Before becoming a mom I loved my career as a flight attendant, and my husband was finally reaping the benefits of all of his time in flight school and was an airline pilot. So where would a former flight attendant and a current Boeing pilot take their kids when passing through Kansas City? …. of course, we would end up at the TWA Museum.
TWA Museum Kansas City, MO
We were able to find the museum and pull into their parking lot with our travel trailer in tow. It wasn’t even our first time driving up to an airport pulling our home on wheels, and I am sure it won’t be the last.
We were passing through, but we had made good time in our travels that morning; so we couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
We have really enjoyed another great aviation museum in Colorado.
TWA Museum in Kansas City, MO
TWA History
Trans World Airlines started in 1930. They were a major airline operating in the US Until 2001, when TWA merged with American Airlines. They were the first airline to carry passengers coast to coast. (NYC-LA). It was the first airline to require pilots to have a flight plan, a flight log, clearance, and a checklist. TWA was the first to fly the Lockheed Constellations. They were the first airline to have a weather department and have their own meteorologist. Taking passenger care to the next level, they were the first to provide freshly brewed coffee in flight. (Thank goodness for this!!) TWA was the first to provide a scheduled inflight movie. ( I wonder if this had anything to do with Howard Hughes being both TWA’s owner, as well as a movie producer?!)
TWA Constellation
TWA started as a mail carrier and became a major international passenger airline. The museum is a great place to visit for all those former employees, former passengers, and even those of us who never had the opportunity to fly with them.
Cockpit Trainers
TWA Museum Location and Hours
The museum is located at
10 Richards Rd. #110
Kansas City, MO 64116
It is inside the Signature Flight Services Building at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport
Their phone number is (816)234-1011.
The hours are 10 am-4 pm, with the last guided tour at 2:45 (don’t miss the guided tour).
Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and July 4th.
Flight attendant jump seat and door trainers at the TWA Museum
TWA Museum Displays
On the guided tour we went out to the hangar and saw the 1937 Lockheed Electra, and went inside it. Quite a different airplane from what we fly on today!
They have cockpit trainers for the Constellation/DC9/Boeing 707/MD-80/L1011. Again, quite a different-looking plane/cockpit from what we generally see flying today.
There was a Boeing 707/727 cabin trainer, the flight attendants would have used, and a door trainer for training on arming/disarming doors.
TWA Memorabilia at TWA Museum Kansas City, MO
There was so much memorabilia from days past. From flight attendant uniforms to the serving items they might have used.
Ambassador Club
There was an Ambassador Club set up that felt like you were stepping back in time.
Part of the TWA flight 800 wreckage
There was a very somber Flight 800 room with photos and video footage about the accident.
There was a cool shop with TWA gear. Some old, some newer.
What You Need To Know Before Visiting
When we were visiting (August 2022) there was some significant construction going on. Initially, we were thinking it was closed. So don’t let that turn you off. On their website it looks like they may still be under construction.
It is my understanding the place is run by volunteers (prior employees on the day we were there). It wouldn’t hurt to call ahead and make sure there will be guides available on the day you visit.
Part of the tour is in the hangar… If it is chilly outside I would bring along a jacket in case it is cold in there.
Come early! Tours are over at 2:45, understandably… you will lose track of time and end up spending more time here than you might think.
