Lois Larson
The Will Rogers World Airport, now known as the OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about 6 miles from the city's downtown area. The airport, named after the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, is the busiest commercial airport in the state of Oklahoma. With three concourses full of eateries and shops, and a host of amenities and services, there is plenty to explore at the airport. The airport first opened in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield and was renamed in 1941 in Rogers' honour. In 2024, the airport's name was changed to OKC Will Rogers International Airport to market the airport to a wider audience.
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What You'll Learn
Airport history and naming
Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport, also known as Will Rogers Airport or simply Will Rogers, is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about 6 miles (or 10 km) southwest of the city's downtown area. The airport is named after Will Rogers, a comedian and legendary cowboy who was an Oklahoma native. Sadly, Rogers died in an airplane crash near Utqiagvik, Alaska, in 1935. The Wiley Post Airport in the city, and the Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport in Utqiagvik, are named after Wiley Post, who also died in the same crash.
The airport first opened in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It was renamed in Rogers' honour in 1941. During World War II, it served as a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces. Many fighter and bomber units were activated and received initial training at Will Rogers Field. Groups known to have been stationed there include the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), who were there from July 1942 until August 28, 1942, and the 46th Bombardment Group (Light), who were there from November 1942 until October 1943.
In 1957, the April OAG (Official Airline Guide) showed that Braniff International Airways had the most daily nonstop departures from the airport, with 21. American Airlines had 15, Central Airlines had five, Continental Airlines had four, and TWA had three. A TWA Constellation aircraft flew nonstop from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles, but eastward nonstops didn't go beyond Wichita, Kansas, Tulsa, or Dallas, Texas. In 1966, nonstop flights to Chicago began.
Great Plains Airlines, a regional airline based in Tulsa, made Will Rogers World Airport a hub in 2001, offering nonstop flights to Tulsa, Albuquerque, and Colorado Springs, and direct or connecting flights to Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, and Washington. Unfortunately, the airline ceased operations in 2004. On May 31, 2013, an EF-1 tornado hit the airport.
In 2019, the airport handled nearly 4.42 million passengers, making it the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma for the third year in a row. Southwest Airlines carries the most passengers, with a market share of nearly 48% as of April 2022. On August 27, 2024, the Oklahoma City Council approved a name change from "Will Rogers World Airport" to "OKC Will Rogers International Airport", to market the airport to a wider audience. The airport plans to expand its routes to Mexico and the Caribbean.
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Airlines and destinations
OKC Will Rogers International Airport, also known as Will Rogers Airport or Will Rogers World Airport, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the city centre. It is the busiest commercial airport in the state, serving nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019, the busiest year on record at the time.
The airport's busiest airline as of April 2022 is Southwest Airlines, with a market share of nearly 48%. In April 1957, Braniff International Airways operated the most flights from the airport, with 21 daily nonstop departures, followed by American Airlines with 15, Central Airlines with 5, Continental Airlines with 4, and TWA with 3.
In 2001, Great Plains Airlines, a now-defunct regional airline, made Will Rogers World Airport a hub, offering nonstop flights to Tulsa, Albuquerque, and Colorado Springs, as well as direct or connecting flights to Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, and Washington. More recently, in March 2025, American Airlines announced nonstop service to Cancún, Mexico, beginning on November 8, 2025—the airport's first nonstop international destination.
The airport also has a significant presence of government aviation facilities. The U.S. Department of Justice operates the Federal Transfer Centre and its principal air hub for the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) on the west side of the airport. Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintain their CBP Air and Marine Operations National Air Training Centre at the airport, with a hangar located adjacent to the JPATS hangar.
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Airport facilities and amenities
OKC Will Rogers International Airport is located about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of Oklahoma City's downtown area. It is the busiest commercial airport in the state of Oklahoma, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019, its busiest year on record.
OKC Airport has three concourses packed with eateries and curated shops, as well as a host of amenities and services. The airport boasts world-class artwork displayed throughout its premises. The airport also offers various dining options, from local eateries to more upscale restaurants.
For passengers seeking a quick bite, fast-food chains like Taco Bell are available, although travellers may prefer to explore local food options that offer a taste of Oklahoma's culinary traditions. The airport's website encourages visitors to navigate their way from "curb to cabin" using its interactive airport map, which also highlights the location of the airport's art installations.
In addition to the usual airport facilities, OKC Will Rogers International Airport is also home to major U.S. Department of Justice facilities, including the Federal Transfer Centre and its principal air hub, as well as the CBP Air and Marine Operations National Air Training Centre, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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Dining options
OKC Will Rogers International Airport offers a variety of dining options for travellers, from quick bites to full-service restaurants. The airport has three concourses packed with eateries, and travellers can choose from local dining spots to more upscale options.
While fast-food chains like Taco Bell offer convenience, they may not be the best option for travellers seeking a nutritious meal. Taco Bell serves food that is highly processed and spicy, which may cause digestive issues. Instead, travellers can opt for local eateries that offer a taste of Oklahoma's culinary traditions.
For those seeking a quieter and more relaxed dining experience, there are restaurants with uninterrupted views of Scissortail Park and the downtown skyline. The Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, located near the airport, is a great option for those looking to spend a romantic getaway, business trip, or family vacation.
Additionally, travellers can find a range of dining options within a short distance from the airport. Bricktown, located in the business district, is just a five-minute drive from the airport and offers a variety of restaurants and businesses. The Outlet Mall, OG & E Coliseum, and Hurricane Harbor water park are also nearby, providing additional dining and entertainment options.
Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a full dining experience, OKC Will Rogers International Airport and its surrounding areas have plenty of options to choose from.
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Arrival and departure information
Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City offers a range of services for arrivals and departures. The airport is located about 6 miles from the city's downtown area and is accessible via various transportation options, including parking and transit services.
For arrivals, the airport provides essential information on its website, such as finding your way from the curb to the cabin using an interactive airport map. The airport also boasts world-class artwork displayed throughout, adding to the arrival experience.
When it comes to departures, Will Rogers World Airport offers a flight tracker on its website, allowing passengers to check the status of their departing flights conveniently. The airport also provides information on check-in and reservation services.
Additionally, the airport has a variety of dining and shopping options across its three concourses. Passengers can explore local eateries and upscale dining choices, as well as curated shops. It is important to note that the main terminal does not accept cash or checks, so alternative payment methods should be considered.
Will Rogers World Airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, with Southwest Airlines being the carrier with the highest market share as of April 2022. The airport has a rich history, dating back to its opening in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield, and has played a significant role during World War II as a training facility for the United States Army Air Forces.
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Frequently asked questions
The official name of the airport is OKC Will Rogers International Airport (IATA: OKC, ICAO: KOKC). It is also known as Will Rogers Airport or Will Rogers World Airport.
The airport features world-class artwork throughout its three concourses, which are packed with eateries and curated shops.
The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield and was renamed in honour of Will Rogers in 1941. During World War II, it served as a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces.
OKC Will Rogers International Airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. In 2019, the airport handled nearly 4.42 million passengers, with Thursday being the day with the most departures.
