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Will Rogers World Airport, now known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the city's downtown area. The airport is named after Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native, comedian, and legendary cowboy who died in an airplane crash in 1935. The airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019. Southwest Airlines is the most dominant carrier at the airport, with a market share of nearly 48% as of April 2022. The airport has a rich history, serving as a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
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What You'll Learn
- Will Rogers Airport is 6 miles from Oklahoma City's downtown area
- Southwest Airlines carries the most passengers at the airport
- The airport was renamed in 1941 to honour Will Rogers
- The airport once partnered with Tinker AFB to present an airshow
- The airport is named for the legendary cowboy, Will Rogers
Will Rogers Airport is 6 miles from Oklahoma City's downtown area
Will Rogers Airport, officially known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located about 6 miles from downtown Oklahoma City. The airport is named after the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an airplane crash in 1935. The airport handles an average of 150 commercial flights each day, carrying over 3.6 million passengers annually. In 2019, the airport had its busiest year on record, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers.
Will Rogers Airport offers a variety of amenities and services for passengers, including eateries, curated shops, and rental car facilities. The airport also features world-class artwork on display throughout its three concourses. Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier at the airport, with a market share of nearly 48% as of April 2022.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1911 when it first opened as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It was renamed in 1941 to honor Will Rogers, and during World War II, it served as a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces. The airport covers 8,081 acres of land and is a civil-military airport.
Will Rogers Airport has undergone several name changes over the years, including being known as Will Rogers World Airport before officially becoming OKC Will Rogers International Airport in 2024. The airport is an important economic development hub for the city, and there are aspirations for it to become a major international destination.
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Southwest Airlines carries the most passengers at the airport
Will Rogers World Airport, also known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about 6 miles from the city's downtown area. The airport is named after the legendary Oklahoma-born cowboy and comedian, Will Rogers, who died in an airplane crash in 1935.
OKC Will Rogers International Airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. In 2019, the airport handled approximately 4.42 million passengers, marking a record-breaking three consecutive years. The airport has continued to thrive, with a record 980,188 passengers in the first few months of 2023, surpassing its previous record for the same period in 2019.
Southwest Airlines is the leading carrier at Will Rogers Airport, with a market share of nearly 48% as of April 2022. The airline has a strong presence at the airport, and its popularity among passengers is evident. Southwest Airlines has experienced some notable incidents at the airport, including a 2016 shooting that resulted in the death of one of its employees, and a 2024 incident where one of its flights recovered from an altitude warning to land safely.
The airport itself has a rich history, dating back to 1911 when it was known as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It was renamed in honour of Will Rogers in 1941 and served as a significant training facility for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The airport has a unique design, with a three-level terminal featuring 17 departure gates across the West, Central, and East Concourses. It offers a range of amenities, including eateries, shops, and rental car services, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers.
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The airport was renamed in 1941 to honour Will Rogers
The airport was originally known as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield when it first opened in 1911. It was renamed in 1941 to honour Will Rogers, a comedian and legendary cowboy who was an Oklahoma native. Rogers died in an airplane crash in 1935 near Utqiagvik, Alaska. The airport's new name commemorated his legacy and his enthusiasm for Oklahoma's aviation industry.
During World War II, the newly named Will Rogers Field 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 the facility. Several Army Air Forces groups were stationed at Will Rogers Field, including the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 46th Bombardment Group (Light).
In recent years, there have been discussions and efforts to rebrand the airport while retaining the name "Will Rogers". The goal of the rebranding is to modernise the airport and highlight its international recognition. The official name was changed from “Will Rogers World Airport” to “OKC Will Rogers International Airport” in 2024, with a new logo and brand elements introduced.
The new branding focuses on Rogers' contributions to aviation and the use of “OKC”, which has become a brand with international recognition. The colour palette of the new brand also aligns with the colours used in the east terminal expansion area, including the stone, wood, and tile decor of the rebuilt terminal. The scissortail flycatcher, Oklahoma's state bird, is also featured in the new branding.
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The airport once partnered with Tinker AFB to present an airshow
OKC Will Rogers International Airport, also known as Will Rogers Airport, is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the city's downtown area. The airport is named after comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an airplane crash in 1935. It is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019, its busiest year on record.
The airport once partnered with Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) to present the Aerospace America airshow. Tinker AFB is located near Will Rogers Airport and is home to various aircraft, including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. The airshow featured aerial acts, ground displays, and educational attractions such as S.T.E.A.M. City. The USAF Thunderbirds, a seasoned Thunderbird pilot team, performed breathtaking aerial maneuvers in their F-16s, showcasing American airpower. Other displays included a C-17 aircraft, a KC-135 refuelling plane, and an E-3 Sentry AWACS, with appearances from a WWII-era Zero fighter plane and an Osprey with dual engines. The Tinker Air Show is open to the public with free admission, offering a testament to power, precision, and legacy through aviation displays and performances.
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The airport is named for the legendary cowboy, Will Rogers
The OKC Will Rogers International Airport, also known as Will Rogers Airport or simply Will Rogers, is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The airport is named after the legendary cowboy and comedian, Will Rogers, who was an Oklahoma native.
Will Rogers, born in 1879, was a famous cowboy philosopher. He was born on a ranch in Oklahoma and became a cowboy in the Texas Panhandle. He later travelled to Argentina and South Africa, performing in circuses. Rogers made his first stage appearance in New York City in 1905 and began his motion picture career in 1918. He was also an author, with several books published posthumously.
Rogers was an advocate for the aviation industry, having befriended Charles Lindbergh, a famous American aviator. Tragically, Rogers died in a plane crash near Utqiagvik, Alaska, in 1935. He was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.
The airport was originally opened in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It 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. Today, it is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, handling over 4.42 million passengers in 2019.
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