cup games, like Dallas and San Francisco. Another host city, Mexico City, Mexico, ranked No. 2 on the international travel list.
