Airliners International 2024 - Updates & Announcements

[JJ Skippy]

Hello everyone! I figured now would be an appropriate time to get a thread going on here to post the latest news and updates pertaining to Airliners International 2024 in Kansas City, June 26-29, at the Hilton Kansas City Airport hotel. Updates were slow initially but as of last week, we have started to receive new information.

This latest update from March 7 details upcoming tours and events. Tours that have been scheduled include but are not limited to:
- Jet Midwest
- The TWA Museum at 10 Richards Road (MKC)
- Amelia Earhart Museum and Hangar and Museum (in Atichson, KS; about 40 mins away)
- Tristar Experience / N910TE
- NWS Aviation Weather Center

Booking for tours is expected to open at the end of March.

Friday Night at the Props will be happening this year as well at the TWA Museum. This happened the last time the convention was in Kansas City in 2007; it should be a fun event.

Lastly, they are looking to add some more options for tours or events; I’ve suggested a baseball game to them, and they told me that that was getting lots of interest. I’ll be eager to hear what the Thursday night Welcome Reception will be, if it will be a baseball game or something else.

That’s all the major highlights from the latest update! I’ll be back with another update when that comes around.

 

[Jazajia]

I know there is a smaller aircraft scrapping facility in MCI that I would love to visit. Is that JetMidwest? I was al set to go to this AI, but looks like we will be closing on a new home soon, and that might throw a wrench in my plans.

 

[JJ Skippy]

I know there is a smaller aircraft scrapping facility in MCI that I would love to visit. Is that JetMidwest? I was al set to go to this AI, but looks like we will be closing on a new home soon, and that might throw a wrench in my plans.

I think Jet Midwest is the only one there. They take up part of what was the old TWA maintenance facility; fortunately they restored the original hangar facade a few years back.

 

[boeing737sjcboy]

As a volunteer staff member for Airliners international, I have been told there will also be more seminars scheduled this year. I do hope all of you can attend the show. You will probably see me at the registration table.

 

[JJ Skippy]

Quick update regarding tours, booking will now open mid-April. I suspect they’re working out a few kinks and finer details yet.

 

[shervsr20]

Quick update regarding tours, booking will now open mid-April. I suspect they’re working out a few kinks and finer details yet.

Hi. Can you advise if the Tristar Experience is still operational and if there is any way to get a tour of that amazing airplane? I have tried to contact them with no luck. Thanks!

 

[JJ Skippy]

Hi. Can you advise if the Tristar Experience is still operational and if there is any way to get a tour of that amazing airplane? I have tried to contact them with no luck. Thanks!

Unfortunately I’m unable to confirm or deny. Their last Facebook post was in 2019 and their website doesn’t show any upcoming events. Hopefully Airliners International will advise of further updates in the next week or so.

 

[shervsr20]

Ok thanks very much!

 

[JJ Skippy]

Quick update again, there should be an announcement coming soon. Not sure what will be posted.

 

[JJ Skippy]

It’s time for an update! Tour information was announced today. Below are the list of tours that will be available:

The TWA Museum at 10 Richards Road $35
2x Wednesday 6/26
1x Thursday 6/27
2x Friday 6/28

The Amelia Earhart History Tour $85
One tour each Wednesday 6/26, Friday 6/28

Jet Midwest $20
3x Wednesday 6/26
2x Thursday 6/27
3x Friday 6/28

Tristar Experience $30
3x Wednesday 6/26
2x Thursday 6/27
3x Friday 6/28

NOAA NWS Aviation Weather Center $20
2x Wednesday 6/26
1x Thursday 6/27
1x Friday 6/28

Friday Night at the Props BBQ $80
Friday 6/28, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM CT

Check out the Airliners International website for times on each tour. Welcome Reception and seminars are still TBA. The 2025 location is likely to be announced in the next couple of weeks; keep an eye out for the announcement.

 

[JJ Skippy]

Tour booking went live today; it was originally scheduled for 5 PM EDT but I found out that booking was accessible as early as this morning. They’re working with a new system this year and they had tour booking opened earlier than expected (likely an accident). Some of the tour options have sold out but all are available to book at select times still.

Fortunately I got mine booked early so I was able to do the ones I wanted. Hopefully everyone else who’s going will be able to do the same.

 

[JJ Skippy]

Noel Philips has been confirmed as the banquet speaker.

 

[JJ Skippy]

The seminar schedule is finally here! Below is the full list:

THURSDAY

• 10:00 a.m. - Tom Livesey “The Jumbo’s Double Nickel: The 747 Turns 55”
• 1:30 p.m. - Steve Cosgrove “Airways Magazine: How to Photograph and Write for Publication”
• 3:00 p.m. - Todd Models “GeminiJets: From Conception to Flight” (I strongly recommend going to this one!!!)
• 4:30 p.m. - David Velupillai “Airbus Airliners”

FRIDAY

• 10:00 a.m. - Joe Crawford “Maximizing The Benefits of Frequent Flyer Programs to Travel the World
• 11:30 a.m. - Charles Kennedy “The Story of the Flying Tiger Line”
• 1:00 p.m. - Fred Finn “The World’s Most Travelled Man”
• 2:30 p.m. - Dave Hall “MotoArt PlaneTags: Authority of Aviation History”
• 4:00 p.m. - Jared Micou “Aircraft Dispatchers: Who Are They and What Do They Do?”

SATURDAY

• 10:00 a.m. - Jeff Cacy “PNA: The Other Alaska Airline”
• 11:30 a.m. - Charles Kennedy “Flying Solo to Sudan”
• 1:00 p.m. - Dan Goldzband “Behind the Scenes at Pacific Southwest Airlines”

Details on each speaker can be found on their website here.

 

[JJ Skippy]

Two announcements from Airliners International today:

- The Welcome Reception event has been confirmed; Jon Jamieson has been selected host of the event with his "Kansas City - A History of the Airlines and Airports in the Heartland" presentation. There’s also a special film presentation, which should be very interesting.

- Airliners International 2025 hint: “…you will see many "Widgets" next year at Airliners International 2025…!”
This is the best way to confirm something without actually confirming something IMO; Atlanta’s basically the only venue that fits this hint perfectly. Official announcement should be out in the coming days.

 

[squatchys_diecast_hangar]

Two announcements from Airliners International today:

- The Welcome Reception event has been confirmed; Jon Jamieson has been selected host of the event with his "Kansas City - A History of the Airlines and Airports in the Heartland" presentation. There’s also a special film presentation, which should be very interesting.

- Airliners International 2025 hint: “…you will see many "Widgets" next year at Airliners International 2025…!”
This is the best way to confirm something without actually confirming something IMO; Atlanta’s basically the only venue that fits this hint perfectly. Official announcement should be out in the coming days.

It’s was hinted at last year as being ATL, we knew a few months ago through the retailer grapevine

 

[JJ Skippy]

Well Airliners is officially over, and I have photos for the armchair crew! These are the ones I saved on my iPad.

 

[JJ Skippy]

More pics: