Terminal 1 (including 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E)

Five linked piers curve out as Terminal 1’s main concourse

Terminal 1 at NBO runs as a single curved complex split into 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E, all under the “T1” label. Kenya Airways anchors most of the gates here, with British Airways also using this side of the airport. Think of it as one long arc with short piers, not five totally separate buildings.

International flights lean on 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E

Most international departures sit in Terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E, with gates fanning out along the curve. Kenya Airways uses 1A heavily for its long-haul and regional operations, while carriers like British Airways plug into neighboring gates in the same complex. If your ticket only says “Terminal 1,” expect an international gate assignment in one of these four piers once check-in opens, often around T-3 hours.

Domestic flights run out of Terminal 1D

Terminal 1D handles domestic traffic inside the same overall arc, so you stay within Terminal 1 even if you’re hopping to Mombasa or Kisumu. Kenya Airways and its subsidiaries typically run these short-haul hops from 1D, with shorter queues and tighter turnaround times, often 30–40 minutes on the ground. If you’re connecting from an overnight international arrival into a morning domestic leg, build at least 90 minutes between flights for immigration and walking time.

Security and immigration sit between curb and concourse

For departures, you hit check-in desks by terminal segment (1A–1E), then move through security and immigration before reaching the curved airside corridor. Arrivals come in through the same concourse but peel off to dedicated immigration halls, then drop to baggage claim at ground level. During peak banks, especially Kenya Airways’ late-night wave around 22:00–02:00, queues for passport control can stretch 30–45 minutes, so plan your onward ground transport with that in mind.

Facilities are basic, so plan ahead for food and cash

Terminal 1 has standard airport services spread along the arc: ATMs, currency exchange counters, and a handful of snack kiosks and small cafés that open roughly with the main flight banks. Prices tend to run higher than Nairobi city rates, especially for bottled water and coffee, and smaller outlets sometimes close by 23:00 if traffic drops. If you care about specific meals or coffee chains, eat in town first and treat T1 as backup only.

Walking times can surprise first-timers

The full curve of Terminal 1 from the far end of 1A to the far end of 1E can easily take 10–15 minutes at a normal pace. Kenya Airways often shifts aircraft between nearby gates inside the same segment, so last-minute gate changes within 1A or 1B are common in the last 30 minutes before boarding. Watch the overhead monitors near your gate and keep an eye on the time once you pass security.

Connections stay inside Terminal 1 but still take time

If you’re connecting international–international within Terminal 1, you usually stay airside and just walk between 1A–1E, but you still pass through security screening again at some points along the route. International–domestic connections into 1D often involve a longer walk along the concourse and a fresh security check near the domestic gates. As a rule, treat 90 minutes as a hard minimum for any connection involving an airline change or checked bags.

One simple move saves stress

After immigration and security, walk 5–10 minutes down the curved concourse away from the busiest central clusters in 1A/1B before you settle. Gates farther from the central intersection typically stay quieter, with more open seating and easier access to restrooms just off the main corridor.