Omaha Eppley Airfield - CONSTRUCTION

[thenewguy]

i think that's gonna be slicker than snot. Looks clean and neat, definitely an inviting look

[Brad]

i think that's gonna be slicker than snot. Looks clean and neat, definitely an inviting look

Terrazzo floors are are literally ground up rocks and epoxy. I don't ever remember a Terrazzo floor bring overly slick. No different worse than tile or polished concrete.

I think Terrazzo looks really good. Wish more people used it. HyVee used it in some stores before they went to the polished concrete. It doesn't have to look dated, you can choose all sorts of colors and design it to look however you want.

[Louie]

i think that's gonna be slicker than snot. Looks clean and neat, definitely an inviting look

Terrazzo floors are are literally ground up rocks and epoxy. I don't ever remember a Terrazzo floor bring overly slick. No different worse than tile or polished concrete.

I think Terrazzo looks really good. Wish more people used it. HyVee used it in some stores before they went to the polished concrete. It doesn't have to look dated, you can choose all sorts of colors and design it to look however you want.

'Slicker than snot' was probably used in place of 'cool as heck', not actual slickness.

[Longlurker]

Yeah but I don't think it is going to be that cold either.

[thenewguy]

i think that's gonna be slicker than snot. Looks clean and neat, definitely an inviting look

Terrazzo floors are are literally ground up rocks and epoxy. I don't ever remember a Terrazzo floor bring overly slick. No different worse than tile or polished concrete.

I think Terrazzo looks really good. Wish more people used it. HyVee used it in some stores before they went to the polished concrete. It doesn't have to look dated, you can choose all sorts of colors and design it to look however you want.

sorry, i meant it as it will look slicker than snot, in that it's gonna look really cool. Like, a cool car would look slick or somethin. I didn't even think that about the fact that it would also mean the floors could look slick, lol.

[thenewguy]

i think that's gonna be slicker than snot. Looks clean and neat, definitely an inviting look

Terrazzo floors are are literally ground up rocks and epoxy. I don't ever remember a Terrazzo floor bring overly slick. No different worse than tile or polished concrete.

I think Terrazzo looks really good. Wish more people used it. HyVee used it in some stores before they went to the polished concrete. It doesn't have to look dated, you can choose all sorts of colors and design it to look however you want.

'Slicker than snot' was probably used in place of 'cool as heck', not actual slickness.

you are correct!

[NEDodger]

i think that's gonna be slicker than snot. Looks clean and neat, definitely an inviting look

Terrazzo floors are are literally ground up rocks and epoxy. I don't ever remember a Terrazzo floor bring overly slick. No different worse than tile or polished concrete.

I think Terrazzo looks really good. Wish more people used it. HyVee used it in some stores before they went to the polished concrete. It doesn't have to look dated, you can choose all sorts of colors and design it to look however you want.

'Slicker than snot' was probably used in place of 'cool as heck', not actual slickness.

you are correct!

Don’t worry. I found your description to be the Bee’s Knees.

[Mr.Nuke]

"Pedestrian Skywalks – Grants, Construction, and Professional Services Agreements" is a line item on next week's airport board meeting, so they must be ready to proceed there.

https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... -14-26.pdf

[InTheRoom]

Spring update. Not a huge difference from the Winter one that was published in March, but interior work should accelerate now that it's apparently enclosed.

https://www.buildoma.com/updates/spring ... on-update/

[BuildTaller]

I noticed the other week that they already installed several new jet bridges. I don't believe I've heard any mention of that anywhere. They are very similar to the old ones, just shinier and cleaner.

[BuildTaller]

Any insiders have any updates?

[Mr.Nuke]

I noticed the other week that they already installed several new jet bridges. I don't believe I've heard any mention of that anywhere. They are very similar to the old ones, just shinier and cleaner.

The airport noted it about a month ago that the first one was installed about a month after your post.

Any insiders have any updates?

Based on past history I'd expect a Summer update video from the airport authority around August 7th.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Should have gone with jet bridges with windows.

[CrankyOldDude]

Should have gone with jet bridges with windows.

Yeah but would there still be money in the budget for Runzas? Gotta have priorities

[almighty_tuna]

Looks pretty slick with the new terminal in that update. I should go on a vacation when the new section opens so I can check it out.

[djc311]

Can I just say the current food choices at the airport suck - I don't travel regularly and this year I've had to go a few times... ordered a pepperoni pizza in the terminal waiting for my last flight and it was burnt to a crisp and tasted terrible. Actually made me miss the days of them selling Godfather's mini pizzas (which I kinda like).

Can't wait for the airport to have better options!

[Greg S]

Can I just say the current food choices at the airport suck - I don't travel regularly and this year I've had to go a few times... ordered a pepperoni pizza in the terminal waiting for my last flight and it was burnt to a crisp and tasted terrible. Actually made me miss the days of them selling Godfather's mini pizzas (which I kinda like).

Can't wait for the airport to have better options!

Yeah right now it's rough on the food choices. Outside of that I have been pretty pleased with how well it's been flying in and out of Eppley during the rebuild. I travel some for work and when this initially was announced was concerned about the disruptions.

My hope on food options is that when it's all said and done, they have some options open late. Many times I am on flight that gets to the airport at 8 or later and everything is closed (and this includes pre renovations). To go home I head out to take 680 home and there's not a lot of places to grab a late dinner. If the airport has something available would definitely grab something to take with me.

[Louie]

Yeah right now it's rough on the food choices. Outside of that I have been pretty pleased with how well it's been flying in and out of Eppley during the rebuild. I travel some for work and when this initially was announced was concerned about the disruptions.

Same assessment. I've been in plenty of mid-construction airports and Eppley hasn't been nearly as difficult to get around as most during it.

[Mr.Nuke]

My hope on food options is that when it's all said and done, they have some options open late. Many times I am on flight that gets to the airport at 8 or later and everything is closed (and this includes pre renovations). To go home I head out to take 680 home and there's not a lot of places to grab a late dinner. If the airport has something available would definitely grab something to take with me.

Prepare to be disappointed then. The RFP only required restaurants to stay open until 8:00 p.m (same for the lounge). or potentially later to account for delayed departures. Scheduled departures really drop off after the 7:00 p.m. hour and that is the primary customer base they're serving. I'd wager it is north of 90% of the people eating at Eppley.

Scheduled arrivals don't really pick up again until the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. hours when the last flights come in for the night. Will something stay open past 8 p.m, maybe? But there likely really isn't a business case for it. Hence why the airport is only asking them to stay open until 8. I will not that both of the temporary restaurants are listed as open until 9 or last departure currently. The last departure in both terminals tonight is 8:15 and 8:30.

I flew out of ORD last week on a 9:30 p.m. departure. Even by 8 p.m. some stuff was closing down a lot more restaurants close at 9, etc. and that is a significantly larger airport.

[GrowUpFrances]

Does anyone know how the Mill is progressing? I thought construction began on that a few months ago. Would be great if any of these new amenities could open ahead of the complete terminal rebuild.

[Mr.Nuke]

Does anyone know how the Mill is progressing? I thought construction began on that a few months ago. Would be great if any of these new amenities could open ahead of the complete terminal rebuild.

For what it is worth the RFP from last year, the Mill is one of if not the last things projected to open, well beyond the central terminal stuff. Did they start working on the space early? Maybe? Probably??? The target occupancy date for that space last year wasn't until 1/2028.

If the RFP timeline from last April is still accurate, the restaurant/retail tenants should have access to the central terminal spaces here shortly by 9/2.

[CrankyOldDude]

From the OMA facebook page:

[CrankyOldDude]

My hope on food options is that when it's all said and done, they have some options open late. Many times I am on flight that gets to the airport at 8 or later and everything is closed (and this includes pre renovations). To go home I head out to take 680 home and there's not a lot of places to grab a late dinner. If the airport has something available would definitely grab something to take with me.

Prepare to be disappointed then. The RFP only required restaurants to stay open until 8:00 p.m (same for the lounge). or potentially later to account for delayed departures. Scheduled departures really drop off after the 7:00 p.m. hour and that is the primary customer base they're serving. I'd wager it is north of 90% of the people eating at Eppley.

Scheduled arrivals don't really pick up again until the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. hours when the last flights come in for the night. Will something stay open past 8 p.m, maybe? But there likely really isn't a business case for it. Hence why the airport is only asking them to stay open until 8. I will not that both of the temporary restaurants are listed as open until 9 or last departure currently. The last departure in both terminals tonight is 8:15 and 8:30.

I flew out of ORD last week on a 9:30 p.m. departure. Even by 8 p.m. some stuff was closing down a lot more restaurants close at 9, etc. and that is a significantly larger airport.

There are lots of arrivals late into the night but departures are rarely after 9 unless delayed. I wonder how many people arriving late at night seriously want to hang out at Eppley for a meal. Departing? Different story. You have to get to the airport an hour or more before the flight and then wait. Grab a bite or a drink or some cool OMA swag.

[Mr.Nuke]

-The video on the Build OMA website says they were targeting Mid 2027 for the central concourse/unified security opening.

-The 04/24, concessions RFP meeting indicated tenants would have access to the Central pavilion in and North concourse September of this year with Central Pavillion and North terminal operations commencing 03/2027, then South improvements June through September

-The 5/20/25 RFP meeting for the common use lounge (a year + after the concessions) "the date on which the Central Pavilion opens for business to the public, which is expected to be on or about November/December 2026"

Three more recent data points that I missed because quite frankly a baggage system isn't as sexy as the restaurants or common lounge.

-The RFP issued on 4/17/2026 called for activation of the baggage system As early as December 2026 That would obviously have been consistent with the latest date he had nearly a year before with the lounge RFP of opening by the end of the year.

-Addendum 1 of the RFP on 5/15/2026 has the baggage system activating As early as January 2027.

-Addendum 2 of the RFP on 5/20/2026 has it slipping to As early as February 2027

It isn't really clear to me why it slipped a month especially over the course of 5 days, but I'm assuming that is probably the best guess at the opening date as of right now as they presumably want the new baggage system handling the new terminal.

[GrowUpFrances]

For what it is worth the RFP from last year, the Mill is one of if not the last things projected to open, well beyond the central terminal stuff. Did they start working on the space early? Maybe? Probably??? The target occupancy date for that space last year wasn't until 1/2028.

If the RFP timeline from last April is still accurate, the restaurant/retail tenants should have access to the central terminal spaces here shortly by 9/2.

Ah interesting — good to know, thanks!

[thenewguy]

From the OMA facebook page:

very handsome looking exterior

[nebugeater]

-The video on the Build OMA website says they were targeting Mid 2027 for the central concourse/unified security opening.

-The 04/24, concessions RFP meeting indicated tenants would have access to the Central pavilion in and North concourse September of this year with Central Pavillion and North terminal operations commencing 03/2027, then South improvements June through September

-The 5/20/25 RFP meeting for the common use lounge (a year + after the concessions) "the date on which the Central Pavilion opens for business to the public, which is expected to be on or about November/December 2026"

Three more recent data points that I missed because quite frankly a baggage system isn't as sexy as the restaurants or common lounge.

-The RFP issued on 4/17/2026 called for activation of the baggage system As early as December 2026 That would obviously have been consistent with the latest date he had nearly a year before with the lounge RFP of opening by the end of the year.

-Addendum 1 of the RFP on 5/15/2026 has the baggage system activating As early as January 2027.

-Addendum 2 of the RFP on 5/20/2026 has it slipping to As early as February 2027

It isn't really clear to me why it slipped a month especially over the course of 5 days, but I'm assuming that is probably the best guess at the opening date as of right now as they presumably want the new baggage system handling the new terminal.

Could very easily be tied to the deleivery of one necessary piece of equipment being delayed by the manufacturer/supplier. Not uncommon.

[thenewguy]

My hope on food options is that when it's all said and done, they have some options open late. Many times I am on flight that gets to the airport at 8 or later and everything is closed (and this includes pre renovations). To go home I head out to take 680 home and there's not a lot of places to grab a late dinner. If the airport has something available would definitely grab something to take with me.

Prepare to be disappointed then. The RFP only required restaurants to stay open until 8:00 p.m (same for the lounge). or potentially later to account for delayed departures. Scheduled departures really drop off after the 7:00 p.m. hour and that is the primary customer base they're serving. I'd wager it is north of 90% of the people eating at Eppley.

Scheduled arrivals don't really pick up again until the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. hours when the last flights come in for the night. Will something stay open past 8 p.m, maybe? But there likely really isn't a business case for it. Hence why the airport is only asking them to stay open until 8. I will not that both of the temporary restaurants are listed as open until 9 or last departure currently. The last departure in both terminals tonight is 8:15 and 8:30.

I flew out of ORD last week on a 9:30 p.m. departure. Even by 8 p.m. some stuff was closing down a lot more restaurants close at 9, etc. and that is a significantly larger airport.

it's been a few months since I've had a late arrival at Eppley, but I recall them covering where the premade sandwiches are, etc. Having to uber home, it would have been much easier to buy a sandwich while I waited, rather than going back out for something once I was home. Just sayin

[nebugeater]

My hope on food options is that when it's all said and done, they have some options open late. Many times I am on flight that gets to the airport at 8 or later and everything is closed (and this includes pre renovations). To go home I head out to take 680 home and there's not a lot of places to grab a late dinner. If the airport has something available would definitely grab something to take with me.

Prepare to be disappointed then. The RFP only required restaurants to stay open until 8:00 p.m (same for the lounge). or potentially later to account for delayed departures. Scheduled departures really drop off after the 7:00 p.m. hour and that is the primary customer base they're serving. I'd wager it is north of 90% of the people eating at Eppley.

Scheduled arrivals don't really pick up again until the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. hours when the last flights come in for the night. Will something stay open past 8 p.m, maybe? But there likely really isn't a business case for it. Hence why the airport is only asking them to stay open until 8. I will not that both of the temporary restaurants are listed as open until 9 or last departure currently. The last departure in both terminals tonight is 8:15 and 8:30.

I flew out of ORD last week on a 9:30 p.m. departure. Even by 8 p.m. some stuff was closing down a lot more restaurants close at 9, etc. and that is a significantly larger airport.

it's been a few months since I've had a late arrival at Eppley, but I recall them covering where the premade sandwiches are, etc. Having to uber home, it would have been much easier to buy a sandwich while I waited, rather than going back out for something once I was home. Just sayin

There is always the third option. Have something at home

[thenewguy]

My hope on food options is that when it's all said and done, they have some options open late. Many times I am on flight that gets to the airport at 8 or later and everything is closed (and this includes pre renovations). To go home I head out to take 680 home and there's not a lot of places to grab a late dinner. If the airport has something available would definitely grab something to take with me.

Prepare to be disappointed then. The RFP only required restaurants to stay open until 8:00 p.m (same for the lounge). or potentially later to account for delayed departures. Scheduled departures really drop off after the 7:00 p.m. hour and that is the primary customer base they're serving. I'd wager it is north of 90% of the people eating at Eppley.

Scheduled arrivals don't really pick up again until the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. hours when the last flights come in for the night. Will something stay open past 8 p.m, maybe? But there likely really isn't a business case for it. Hence why the airport is only asking them to stay open until 8. I will not that both of the temporary restaurants are listed as open until 9 or last departure currently. The last departure in both terminals tonight is 8:15 and 8:30.

I flew out of ORD last week on a 9:30 p.m. departure. Even by 8 p.m. some stuff was closing down a lot more restaurants close at 9, etc. and that is a significantly larger airport.

it's been a few months since I've had a late arrival at Eppley, but I recall them covering where the premade sandwiches are, etc. Having to uber home, it would have been much easier to buy a sandwich while I waited, rather than going back out for something once I was home. Just sayin

There is always the third option. Have something at home

you aren't wrong I just don't want to fix something at 11

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Perhaps they will throw in some automated meal prep machines. At STL for example, there is a machine that will make you a salad and another that will make you a personal pizza. I've had the pizza. It's not great, but in a pinch it'll do.

[thenewguy]

Perhaps they will throw in some automated meal prep machines. At STL for example, there is a machine that will make you a salad and another that will make you a personal pizza. I've had the pizza. It's not great, but in a pinch it'll do.

i have wondered about those. We were on vacation one time and they had a pizza kiosk- i had a few beers but even by then my inhibitions weren't lowered enough to risk it ;)

[skinzfan23]

I tried the pizza making machine in Detroit. It was edible. Kinda tasted like a greasy Totinos pizza. But I believe it was only $10.

[thenewguy]

I tried the pizza making machine in Detroit. It was edible. Kinda tasted like a greasy Totinos pizza. But I believe it was only $10.

now you're talkin. Honestly, i love me some totinos.

[Mr.Nuke]

There are lots of arrivals late into the night but departures are rarely after 9 unless delayed. I wonder how many people arriving late at night seriously want to hang out at Eppley for a meal. Departing? Different story. You have to get to the airport an hour or more before the flight and then wait. Grab a bite or a drink or some cool OMA swag.

Like I said in my post I’m seriously doubting that there are a significant number of people that want to hang out at any airport at any time for a meal after arriving at their destination. My 10% figure may have been overly generous. And yeah, the latter is why the hours are set based on departing flights. They know they’ve got a captive audience with you there for an hour or two before a flight at that point. 99% of people arriving at their destination's inclination is to get out of there asap after sitting on a metal tube for a couple of hours.

it's been a few months since I've had a late arrival at Eppley, but I recall them covering where the premade sandwiches are, etc. Having to uber home, it would have been much easier to buy a sandwich while I waited, rather than going back out for something once I was home. Just sayin

There is always the third option. Have something at home

I propose a fourth and a fifth. The fourth is to uber to the Old Market where numerous restaurants are still open and then uber home. The fifth is really the reason why I think keeping stuff open for arriving passengers is entirely irrelevant (ignoring again I don’t think arriving passengers in general account for more than probably 5% at best of airport food consumption)…

#5 is that nearly anything scheduled to arrive after 8 p.m. has you either needing to be at an airport for a direct flight, or connecting through a hub airport during “normal” dinner hours. Yeah it may be earlier than you are used to eating, but in the absence of an extremely tight collection, if you are coming into Eppley at night, you are passing food in the dinner window at another airport.

Perhaps they will throw in some automated meal prep machines. At STL for example, there is a machine that will make you a salad and another that will make you a personal pizza. I've had the pizza. It's not great, but in a pinch it'll do.

The RFP had vending machines in the proposal. We’ll see how extensive the food offerings end up being on that front.

[Mr.Nuke]

it's been a few months since I've had a late arrival at Eppley, but I recall them covering where the premade sandwiches are, etc. Having to uber home, it would have been much easier to buy a sandwich while I waited, rather than going back out for something once I was home. Just sayin

And on this, I honestly didn't look either way last week when I flew, but pre-security on both sides I still think there should be some sort of 24/7 vending options. It looked like they had sandwiches and salads as of last year.
https://www.wowt.com/2025/01/03/omaha-a ... n-project/

[CrankyOldDude]

One thing about being "semi" retired is that I have time on my hands and if I feel like researching something I can.

Today there is a total of 172 flights at OMA, half inbound and half outbound. (duh)

Here's the breakdown of flights by hour:



Same chart with arrivals and departures split:

[Mr.Nuke]

One thing about being "semi" retired is that I have time on my hands and if I feel like researching something I can.

Today there is a total of 172 flights at OMA, half inbound and half outbound. (duh)

Here's the breakdown of flights by hour:



Same chart with arrivals and departures split:

Eppley basically did the same thing for bidders on the concession contract but did it based on passenger seats per hour based on a date in March of 2024 for reasons unknown. Both look to be pretty similar especially if you had filtered out for commercial planes only.

[thenewguy]

it's been a few months since I've had a late arrival at Eppley, but I recall them covering where the premade sandwiches are, etc. Having to uber home, it would have been much easier to buy a sandwich while I waited, rather than going back out for something once I was home. Just sayin

And on this, I honestly didn't look either way last week when I flew, but pre-security on both sides I still think there should be some sort of 24/7 vending options. It looked like they had sandwiches and salads as of last year.
https://www.wowt.com/2025/01/03/omaha-a ... n-project/

Awesome! Last time i flew in later at night (11ish?) was back in late November. Good to see those options there!

[Mr.Nuke]

\Three more recent data points that I missed because quite frankly a baggage system isn't as sexy as the restaurants or common lounge.

-The RFP issued on 4/17/2026 called for activation of the baggage system As early as December 2026 That would obviously have been consistent with the latest date he had nearly a year before with the lounge RFP of opening by the end of the year.

-Addendum 1 of the RFP on 5/15/2026 has the baggage system activating As early as January 2027.

-Addendum 2 of the RFP on 5/20/2026 has it slipping to As early as February 2027

It isn't really clear to me why it slipped a month especially over the course of 5 days, but I'm assuming that is probably the best guess at the opening date as of right now as they presumably want the new baggage system handling the new terminal.

And our first public data point. It is unclear whether "new gates" means the two they had planned to add to the existing South concourse or if it partially extends North into the new central terminal.

“This November, travelers will get their first look at the future of OMA when we open a portion of our new concourse and several new gates,” Roth said. “This gate preview is a sneak peek of what’s to come as we continue transforming the passenger experience while keeping the airport open and operating throughout construction. We look forward to welcoming passengers into this new space.”

Travelers flying with south terminal airlines will experience the gate preview in early November. This will be the first phase of opening Eppley’s new terminal with more to come in 2027 and 2028. South terminal passengers will experience new space including gates, modern seating, more charging stations, larger restrooms, family restrooms and mother’s rooms.

In early 2027, the new central pavilion and unified concourse will open, providing an entirely new travel experience for all passengers ahead of next summer’s busy travel period. The terminal will be home to new concessions, expanded restrooms, larger gate waiting areas and a centralized Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening checkpoint, all designed to improve the overall traveler experience.

https://growomaha.com/eppley-airfield-s ... r-in-june/

Does anyone know how the Mill is progressing? I thought construction began on that a few months ago. Would be great if any of these new amenities could open ahead of the complete terminal rebuild.

I'm now I'm almost wondering if that won't be the first "new" concession thing to open up. It would make sense given the above quoted plan and them starting work on that space way earlier than the RFP had called for it. Some of this could be a slight pivot due to the baggage handling system delays.