After the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), MCI was one of five airports where the TSA has experimented with using independent contractors to inspect travelers.
The airport uses AKAL Security, an independent contractor that conforms to TSA's recruiting and training standards.
TSA supervises these independent contractors, but they are not federal employees.

In March 2010, the Transportation Security Administration announced that the airport would be one of the first in the U.S. to have full-body scanners with the first one used at Southwest Airlines beginning in the summer of 2010.

A $258 million terminal improvement project was completed in November 2004.
Under lead designer 360 Architecture, the following improvements were made:
Increased the size of each structural bay to provide larger vestibules, additional space for concessions, more public seating and improved customer service
The addition of retail space at curbside and airside to provide improved customer service
A more functional and cost-effective signage solution that relocated associated mechanical ductwork to the apron level below, thus exposing more of the existing concrete and original structure, while allowing more natural light into the concourse areas
Bathrooms were placed inside security.

Other improvements included new finishes throughout, new entrance vestibules to improve the airlock between the building interior and exterior, new baggage claim devices, updated retail areas, new exterior glazing and a common design for ticket counters that includes sunshade devices.

Following the renovations, all three terminals included blue terrazzo floors which were created by artists Kristin Jones and Andrew Ginzel (winning a 2002 Honor Award from The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association).
Additionally, updated arrival/departure screens were added, and restrooms and concessions were made available inside passenger holding areas.
In May 2007, the final portion of the project, a new rental car facility and additional art fixtures, were completed.

However, one problem remained after the renovation; the modifications necessary to implement TSA security created a situation where many secure gate areas have only a single restroom stall each for men and women.
The remaining restrooms are located across the hall, outside the secured area, necessitating an extra trip through TSA security.
As of 2001, certain gate areas had no serviceable restrooms within the secure area.

In 2006, the airport began offering free Wi-Fi.

Through the years, Kansas City had continued to invest in the three decentralized terminal concept by building multilevel parking structures on the inside fields of each of the "C" terminals—connected via tunnels.
After the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), MCI was one of five airports where the TSA has experimented with using independent contractors to inspect travelers. The airport uses AKAL Security, an independent contractor that conforms to TSA's recruiting and training standards. TSA supervises these independent contractors, but they are not federal employees.
In March 2010, the Transportation Security Administration announced that the airport would be one of the first in the U.S. to have full-body scanners with the first one used at Southwest Airlines beginning in the summer of 2010.
A $258 million terminal improvement project was completed in November 2004. Under lead designer 360 Architecture, the following improvements were made:
Increased the size of each structural bay to provide larger vestibules, additional space for concessions, more public seating and improved customer service
The addition of retail space at curbside and airside to provide improved customer service
A more functional and cost-effective signage solution that relocated associated mechanical ductwork to the apron level below, thus exposing more of the existing concrete and original structure, while allowing more natural light into the concourse areas
Bathrooms were placed inside security.
Other improvements included new finishes throughout, new entrance vestibules to improve the airlock between the building interior and exterior, new baggage claim devices, updated retail areas, new exterior glazing and a common design for ticket counters that includes sunshade devices.
Following the renovations, all three terminals included blue terrazzo floors which were created by artists Kristin Jones and Andrew Ginzel (winning a 2002 Honor Award from The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association). Additionally, updated arrival/departure screens were added, and restrooms and concessions were made available inside passenger holding areas. In May 2007, the final portion of the project, a new rental car facility and additional art fixtures, were completed.
However, one problem remained after the renovation; the modifications necessary to implement TSA security created a situation where many secure gate areas have only a single restroom stall each for men and women. The remaining restrooms are located across the hall, outside the secured area, necessitating an extra trip through TSA security. As of 2001, certain gate areas had no serviceable restrooms within the secure area.
In 2006, the airport began offering free Wi-Fi.
Through the years, Kansas City had continued to invest in the three decentralized terminal concept by building multilevel parking structures on the inside fields of each of the "C" terminals—connected via tunnels.
Kansas City International Airport