I noticed last night that they are installing updated signage throughout the airport to match the signage of the new expansion. It looks really sharp. That translucent green was looking dated. If they would take the tile out and put in terrazzo floor it would dramatically update the rest of the airport.

Also, no Lyft or Uber rides around midnight. There were about 8-9 people trying to get a ride. I waited for 20 mins or so and went downstairs and got the only taxi cab available. That was a bit worrying especially since there is no public transportation. (Not that it would be running that late anyway)

Dang - that's insane. Well, I guess that's why even at $12/day, the garage is always full to the brim!

I seriously thought I was going to be stuck at the airport. Uber and Lyft both couldn't locate any drivers, and when I went to the Ground Transport area there were no cabs. One pulled up as I was walking away. Uber sent me a $5 off coupon for the experience.

I seriously thought I was going to be stuck at the airport. Uber and Lyft both couldn't locate any drivers, and when I went to the Ground Transport area there were no cabs. One pulled up as I was walking away. Uber sent me a $5 off coupon for the experience.

You could always have called a cab, but yeah, that's serious amateur hour stuff, not something that should happen at OKC's airport (maybe Gotebo's, if they even have one :), but not OKC's).

You could always have called a cab, but yeah, that's serious amateur hour stuff, not something that should happen at OKC's airport (maybe Gotebo's, if they even have one :), but not OKC's).

Yeah, I would have eventually, but I was describing my immediate thought because the options were looking very grim. I understand that is not the airport's responsibility, there are only going to be so many late-night drivers in the middle of the week and they are probably not at the airport.

I have also experienced that scenario. Had to call a friend to come get me. Now I usually just drive and park because I recently realized how cheap the parking has gotten.

I think Uber/Lyft are supposed to notify drivers and add incentives to make the trip out there to get those riders. I feel like since the pandemic, drivers are hard to come by now.

Does Uber allow you to schedule rides? I've switched to Lyft and I think you can still schedule a ride in advance. Though even then I don't think it's guaranteed.

Does Uber allow you to schedule rides? I've switched to Lyft and I think you can still schedule a ride in advance. Though even then I don't think it's guaranteed.

You can schedule a ride but the request for the ride isn't processed until your scheduled time. So you're not placed in any special que just because you requested one earlier in the day. If it says "no cars available" you're sol.

I have also experienced that scenario. Had to call a friend to come get me. Now I usually just drive and park because I recently realized how cheap the parking has gotten.

I think Uber/Lyft are supposed to notify drivers and add incentives to make the trip out there to get those riders. I feel like since the pandemic, drivers are hard to come by now.

OKC airport has one of if not they cheapest parking rates in the country

^So true. I actually used to take an Uber to the airport all the time, but then I actually did the math one day and realized that for trips <= 7 days ($49), I’m pretty much breaking even with two Uber rides if I just park instead. Plus parking is way more convenient for coming and going when you desire.

From an out-of-towner perspective we do not have the option of leaving a car in the parking garage. The lack of transportation options late at night will be something I take into account for future trips. It cost me $38 with a tip to get downtown and that was my only option. Uber back to the airport during the day was $12 plus a $3 tip.

I got to check out the airport this past weekend. The new entry is very nice. I do feel like the entry into security area feels like you are going the wrong way. The new bathrooms and gates in this area make the rest of the airport ancient.

I flew out of a United gate at the very end of the terminal so I had the furthest walk possible. I timed the walk and it was under 5 minutes walking at a very slow/casual pace.

https://i.imgur.com/cSbBDMJ.jpeg

That fits with it being a quarter mile distance.

Oh good, that's not bad at all. Hopefully they are alert to those who might find that walk daunting (such as my grandmother) and have wheelchairs available.

Oh good, that's not bad at all. Hopefully they are alert to those who might find that walk daunting (such as my grandmother) and have wheelchairs available.

Wheelchair or other similar types of transportation are always available at every airport upon request. However, it's best to make that request when making reservations.

Does will Rodgers have those electric golf cart looking things riding around? Seems like the terminal will soon get close to needing some

https://twitter.com/fly_okc/status/1460274282366443522

Wine place is open

As someone who has flown in and out of there a few times since renovations, they are going to have to add some sort of newer, bigger signage for the exit. I've seen so many people walk by and then get real confused.

As someone who has flown in and out of there a few times since renovations, they are going to have to add some sort of newer, bigger signage for the exit. I've seen so many people walk by and then get real confused.

Fully agree.

They will need to add another exit or two.

flew in and out of OKC a few weeks ago. Southwest to Hawaii.

got there and kids were hungry and Freddy's would have been a lifesaver if it was open. There wasn't much to choose from unless you wanted to sit down and eat at the grill or the mexican restaurant (but the mexican restaurant was all the way on the other end)

On the return flight I think it was gate 18 and the sign above as you exited the plane said baggage claim and there was a piece of paper covering what was up there to show it was to the right and not the left.

nice to not have to drive to dallas but otherwise there was a lot left to be desired.

As someone who has flown in and out of there a few times since renovations, they are going to have to add some sort of newer, bigger signage for the exit. I've seen so many people walk by and then get real confused.

Seems like the old TSA is the only part of the -old- part of the airport being remodeled, they're installing the 1 way doors, a greeters area and flight displays in the space, give it time and we'll have our old exit back, I'd hope it'd be open for the holiday flight season

Anybody know what the plan is for the original Delta gates? Still blows my mind Delta was given the entire new wing.

Not sure if this is the best place to put this, but it looks like the only airport hotel is set to be demolished. It was a Sheraton Four Points and was downgraded to Quality Inn. It has been closed since March of 2020.

Peter Holmes of Hotel Broker One: "It's highly unlikely we will see a hotel built on airport grounds after this mainly due to FAA restrictions. It doesn’t appear our airport is highly motivated to have a hotel when we have a lot of hotels nearby.”

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/01/09/rogers-world-airport-tear-down-its-only-terminal-grounds-hotel/6441874001/

I had friends stay there back when it was a Sheraton, and it was in embarrassing condition at that time. Since that horrible experience they always stay down Meridian and had much better experiences with a couple of those hotels.

That old run-down place needed to go.

There are 30 hotels very nearby, all much nicer. It had become an embarrassing eyesore.

The FAA restrictions excuse is a common theme around airports, the reality is it’s just not true in most cases. The FAA will require a review of tower sight lines and runway clearance zones but it is often just that - a review. People are afraid to deal with the FAA when in reality the FAA is not as much of a burden as they seem from the outside.

There are plenty of airports with large hotels on property. All of them were built with the FAA’s assistance in not interfering with air traffic. It’s just an easy excuse to shift blame to the “big bad bureaucracy”.

^

With the surge in nearby hotels, you'd think the airport trust would want the revenue from ground-leasing to an operator that would love to be that close to the airport.

I understand wanting to scrap this old, crappy facility but wonder why they wouldn't pursue another chain, especially since they have been working so hard to generate revenue through all the development along Portland.

Is there a source from the airport trust themselves saying no plans for any replacement hotel? Maybe the article has more details but it'd be nice to have something a little more local that whoever Peter Holmes of Hotel Broker One is.

I'm sure a hotel will be built near the airport in the near future.

Is there a source from the airport trust themselves saying no plans for any replacement hotel? Maybe the article has more details but it'd be nice to have something a little more local that whoever Peter Holmes of Hotel Broker One is.

Should have included the entire quote: “We wanted to see it remain a hotel,” Holmes said. “We think a hotel at the airport is beneficial. It's highly unlikely we will see a hotel built on airport grounds after this mainly due to FAA restrictions. It doesn’t appear our airport is highly motivated to have a hotel when we have a lot of hotels nearby.”

The FAA restrictions excuse is a common theme around airports, the reality is it’s just not true in most cases. The FAA will require a review of tower sight lines and runway clearance zones but it is often just that - a review. People are afraid to deal with the FAA when in reality the FAA is not as much of a burden as they seem from the outside.

There are plenty of airports with large hotels on property. All of them were built with the FAA’s assistance in not interfering with air traffic. It’s just an easy excuse to shift blame to the “big bad bureaucracy”.

It’s too bad that height is supposedly the main issue/excuse holding it back with the FAA. If only the airport sat on a massive amount of empty land, owned by the airport trust, that could be used to spread the footprint out and reduce the building height. Though with such high density development out there, land has to be at a premium…………….

You'd think a (nicer) hotel on airport grounds would also help with FAA visitors

it's a missed opportunity that OKC didn't build an in-terminal hotel with the expansion. Nothing huge but a 100-150 room in terminal hotel would have been a HUGE complement to the expansion and would NOT have interfered with any FAA sights requirements and likely wouldn't have cost much (esp at the time).

I agree with Catch - probably time for OKC to get a taller tower if there's "concern" about the airport adding an on-grounds hotel or two. I think there's already plenty of space for new hotels to be built on Meridian near the FAA tower, where the rental cars used to be (I believe it's covered waiting area now).

I'm not sure how you'd make a hotel fit into the design, considering the future expansion that is planned.

yes, I agree it's a missed opportunity for a terminal hotel.

But I'm now recommending a couple of hotels be built near the FAA control tower along Meridian at the old rental car lots. That would be close enough to the terminal and you'd have incredible views of the airside. And since it's close to the tower you probably could get away with about 6 floors or so - or if perhaps they need a taller/bigger tower while we're at it.

Saw a news post today that said the Tropical Smoothie Cafe is now open

OKC Will Rogers World will receive $ 6,677,636 million and Tulsa International will receive $ 5,680,089 for improvement from the Biden Infrastructure bill. Does anyone know if there are any future plans to fund improvements like adding counters and additional gates etc., at Oklahoma's two largest airports.

Yes, it's peanuts for our two major airports, however I'm sure there is room for future expansion plans.

Oklahoma is on track to receive $27,447,942 for Oklahoma airports with the bulk of those funds going to:


OK LAW Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Lawton $ 1,033,984

OK OUN University of Oklahoma Westheimer Norman $ 295,000

https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/clientuploads/images/DSC_0918_-_airport_expansion.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fd/Wrwa.png
https://cdn.jetphotos.com/640/6/41638_1488659013.jpg
OK OKC Will Rogers World Oklahoma City $ 6,677,636
OK PWA Wiley Post Oklahoma City $ 763,000

OK SWO Stillwater Regional Stillwater $ 1,019,233


https://www.airport-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/10/1-tulsa-airport.jpg
https://alabackdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/Tulsa-International-Airport-1.png
https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a75b475/2147483647/strip/true/crop/883x457+0+0/resize/880x455!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fsites%2Fkwg s%2Ffiles%2F201202%2F3331742-127822117.JPG
OK TUL Tulsa International Tulsa $ 5,680,089


OK RVS Richard Lloyd Jones Jr Tulsa $ 763,000


Would love to gets some international flights to Mexico from alternating between Oklahoma's two major airports (WRWA and TI) without having to brave DFW for connections.

.

Would love to gets some international flights to Mexico from alternating between Oklahoma's two major airports (WRWA and TI) without having to brave DFW for connections.

.

Now that OKC has an FIS I could see Allegiant doing a weekly CUN or SJC nonstop. TUL does not currently have an FIS but I imagine it will be part of the next round of improvements.

So many acronyms.

Ultimate deciding factor for OKC to get more direct flights will be based on demand , passenger numbers and business growth.

So many acronyms.

FIS: Federal Inspection Services Facility

FIS: Federal Inspection Services Facility

Right, FIS means something different in my line of work.

Seems like several people in this thread have or currently work in the airline industry or airport. I find that people that do use an annoyingly large amount of acronyms that most normal people have no clue what they are. A good friend of mine used to work air traffic control and I know he did it just to annoy people. His comment is, it's easy for anyone that cares to know to look up on the internet. I tell him right there is the key, most people don't care, lol.

Right, FIS means something different in my line of work.

Seems like several people in this thread have or currently work in the airline industry or airport. I find that people that do use an annoyingly large amount of acronyms that most normal people have no clue what they are. A good friend of mine used to work air traffic control and I know he did it just to annoy people. His comment is, it's easy for anyone that cares to know to look up on the internet. I tell him right there is the key, most people don't care, lol.

Acronyms are very prevalent all across government.

Acronyms are very prevalent all across government.

Right, but that's not unique, all industries have their own lingo. Most people don't use it outside of work.

As they say at customer service training, don't use military lingo on civilians. In other words, don't use industry specific acronyms outside of your industry.

Right, but that's not unique, all industries have their own lingo. Most people don't use it outside of work.

As they say at customer service training, don't use military lingo on civilians. In other words, don't use industry specific acronyms outside of your industry.

This is an aviation thread... so it's not odd for people to be using airport acronyms in here.

Am I crazy, but i thought the new wing was open now or are they just using a really old image for Will Rogers?

And wow, what a contrast having the WR and Tulsa airports next to each other. TUL looks like a dump!

Am I crazy, but i thought the new wing was open now or are they just using a really old image for Will Rogers?

And wow, what a contrast having the WR and Tulsa airports next to each other. TUL looks like a dump!

That is an old picture and doesn't show the new roofing and skylights at the concourses. Most of TUL has been renovated over the past decade. They just chose to renovate the existing 60's era terminal vs. building new at WRWA.

Am I crazy, but i thought the new wing was open now or are they just using a really old image for Will Rogers?

And wow, what a contrast having the WR and Tulsa airports next to each other. TUL looks like a dump!

TUL looks bad from the outside, mostly due to the old roofing material. I really like the interiors though. It's such an easy little airport to get around and it feels super comfortable inside. Obviously I'm biased, but it's my favorite airport to fly in and out of.

There definitely was something to be said for tearing at least one terminal down and building something new and flashy though. Cities like Tulsa have to impress where they can. I think they made a pragmatic choice though. Hopefully it will be something we push for in the next Vision package since we will hopefully have outgrown the facilities by then. There's still room at the moment, but flights are being added all the time and obviously we want to make it easy for the big carriers to expand here.

Had the opportunity to go through the new space as a traveler today. Security is definitely a LOT better and not just sort of sticking out weirdly. However, the arrival/departure system was broken so everyone had to use their phones. That was a bummer. And the big sign that used to be outside of security is gone. That was actually REALLY helpful before. Now there's not even a good place for something like it. There are just two screens sort of slapped on the wall in the corner of the security exit area. For all the thought put in to the new space, I guess they forgot about that.

It's a decent walk now from one end to the other. To me, the whole place feels a little more complete now. Before, the east end just ended at a massive wall. No windows or anything, just wall. Always felt weird. I know it was just ugly cargo area on the other side of it, but still. And I have to say that i've spread the spectrum on airports today.

First, Will Rogers, and an overall pleasant experience.
Next, O'hare. It sucks. This is such a horribly designed pile of crap. Yes there are nice parts, yes there are LOTS of shops and places to eat. But the thing is just damned ugly inside and out. And why do we not believe in people movers in this slapped together pile of legos? I got 4k steps walking from one gate to the next for my connection. 4k people, no moving sidewalk, no tram, just walking.
Finally, i wont say where i ended up, but it only had 5 gates and we were the only plane there. Now that was culture shock..... We'll see how leaving from the 5 gate airport goes. Rental cars were onsite, but no booth. You just got in and drove out of the parking lot like you had parked your own car. Right out on to the main city road too. Something felt very weird LOL.

Have had the chance to fly in and out a couple of times since it’s opened including getting in from a flight last last night and echo the above (especially the parts about O’Hare!). I may have said it previously, but I really really hope they replace the tile with terrazzo in the rest of the airport at some point. While including some addition original Matt Goad artwork would be cool, I’d be happy with just continuing the base color. The girl has always been an eyesore, not to mention incredibly loud in the age of roller suitcases, it looks especially out of place now.

great to hear. did anyone take any pics?

As for Chicago O'Hare, they are supposed to be rebuilding the terminal complex to create a monster central building with a focus on alliance and not airline specific. Obviously, Star and OneWorld will be huge pieces for United and American and their partners respectfully, Delta and SkyTeam is supposed to take over the T5 terminal.

Not sure the plans but once this modernization is complete there might also be a brand new West Terminal likely for non-alliance airlines and Southwest. ..

Had the opportunity to go through the new space as a traveler today. Security is definitely a LOT better and not just sort of sticking out weirdly. However, the arrival/departure system was broken so everyone had to use their phones. That was a bummer. And the big sign that used to be outside of security is gone. That was actually REALLY helpful before. Now there's not even a good place for something like it. There are just two screens sort of slapped on the wall in the corner of the security exit area. For all the thought put in to the new space, I guess they forgot about that.


Are you talking about the oklahoma city flight information displays?
I'm the job superintendent that installed the displays in the new construction areas of the airport.
There's a set of boards before you enter the TSA lines, then there's another set of boards opposite starbucks towards the Delta gates.

At the new gates you have new boards past the wine bar.

The airport swapped all the samsung displays with LG displays.

At the 2 new secure exits they each have new sets boards.

They seem more functional to me, I did question the placement of the set that are in line with the observation deck staircase, because I thought more people would use it if it was in line with the automated secure exit

Have had the chance to fly in and out a couple of times since itÂ’s opened including getting in from a flight last last night and echo the above (especially the parts about OÂ’Hare!). I may have said it previously, but I really really hope they replace the tile with terrazzo in the rest of the airport at some point. While including some addition original Matt Goad artwork would be cool, IÂ’d be happy with just continuing the base color. The girl has always been an eyesore, not to mention incredibly loud in the age of roller suitcases, it looks especially out of place now.

Exactly, when I left monday I noticed there were a handful of holes in the tile, that are a high heel or a roller bag getting stuck from a major incident.

Disappointed that they aren't more aggressive in getting the rest of the airport looking like the new.

Maybe split the main concourse in two and replace the tile floor in several phases.

Think Southwest has the worst looking holding areas, they should update it, then move over to the old Delta gates and update those. Then move someone from the West side to fill the 3 gates, think Breeze, Frontier, Alliegant or Alaska Airlines should fill the space somehow. Then update the West side gates one at a time

Are you talking about the oklahoma city flight information displays?
I'm the job superintendent that installed the displays in the new construction areas of the airport.
There's a set of boards before you enter the TSA lines, then there's another set of boards opposite starbucks towards the Delta gates.

At the new gates you have new boards past the wine bar.

The airport swapped all the samsung displays with LG displays.

At the 2 new secure exits they each have new sets boards.

They seem more functional to me, I did question the placement of the set that are in line with the observation deck staircase, because I thought more people would use it if it was in line with the automated secure exit

When you walked out of security before, it was LARGE and in your face so you couldn't miss it. Now it's SUPER SMALL and you have to look for it. I'd say both size and placement need to be reviewed. If you're not using at least an 80" display, you're not doing it right. I'm thinking of other airports and in the new space, there isn't a good place to put them on a wall. Really, im thinking we would be better served with an island of displays.

And of course, it needs to work. Monday morning with all the business flyers was a terrible time for it to be down. I'm sure that's not common.

When you walked out of security before, it was LARGE and in your face so you couldn't miss it. Now it's SUPER SMALL and you have to look for it. I'd say both size and placement need to be reviewed. If you're not using at least an 80" display, you're not doing it right. I'm thinking of other airports and in the new space, there isn't a good place to put them on a wall. Really, im thinking we would be better served with an island of displays.

And of course, it needs to work. Monday morning with all the business flyers was a terrible time for it to be down. I'm sure that's not common.

There were some kiosks in the plans and I'm not quite sure what happened to them.
But as you and I know there's only so many gates your plane is going to leave from.
Something was wrong with the system because my app didn't have a gate.

OKC is still old school with the signs they manually change at each flight for the most part, it sucks that they updated all the blue gate signs, they are so past the times, and they should at least had a minimum of a 43 inch display near the gate number, listing the airline and cycle through the arrivals and departures of flights at that gate.

When they do that, maybe they'll go more automated on the boarding announcements, I fly Southwest a bunch and some of their scripts are cool when they go off the rails a lil but its the same announcement in every airport.

OKC Will Rogers World will receive $ 6,677,636 million from the Biden Administration's recently passed bipartisan 1 Trillion infrastructure bill ; use some if that money to fix the WRWA signage problem.

And additional funding is on the way, thanks to the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed last month by Biden (November 2021). The infrastructure bill is expected to send at least $5 billion to Oklahoma for various projects over the next few years.

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/12/03/NOKL/b59e7a80-e870-476e-9ed9-512fbb175ef6-1205_ok_infrasructure-01.jpg

$ 6,677,636 million

6.7 million million is a lot!

Anyone know when Starbucks is actually open? Have had a couple 6:00 to 6:30 AM flights recently and it was closed up through time of departure even through the airport was packed. Rather disappointing, both for me and for our airport in general.

Anyone know when Starbucks is actually open? Have had a couple 6:00 to 6:30 AM flights recently and it was closed up through time of departure even through the airport was packed. Rather disappointing, both for me and for our airport in general.

If you tweet at the airport, they usually respond pretty quick and listen to all feedback https://twitter.com/fly_okc?s=20&t=RRXc6e1AT76zXaNW70gNPA

Anyone know when Starbucks is actually open? Have had a couple 6:00 to 6:30 AM flights recently and it was closed up through time of departure even through the airport was packed. Rather disappointing, both for me and for our airport in general.

Supposed to be 5:00 am

https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1031840/okc-main-terminal-upper-level-7100-terminal-dr-oklahoma-city-ok-73159-us

Supposed to be 5:00 am

https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1031840/okc-main-terminal-upper-level-7100-terminal-dr-oklahoma-city-ok-73159-us

Phoenix actually started getting aggressive about their vendors not being back to their normal hours. https://thepointsguy.com/news/phoenix-concessions-vendors-closed/