KC’s year-old terminal just won four ‘Best Of’ industry awards; these businesses helped land the honors

The retail and restaurant mix featured within the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport is being lauded by industry insiders who hail the experience curated by Vantage Airport Group as one of the best of its kind in North America.

Restaurant offerings at the City Market-themed food hall space at KCI’s new terminal; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

In the terminal’s first year of operation, its offerings earned four honors at AXN’s Airport Experience Awards — including an award for Best Overall Program, which recognizes an airport that excels in providing an array of options in its food, retail, and services program that satisfies the needs and tastes of a range of travelers.

“Our goal of building an exceptional new airport terminal included offering world-class food and experiences to travelers,” said Melissa Cooper, director of aviation for Kansas City, Missouri. “These awards showcase the work that Vantage Airport Group and our many local businesses have done to deliver award-winning Kansas City-inspired concession program.”

The airport notably features a range of small businesses from within the local community, from Made in KC and Messenger Coffee to Safi Fresh and Martin City Brewing.

Click here to learn more about the range of shops and dining at the terminal.

AXN’s awards were announced earlier this month at one of the largest gatherings of airport commercial executives and concession operators in North America. Awards are voted on by a committee of industry executives.

In addition Best Overall, the new terminal earned top accolades in the medium/small airports division for:

•     Best Casual Dining Concept (Brown & Loe) — Operated by Outstanding Hospitality Management Concessions Group (OHM), the award recognizes a casual dining concept providing a high-quality, exceptional experience.

•     Best Local Inspired Restaurant (The Kansas City BBQ Experience) — An immersive eating and shopping experience, also operated by OHM, features authentic, made-in-KC BBQ dishes, rubs, and sauces.

•     Best Passenger Service (Directors Cut Take II) — A barbershop offering a pre-flight pampering experience with a full bar.

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Click here for a full list of winners.

“We are absolutely delighted to be selected as the winners of not just one but four prestigious awards,” said Sammy Patel, vice president, commercial, for Vantage Airport Group. “Together with the Kansas City Aviation Department, Outstanding Hospitality Management, and WH Smith North America, we have created a program focused on passengers and service excellence. These awards are a true testament to our bold approach creating a locally focused, Kansas City-inspired concession program that is transformative in so many ways.”

At more than 1 million square feet, the new terminal at Kansas City’s airport was the largest single infrastructure project in the City’s history. The facility opened in February 2023.