Roberta Aguirre
Will Rogers World Airport, officially known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about 6 miles from the city centre. The airport is named after the Oklahoma-born comedian and cowboy Will Rogers, who died in an aeroplane crash in 1935. In recent years, the airport has undergone significant expansion and renovation projects, including the construction of a new terminal building, which was completed and dedicated in 1966. The terminal building features expansive windows, skylights, high ceilings, and modern amenities, providing a more open and natural feel for travellers. The expansion projects aim to accommodate the airport's growth, improve the travel experience, and meet the evolving security requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | OKC Will Rogers International Airport |
| Former Name | Will Rogers World Airport |
| Location | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Distance from City Centre | 6 miles (10 km) |
| Area | 8,081 acres (12.63 sq mi) |
| Type | Civil-military airport |
| Number of Gates | 18 (eventually 25 or 26) |
| Parking | 6 options, including 2-story Garage A and 5-level Garage B |
| Rental Car Facility | Consolidated Rental Car Facility |
| Art | "OKConnected" mosaic by local artist Matt Goad |
| Design | Expansive windows, skylights, high/wood ceilings, native stone, plate glass, metal, brushed metal |
| Concourse | East Concourse with 4 Delta gates, West Concourse |
| Amenities | Eateries, shops, lounges, seating areas, Wi-Fi |
| Security | TSA and TSA Pre Checkpoints |
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What You'll Learn
Design and construction
The Will Rogers World Airport terminal building has undergone several design and construction changes since its opening in 1966. The airport is located in southwestern Oklahoma, about 8km from Oklahoma City, and is named after the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an airplane crash in 1935.
In 1997, the Oklahoma City Airport Trust consulted Landrum and Brown, an airport design consultancy, to assess the future needs of the airport. The tenants desired larger and better facilities, modern baggage handling systems, and improved retail shop locations. As a result, a new terminal building was planned, and the consultant's study identified ten different options for renovation and expansion. The chosen option involved a combination of expanding and renovating the existing structure, constructing new concourses, and demolishing the old ones.
The airport's first renovation and expansion phase began in 2001. Phase I included the construction of walkways from the parking garage to the terminal, the demolition of the existing elevator core, the construction of new elevator and escalator cores, the building of temporary entrance and exit ramps, the reconstruction of roofs, and the construction of a new transportation plaza. Phase II, completed in November 2006, included the construction of a new concourse to the west, which was designed to match the interior and exterior of the central terminal area. The old concourses from the 1960s were then demolished.
The Phase III project, which was updated in 2012, involves the construction of a new concourse to the east, providing nine new gates equipped with airbridges, bringing the total number of gates to 26. The expansion is funded by the Oklahoma City Airport Trust through various sources, including bond sales and grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The most recent expansion project, completed in 2021, added four new gates on the new East Concourse, three of which are leased to Delta Air Lines. The new concourse features a modern design, an observation deck for plane spotting, and expansive windows and skylights that fill the space with natural light. The terminal building utilizes native stone, high ceilings, plate glass, and brushed metal, creating a more open and modern feel compared to the previous design.
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Passenger facilities
Will Rogers World Airport offers extensive passenger facilities. The terminal building is divided into three levels, with Baggage Reclaim on the ground floor, Ticketing and Departures on the second level, and other facilities and Airport Administration on the top level. The West (main) and Central concourses handle all departures, with Arrivals and Baggage Reclaim on the ground floor and Ticketing and Departures on the second level. The terminal features a variety of seating options, expanded greeting areas, and additional seating in the baggage claim area. The airport also offers a range of dining and shopping options, with three concourses packed with eateries and curated shops.
The airport provides easy access to rental car services, with a Consolidated Rental Car Facility located near the terminal and shuttle buses connecting passengers from the arrivals plaza. There are nine rental car companies currently offering services at the airport.
Will Rogers World Airport also boasts a landscaped garden near the new terminal, providing passengers with a relaxing space to enjoy native grasses and trees. The airport is committed to integrating public art installations and has a world-class artwork display throughout the hub. The terminal expansion project aims to bring in more natural light with expansive windows and skylights, enhancing the overall travel experience.
The airport has undergone renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and meet modern travel needs. The East Concourse expansion added four new gates, with plans to expand to six in the future, and includes a customs area to accept international flights. The expansion also incorporates a single TSA screening zone and additional concessions. The airport's first nonstop international destination to Cancún, Mexico, was announced for November 2025, with a new customs facility opening earlier in the year.
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Artwork and observation deck
The Will Rogers World Airport features a public observation deck suspended above the concourse, offering unique views of the terminal and airfield. The observation deck provides lounge space, allowing visitors to relax while waiting for their arrival or seeing someone off at the airport. From the deck, one can also observe planes taxiing by the gates and waving at people airside.
Below the observation deck, local artist Matt Goad designed "OKConnected," a mosaic in the terrazzo floor that guides travellers through the space. The mosaic highlights Oklahoma City's history, culture, and people, adding a unique artistic touch to the airport.
The airport's expansion, led by HOK and local architect FSB, aimed to elevate the airport and Oklahoma City, improving the overall travel experience. The expansion included the addition of a new east concourse, four new gates, and a customs area for international flights.
The observation deck and artwork by Matt Goad are part of the airport's efforts to enhance the passenger experience, providing a unique and memorable visit to those passing through Oklahoma City. The deck offers a space to relax and enjoy the airport's atmosphere, while the mosaic artwork celebrates the local culture and community.
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Transportation and parking
OKC Will Rogers International Airport has a range of transportation and parking options for travellers. The airport features a five-story parking garage with multiple parking options. Garage A is a two-story structure that provides hourly parking for short-term visitors on the upper level and "ready-return" spaces for rental car agencies on the lower level. Garage B is a five-level parking structure that offers covered parking for travellers. In addition to these garages, the airport also offers several other parking options to accommodate the needs of its visitors.
The airport provides easy access for vehicles with the construction of new entrance and exit ramps, as well as a transportation plaza and driving lanes. Shuttle buses are available to transport passengers from the arrivals plaza outside the terminal to the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, which houses rental companies such as Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
The airport has also undergone various expansion and renovation projects to improve the overall travel experience. Phase I of the renovation involved significant changes to the parking and transportation infrastructure, including the construction of walkways from the parking garage to the terminal building and the rebuilding of entrance and exit ramps. Phase II included the construction of a new concourse to the west of the central terminal, which was completed in 2005. The airport officials continue to plan and work towards enhancing the airport's facilities and accessibility.
In addition to parking and rental car services, OKC Will Rogers International Airport serves as a hub for various airlines. Great Plains Airlines, a regional airline based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, utilised the airport as a hub in 2001, offering nonstop and direct flights to multiple destinations. The airport has also announced plans to expand routes to Mexico and the Caribbean, with American Airlines providing nonstop service to Cancún, Mexico, as the airport's first nonstop international destination.
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History
The Will Rogers World Airport, now known as the OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located in southwestern Oklahoma, about 6-8 miles from Oklahoma City. It is a civil-military airport and the primary international and domestic airport in Oklahoma, with 482 domestic and 19 international flights weekly. The airport is named after the comedian and legendary Oklahoma-born cowboy Will Rogers, who died in an airplane crash in 1935.
The original terminal building was constructed in 1966 or 1967. In 1997, the Oklahoma City Airport Trust consulted Landrum and Brown, an airport design consultancy, to determine the airport's future needs for the next 25 years. The tenants wanted larger and better facilities, a more modern baggage handling system, and better retail shop locations. In 1998, a new terminal building was planned, and the consultant's study identified ten options to achieve this. The most suitable option was a combination of expanding and renovating the existing structure, constructing new concourses, and demolishing the old ones.
In 2001, preparations for renovating the airport were launched, and the old twin concourses were demolished to make way for a larger terminal with integrated concourses, high ceilings, and modern features. Phase I involved the construction of walkways from the parking garage to the terminal building, the building of new elevator and escalator cores, and the construction of temporary and permanent entrance and exit ramps for vehicles. Phase II, completed in November 2006, included a new concourse constructed west of the central terminal area, which was renovated to match the new concourse's interior and exterior designs. The old 1960s-built concourses were then demolished.
The airport continued to expand and improve over the following years. In 2016, a new Consolidated Rental Car Facility was opened, moving all rental services to a facility near the terminal. In 2021, a new East Concourse was completed, featuring four gates exclusively for Delta flights and an observation deck for plane spotting. The airport also features artwork, including a mosaic by local artist Matt Goad, that highlights Oklahoma City's history, culture, and people. The airport also features passport and immigration control areas, with customs and immigration facilities for international passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport is called Will Rogers World Airport, but it has recently been renamed OKC Will Rogers International Airport. It is located in south-western Oklahoma, about 8km from Oklahoma City.
The terminal building uses native stone, high ceilings, plate glass, brushed metal, and expansive windows and skylights that draw in natural light. It also has a public observation deck with lounge space and unique views of the airfield.
The airport has a five-story parking garage with temporary and permanent entrance and exit ramps for vehicles. It also offers a Consolidated Rental Car Facility with various rental car companies, and shuttle buses connect passengers from the arrivals plaza to the terminal.
The airport has multiple TSA and TSA Pre Checkpoints located throughout the terminal to ensure the safety and security of passengers and their belongings. The passport and immigration control area is located on the lower level of the terminal, near baggage claim.
Yes, the airport has undergone multiple phases of expansion and renovation to accommodate the needs of modern travellers and attract new airlines. The most recent expansion project includes the construction of a new concourse to the east, providing nine new gates equipped with airbridges, giving the terminal a total of 26 gates.
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