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

Good! The state of coffee at WRWA has been completely pathetic the last few times we've flown, thought it'd be better by now (last time we were there was months ago).

Good! The state of coffee at WRWA has been completely pathetic the last few times we've flown, thought it'd be better by now (last time we were there was months ago).Yeah, the place down at the transition from central to west concourse was closed too. Really, no place to get coffee at 6:00 AM when the airport is packed.

Any news on whether Breeze will have flights to/from OKC?

Any news on whether Breeze will have flights to/from OKC?

Nothing new on their schedule. The Tampa route stops early September from TUL and OKC. Tulsa will have Nashville but not OKC. So probably no more Breeze in OKC but I hope it changes according to the number of planes they have available. They have a lot of A 220 in order.

I use their Tampa route several times a year and it is so practical.. Fully packed on the TPA bound on Saturday 6/4 but only 2\3 full on the OKC bound yesterday.

Nothing new on their schedule. The Tampa route stops early September from TUL and OKC. Tulsa will have Nashville but not OKC. So probably no more Breeze in OKC but I hope it changes according to the number of planes they have available. They have a lot of A 220 in order.

I use their Tampa route several times a year and it is so practical.. Fully packed on the TPA bound on Saturday 6/4 but only 2\3 full on the OKC bound yesterday.

I just read an article about their A220s and it had me wanting to book a flight! Hopefully they give us some love with those new planes.

I just read an article about their A220s and it had me wanting to book a flight! Hopefully they give us some love with those new planes.

I've been on a couple of Delta's A220s and loved them. I'm hopeful Delta would upgrade some of our flights to those too.

Is there a cannabis amnesty drop off box at the departure area?

Is there a cannabis amnesty drop off box at the departure area?

If there isn't I have a great idea......

Looks like the city and state trying working on International flights. These things take time I suppose.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/2022/07/18/international-travel-rogers-world-airport-could-come-soon/9961312002/

Looking at this map, OKC is pretty well connected https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-oklahoma-city-okc. I would just say that the frequency of those direct flights are what's lacking.

I feel like the article is a bit unfair. Of course if you aren't a massive hub, most cities our size probably have to connect through somewhere to get to most airports in the US or world.

If we are talking straight business expansion, then i would think BOS, PHL, YYZ, DTW, DAL, and IAD would be the most logical. Leisure expansion I think CUN has to be on the top of the list, followed by MEX and PVR/SJD

Looking at this map, OKC is pretty well connected https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-oklahoma-city-okc. I would just say that the frequency of those direct flights are what's lacking.

I feel like the article is a bit unfair. Of course if you aren't a massive hub, most cities our size probably have to connect through somewhere to get to most airports in the US or world.

If we are talking straight business expansion, then i would think BOS, PHL, YYZ, DTW, DAL, and IAD would be the most logical. Leisure expansion I think CUN has to be on the top of the list, followed by MEX and PVR/SJD

Charleston had a flight to London on British Airways...OKC can do something like that. Or Toronto on Air Canada (Omaha had that for a few years, before the pandemic ended it). Or at least get every US hub covered. PDX, BOS, EWR, SFO, PHL, etc.

It's unrealistic to expect nonstop flights from OKC to everywhere since we're not a hub. But it IS very realistic to expect OKC to have at least one flight per day to every major hub and a flight per week to a few in Canada (YYZ-Toronto, YVR-Vancouver) where the numbers work out for overseas connections.

To me, OKC priorities should be all about 1) full connectivity from all US major hubs, 2) frequent daily business flights to major hubs, 3) leisure flights served by LCC/ULCC, 4) business flights to non-hub cities where the numbers work out, 5) at least weekly flights to Canada (YYZ, YVR), 6) International flights to Mexico for latin-American connectivity.

The main issues for OKC are competition from DFW/DAL and TUL, to a lesser extent ICT (given they subsidize). All of these airports are easy to access from OKC, vs. say ABQ or OMA where they are more isolated and serve the entire state/region. OKC has to be creative, capitalize on what works and add in a few niche routes to encourage connection IN OKC - that builds numbers. For example, airports state Millions of pax when in reality Hub airports double-count a significant portion of their traffic (One Connecting Pax = 1 Arrival + 1 Departure) whereas OKC with very little if any connecting traffic gets O&D only.

Impressive that OKC is 4.4M per year, basically O&D only, but would be better if we added 1M+ from connections and weekly International (Canada, Mexico). I think this is very doable and might win Pax from surrounding cities - it's something that OKC may need to subsidize to get started, but first we need to meet the steps above and get every US hub. OKC used to have all hubs (except BOS, PDX - which isn't really a hub) before the pandemic.

I wonder what would be the real number of passengers of some airports without their connecting passengers.
Obviously, OKC has no connecting passengers ( or marginal) so its people going through the terminal doors.

In august we will lose the AA service to Miami, the Breeze one to Tampa. Not good news.

For international development, Cancun and Mexico City will be a top priority. Maybe Toronto can happen.

I wonder what would be the real number of passengers of some airports without their connecting passengers.
Obviously, OKC has no connecting passengers ( or marginal) so its people going through the terminal doors.

In august we will lose the AA service to Miami, the Breeze one to Tampa. Not good news.

For international development, Cancun and Mexico City will be a top priority. Maybe Toronto can happen.

We lose the AA service to Miami?!

August 15th is the last day for the Miami non-stop.

August 15th is the last day for the Miami non-stop.

Where did you see this?

I do not have anymore information

All I know is after August 15th, you can not book this flight anymore. Flight connection shows it ends in August if you click on it.

I do not know anything about it returning or not at a further date but this route was not seasonal.

It shows back up in Nov I believe.

I wonder what would be the real number of passengers of some airports without their connecting passengers.
Obviously, OKC has no connecting passengers ( or marginal) so its people going through the terminal doors.

In august we will lose the AA service to Miami, the Breeze one to Tampa. Not good news.

For international development, Cancun and Mexico City will be a top priority. Maybe Toronto can happen.

Miami is more than likely a symptom of the condition of the industry as a whole, rather than OKC itself. That round trip uses up significant aircraft and crew time, both of which are in extremely tight margins right now for all airlines, but especially the regional carriers.

Miami is more than likely a symptom of the condition of the industry as a whole, rather than OKC itself. That round trip uses up significant aircraft and crew time, both of which are in extremely tight margins right now for all airlines, but especially the regional carriers.

Hopefully the bill to raise pilot retirement age to 67 passes and we can get some short term relief.

It's unrealistic to expect nonstop flights from OKC to everywhere since we're not a hub. But it IS very realistic to expect OKC to have at least one flight per day to every major hub and a flight per week to a few in Canada (YYZ-Toronto, YVR-Vancouver) where the numbers work out for overseas connections.

To me, OKC priorities should be all about 1) full connectivity from all US major hubs, 2) frequent daily business flights to major hubs, 3) leisure flights served by LCC/ULCC, 4) business flights to non-hub cities where the numbers work out, 5) at least weekly flights to Canada (YYZ, YVR), 6) International flights to Mexico for latin-American connectivity.

The main issues for OKC are competition from DFW/DAL and TUL, to a lesser extent ICT (given they subsidize). All of these airports are easy to access from OKC, vs. say ABQ or OMA where they are more isolated and serve the entire state/region. OKC has to be creative, capitalize on what works and add in a few niche routes to encourage connection IN OKC - that builds numbers. For example, airports state Millions of pax when in reality Hub airports double-count a significant portion of their traffic (One Connecting Pax = 1 Arrival + 1 Departure) whereas OKC with very little if any connecting traffic gets O&D only.

Impressive that OKC is 4.4M per year, basically O&D only, but would be better if we added 1M+ from connections and weekly International (Canada, Mexico). I think this is very doable and might win Pax from surrounding cities - it's something that OKC may need to subsidize to get started, but first we need to meet the steps above and get every US hub. OKC used to have all hubs (except BOS, PDX - which isn't really a hub) before the pandemic.

Come on - you really expect that OKC could get up to 1m+ pax/year in connections? Huh? OKC is a spoke, not a hub. Our priority should be getting (re)-connected to all of the major domestic hubs. For example DL has dropped DTW, AA has dropped PHL and apparently is going to drop MIA? Yikes that's bad.

And let's be serious here, no airline (especially not Air Canada) is going to start weekly service to OKC from any of their Canadian hubs. What business sense would a weekly service make? Zero. Plus, OKC's population probably just isn't diverse enough; it's not like AC thinks they're going to be connecting passengers on OKC-YYZ-India routes or anything like that. Anyone flying internationally out of OKC is more than adequately served by connections through DFW, ORD, LAX, etc.

Come on - you really expect that OKC could get up to 1m+ pax/year in connections? Huh? OKC is a spoke, not a hub. Our priority should be getting (re)-connected to all of the major domestic hubs. For example DL has dropped DTW, AA has dropped PHL and apparently is going to drop MIA? Yikes that's bad.

And let's be serious here, no airline (especially not Air Canada) is going to start weekly service to OKC from any of their Canadian hubs. What business sense would a weekly service make? Zero. Plus, OKC's population probably just isn't diverse enough; it's not like AC thinks they're going to be connecting passengers on OKC-YYZ-India routes or anything like that. Anyone flying internationally out of OKC is more than adequately served by connections through DFW, ORD, LAX, etc.

The Miami route is back on the schedule Oct 30

The Miami route is back on the schedule Oct 30

Nice! I just checked some random dates in November and found it back on the schedule. Maybe just a temporary stoppage during hurricane season? I imagine this flight is mainly geared toward Caribbean connections and tourism to the Caribbean really slows down in the fall (many resorts close too). Makes sense that it's coming back - really opens up the whole Caribbean to us!

Come on - you really expect that OKC could get up to 1m+ pax/year in connections? Huh? OKC is a spoke, not a hub. Our priority should be getting (re)-connected to all of the major domestic hubs. For example DL has dropped DTW, AA has dropped PHL and apparently is going to drop MIA? Yikes that's bad.

And let's be serious here, no airline (especially not Air Canada) is going to start weekly service to OKC from any of their Canadian hubs. What business sense would a weekly service make? Zero. Plus, OKC's population probably just isn't diverse enough; it's not like AC thinks they're going to be connecting passengers on OKC-YYZ-India routes or anything like that. Anyone flying internationally out of OKC is more than adequately served by connections through DFW, ORD, LAX, etc.

continue to think small-time and Wichita will pass OKC behind just like Dallas did years ago, and the OKC Thunder will return as the Seattle Supersonics! ....

I'm all for realism, Wichita subsidizes most of its routes (which are basic to hub cities). OKC could look at subsidizing International, as I'm sure the missing hub routes will return IF the airlines continue with their current hub network. And I didn't say Air Canada. There's MANY other airlines that could do OKC-YYZ and/or OKC-YVR, esp if OKC upped it's game (at least to start).

It appears that OKC leadership is starting to agree with me at least on some points, perhaps you could think big too.

continue to think small-time and Wichita will pass OKC behind just like Dallas did years ago, and the OKC Thunder will return as the Seattle Supersonics! ....

I'm all for realism, Wichita subsidizes most of its routes (which are basic to hub cities). OKC could look at subsidizing International, as I'm sure the missing hub routes will return IF the airlines continue with their current hub network. And I didn't say Air Canada. There's MANY other airlines that could do OKC-YYZ and/or OKC-YVR, esp if OKC upped it's game (at least to start).

It appears that OKC leadership is starting to agree with me at least on some points, perhaps you could think big too.

Well let's hear it then. Many other airlines could profitably fly OKC-YVR or OKC-YYZ? Oh really? Which ones? WestJet? Flair? Lynx? Seriously? And so what that you didn't say Air Canada? Again, why don't you tell us which airline could logically fly OKC-YYZ/YVR profitably? You're saying that an airline other than Canada's largest airline would be a better choice for those routes if they ever came to fruition?

Just because I'm realistic in no way means I'm thinking small. I do my part to support air service here. I'd love for nothing more than for OKC air service to grow and thrive. But how about we be just a little bit realistic too.

One must also consider the legality and/or appearance of offering a direct subsidy to a foreign business with taxpayer money.

Well let's hear it then. Many other airlines could profitably fly OKC-YVR or OKC-YYZ? Oh really? Which ones? WestJet? Flair? Lynx? Seriously? And so what that you didn't say Air Canada? Again, why don't you tell us which airline could logically fly OKC-YYZ/YVR profitably? You're saying that an airline other than Canada's largest airline would be a better choice for those routes if they ever came to fruition?

Just because I'm realistic in no way means I'm thinking small. I do my part to support air service here. I'd love for nothing more than for OKC air service to grow and thrive. But how about we be just a little bit realistic too.

You should quit reading after

"wichita will pass OKC"

One must also consider the legality and/or appearance of offering a direct subsidy to a foreign business with taxpayer money.

Panasonic?

Panasonic?

Aviation is a little bit more complicated than that type of deal, which would likely be structured anyway to directly subsidize a US based division. The airplanes would be operated by a foreign entity, based in a foreign land, and profits go directly to a foreign entity. There is no USA division of Air Canada.

You should quit reading after

"wichita will pass OKC"

Haha right? Watch, now AC will swoop in and start ICT-YYZ/YVR just to troll us. Having said that, Whistler is truly one of our most favorite places, so we'd definitely consider driving up to ICT if they had nonstops to YVR!

Well let's hear it then. Many other airlines could profitably fly OKC-YVR or OKC-YYZ? Oh really? Which ones? WestJet? Flair? Lynx? Seriously? And so what that you didn't say Air Canada? Again, why don't you tell us which airline could logically fly OKC-YYZ/YVR profitably? You're saying that an airline other than Canada's largest airline would be a better choice for those routes if they ever came to fruition?

Just because I'm realistic in no way means I'm thinking small. I do my part to support air service here. I'd love for nothing more than for OKC air service to grow and thrive. But how about we be just a little bit realistic too.

If I had the pro-formas then I would probably be working for an airline rather than a major IT company. And I was being facetious about ICT passing OKC - however, it is the only major airport in its state - so the thought of an OMA situation isn't that far removed. BTW - OMA does have better service than OKC; so that was my point.

And BTW, this is a chat forum so if you don't like what I say then you can ignore or comment without trying to insult or push me to insult you. I made a nice point about OKC stepping up its game and after refilling the major US cities it should consider MEX and CA as International options even if it meant a temporary subsidy. Not sure what's wrong with that or why you make a hissy fit on me providing anything more than MY OPINION to an OKC Forum.

International travel options provide cache to cities, OKC lacks in that department. But imagine if the state or city could bring up their flight options to a Panasonic next time, perhaps we would land that facility since all businesses (including my company) need air service (which BTW there are daily non-stops SEA-OKC - which prior to the mid-2010s was a far flung idea too if I remember correctly).

Kansas City has a major airport, and while not technically in the state it is for all intents and purposes a factor for the eastern half of Kansas. Kansas also has, for now, service across the state with Dodge City, Liberal, Hays, Manhattan, and Salina all having commercial air service. This erodes away at Wichita’s catchment area.

Flight options have nothing to do with hopes and dreams. Butts in seats and dollars in the spreadsheet are the only thing that matter to an airline. Fill their planes and print them money, the service will follow. Subsidies can get a route going but they should not be relied upon, and if the service isn’t meeting financial expectations they will drop it the moment the subsidy ends.

Are there any routes of of OKC that are being subsidized?

No. OKC does not offer any cash subsidies, but rather does offer incentives in the form of reduced landing fees, marketing assistance (a direct check to Ackerman McQueen), and/or reduced rent for routes that qualify.

Come on - you really expect that OKC could get up to 1m+ pax/year in connections? Huh? OKC is a spoke, not a hub. Our priority should be getting (re)-connected to all of the major domestic hubs. For example DL has dropped DTW, AA has dropped PHL and apparently is going to drop MIA? Yikes that's bad.

And let's be serious here, no airline (especially not Air Canada) is going to start weekly service to OKC from any of their Canadian hubs. What business sense would a weekly service make? Zero. Plus, OKC's population probably just isn't diverse enough; it's not like AC thinks they're going to be connecting passengers on OKC-YYZ-India routes or anything like that. Anyone flying internationally out of OKC is more than adequately served by connections through DFW, ORD, LAX, etc.

Yeah I think if we got anything international, it would much more likely be seasonally to Mexico or some other popular vacation/resort destination. There was a time when Calgary potentially had enough traffic to OKC for oil and gas type traffic but that time has passed in all likelihood (if it ever existed in the first place).

Agreed.

It will be interesting if the proposed Transborder Joint Venture proposed in the past week by Air Canada and United will spur any growth to new markets, if approved. Basically reduced capacity in markets where there is overlap freeing up airplane time for Air Canada to attempt some other routes in the US. Any new routes would not be part of the joint venture.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/jetblue-to-buy-spirit-airlines-in-a-previously-unlikely-marriage/

Would have been way better for OKC if it was Frontier and Spirit.

No. OKC does not offer any cash subsidies, but rather does offer incentives in the form of reduced landing fees, marketing assistance (a direct check to Ackerman McQueen), and/or reduced rent for routes that qualify.

I do wish we'd do subsidies to ensure we always have good LA/NY/SF/CHI/DC connections no matter what the airlines were doing.

If I had the pro-formas then I would probably be working for an airline rather than a major IT company. And I was being facetious about ICT passing OKC - however, it is the only major airport in its state - so the thought of an OMA situation isn't that far removed. BTW - OMA does have better service than OKC; so that was my point.

And BTW, this is a chat forum so if you don't like what I say then you can ignore or comment without trying to insult or push me to insult you. I made a nice point about OKC stepping up its game and after refilling the major US cities it should consider MEX and CA as International options even if it meant a temporary subsidy. Not sure what's wrong with that or why you make a hissy fit on me providing anything more than MY OPINION to an OKC Forum.

International travel options provide cache to cities, OKC lacks in that department. But imagine if the state or city could bring up their flight options to a Panasonic next time, perhaps we would land that facility since all businesses (including my company) need air service (which BTW there are daily non-stops SEA-OKC - which prior to the mid-2010s was a far flung idea too if I remember correctly).

Oh come on. I never insulted you, nor did I push you to insult me. Disagreeing with someone is not the same as insulting them.

And you have it backwards IMO - international flights are largely driven by demand for them. Airlines don't start international flights hoping to stimulate demand, they start them because the demand is there. Emirates isn't about to set up shop in OKC hoping that people here will all of a sudden want to fly to the Middle East or Asia in large numbers (extreme example but my point stands).

Would have been way better for OKC if it was Frontier and Spirit.

Right? What a bizarre move by B6. I get that they want/need to expand and need planes and crews, but this merger just makes them stronger in ... New York and Florida? Whatevs.

Yeah I think if we got anything international, it would much more likely be seasonally to Mexico or some other popular vacation/resort destination. There was a time when Calgary potentially had enough traffic to OKC for oil and gas type traffic but that time has passed in all likelihood (if it ever existed in the first place).

It seems like Frontier could fill an OKC-Cancun nonstop once a week. Am I dreaming or did an airline use to fly that route but had to stop in Dallas on the way back due to OKC not having an FIS (immigration facility)? There is one now, not sure if it's fully built-out yet though.

yep, and I believe it was Sun Country Airlines.

No reason why it couldn't be done again, this time without the stop in TX on the way down and once a week sounds about right to start.

Also, I didn't say we should subsidize forever, I specifically said to start as an incentive. International travel potential is there, right now it funnels through DFW. It'll be up to OKC to figure out what they can and can't do and we're not talking about daily non-stops, but 'something' where the numbers might work is a valid portfolio point we can trump and tell businesses when discussing OKC's flight options on potential recruitment/relocation visits.

Champion Air ran their 727’s OKC-PVR/CUN. And CUN/PVR-DFW-OKC back in the early 2000’s.

PLANET AIR also was around too, in the early 2000’s. Those airlines didn’t directly sell the flights, they were public charters put together by a consortium of travel agencies. That’s why some years it was Planet, and some years it was Champion.

When oil did its thing in 2007 both those airlines filed for bankruptcy. I don’t think anyone ever tried to get those charters back.

Apple Vacations (not affiliated with the tech company) does handle a ton of Mexico vacation packages from various Midwest mid-small cities. They were chartering with ATA,, Midwest, as well as USA3000. Of course all 3 of those airlines are gone. Apple then started using Frontier, but frontier has moved out of the charter business as far as I know. I am not sure who Apple is using now, probably Sun Country. I think Allegiant was trying to buy out Apple Vacations at some point and just roll them into their pre-packaged vacations. Not sure whatever happened to it as I don’t follow the charter side of things very closely.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Planet_Airways_Boeing_727.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Champion_Air_727-2S7_LAS_N682CA.jpg/220px-Champion_Air_727-2S7_LAS_N682CA.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/USA_3000_Airlines_Airbus_A320_Iwelumo.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/ATA_Airlines_Boeing_737-800_KvW.jpg

Champion Air ran their 727’s OKC-PVR/CUN. And CUN/PVR-DFW-OKC back in the early 2000’s.

PLANET AIR also was around too, in the early 2000’s. Those airlines didn’t directly sell the flights, they were public charters put together by a consortium of travel agencies. That’s why some years it was Planet, and some years it was Champion.

When oil did its thing in 2007 both those airlines filed for bankruptcy. I don’t think anyone ever tried to get those charters back.

Apple Vacations (not affiliated with the tech company) does handle a ton of Mexico vacation packages from various Midwest mid-small cities. They were chartering with ATA,, Midwest, as well as USA3000. Of course all 3 of those airlines are gone. Apple then started using Frontier, but frontier has moved out of the charter business as far as I know. I am not sure who Apple is using now, probably Sun Country. I think Allegiant was trying to buy out Apple Vacations at some point and just roll them into their pre-packaged vacations. Not sure whatever happened to it as I don’t follow the charter side of things very closely.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Planet_Airways_Boeing_727.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Champion_Air_727-2S7_LAS_N682CA.jpg/220px-Champion_Air_727-2S7_LAS_N682CA.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/USA_3000_Airlines_Airbus_A320_Iwelumo.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/ATA_Airlines_Boeing_737-800_KvW.jpg

Apple Leisure Group (ALG) is using a combination of Sun Country, Frontier, and Spirit. Hyatt bought the ALG last year so a purchase by Allegiant won't happen.

Apple Leisure Group (ALG) is using a combination of Sun Country, Frontier, and Spirit. Hyatt bought the ALG last year so a purchase by Allegiant won't happen.
Good to know thanks.

I wonder what would be the real number of passengers of some airports without their connecting passengers.
Obviously, OKC has no connecting passengers ( or marginal) so its people going through the terminal doors.

In august we will lose the AA service to Miami, the Breeze one to Tampa. Not good news.

For international development, Cancun and Mexico City will be a top priority. Maybe Toronto can happen.

I'm not finding it right now. But BTS does have a product that shows O&D verse all enplanements. All the major hub airports still dwarf OKC in O&D traffic. Even lowly SLC and CVT beat OKC in O&D traffic by quite a bit.

The family and I took an opportunity to drop my mother off at the airport Friday afternoon to look at the new area. We really enjoyed the new space and my son really loved the "observation deck". However, for me now I wish it wrapped around the whole terminal building, A lot of the ground ops and the majority of 17R/35L is out of view. But it is nice to have an area to wait around in that is not behind the security line.

when will they get around to updating the website? The new terminal and concourse have been complete and open for (what?) over a year now yet the website does not reflect this and is ridiculously out-dated.

come on OKC.

when will they get around to updating the website? The new terminal and concourse have been complete and open for (what?) over a year now yet the website does not reflect this and is ridiculously out-dated.

come on OKC.

I had gotten the impression that at least in the past they did not have permanent developers for their site, so anything more than basic edits or file uploads that can be done with whatever content management the site is designed around waits till they decide it need an overhaul, then contract that out.

imo, they need to up their game on the website. They say the airport is the face of the city, OKC has changed so much that they need to update the website more frequently.

Should already have new terminal maps with the new gates and amenities; this shouldn't be a back burner but (IMO) should have been part of the overall expansion plan. Just think if the city never updated their website or had similar "contracting" process? Well turns out, the city does since the airport is run by the city. ... Unacceptable.

imo, they need to up their game on the website. They say the airport is the face of the city, OKC has changed so much that they need to update the website more frequently.

Should already have new terminal maps with the new gates and amenities; this shouldn't be a back burner but (IMO) should have been part of the overall expansion plan. Just think if the city never updated their website or had similar "contracting" process? Well turns out, the city does since the airport is run by the city. ... Unacceptable.

I completely agree. I would take it even further and say that the WRWA is one of the worst managed public facilities in the state. No offense to the hardworking employees of the Dept. of Airports, but the Airport Trust needs to take their positions a little more seriously and start making things happen and asking questions. Great point on the website. Forget the interactive maps circa 2013, can we just get static graphics of the current layout made? I sure hope the new manager has a laundry list of items to address and he is working his way down...perhaps some of the non-airside fixes just haven't risen to the top yet.

Article from VeloCity about the new shops and restaurants:


If you have flown out of Will Rogers World Airport lately, you may have noticed several new retail shops and restaurants popping up along the terminal concourses, especially in the airport’s east concourse that opened last fall. The airport has been working with award-winning concessionaire Paradies Lagardère to introduce the new eateries and shops to their air travelers.

According to Scott Keith, assistant director for the City of Oklahoma City’s Department of Airports, airline passengers, airport employees and others have responded favorably to the new additions to the concessionary lineup.

“Our concession and retail program set out to try and assemble both high-quality local brands and high-quality national brands to serve our passengers and citizens as they travel through Will Rogers World Airport. This provides our citizens and passengers the ability to identify, connect and support both local business brands in our community and national brands while they are here at Will Rogers World Airport,” Keith said.

The airport’s retail and concession program will be built out in several phases through mid-2024, proportionate to returning passenger levels, Keith said. Following a marked slowdown in the number of air travelers because of COVID, air traffic has rebounded across the nation and passenger levels are expected to continue its upward trend in the foreseeable future. Will Rogers World Airport is no exception. Passenger traffic levels are up by more than 24% from what the airport experienced in 2021; however, it is down by about 11% from the record levels it saw in 2019.

National brands Starbucks and Vino Volo opened to passengers on the east concourse last October and November, just in time for the holiday travel season. Trip Advisor and Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers opened in September and December 2021, respectively, followed by Tropical Smoothie Café last March. Local retailer Tin Lizzie’s, which offers an array of products from Oklahoma-owned boutiques, artisans and makers, opened to airport customers Sept. 2, 2022, the Friday before the Labor Day weekend. An official grand opening for the retailer is expected to occur sometime this month.

Later this fall, passengers should begin to see other retailers and restaurants coming on line, but in the central terminal area and in the west concourse, according to Keith. Osteria, Hatch and Elemental Coffee, along with The Apartment, Oklahoma’s Own News 9, iStore Express and local gift shop Plenty Mercantile will be opening throughout the fall and into mid-2024.

“The new concession program, once it is complete, should meet the future demands of the projected growth for Will Rogers World Airport,” Keith said.

- https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/air-travelers-already-beginning-to-enjoy-new-lineup-of-restaurants-shops-at-will-rogers-world-airport/?back=super_blog

I can say I have really enjoyed Vino Volo

I can say I have really enjoyed Vino Volo

We almost are always there as it is across fromvDelta gated

I will say that in talked to most of the staff, they wish delta wasn't there as most of the day it's pretty slow traffic on that end

Now for some good news...footings have been installed for the new roadway directional signage. The new signs, both overhead and roadside, will match the style of the newly installed terminal interior signage, as well as the signage placed near the Car Rental Center on Meridian. This project was proposed many years ago, but was postponed due to COVID. This will be a nice new addition to the grounds.

I will say that in talked to most of the staff, they wish delta wasn't there as most of the day it's pretty slow traffic on that end

As a Delta regular, instead of them not being there, I would rather they expand more into Oklahoma City and get busier. But that’s neither here nor there since the main point is that Delta largely does little to benefit the new area. I’ve been holding out hope that they might bring more routes/services online since they announced OKC-LGA and only time will tell but they don’t inspire much confidence in me in regards to their intentions for this market.

As a Delta regular, instead of them not being there, I would rather they expand more into Oklahoma City and get busier. But that’s neither here nor there since the main point is that Delta largely does little to benefit the new area. I’ve been holding out hope that they might bring more routes/services online since they announced OKC-LGA and only time will tell but they don’t inspire much confidence in me in regards to their intentions for this market.

Ditto. One can only hope that currently they're just holding due to the staffing and aircraft shortages overall... I'd love a LAX connection for Hawaii work trips.

If Delta could someday manage to restart nonstop flights to the 14th largest metro in the country, and supposedly one of their major hubs, it would be much appreciated.