Minneapolis St Paul Airport (MSP) Flights & Flight Status

Serving the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota, this international airport continues to grow and modernize. It is home to Delta Air Lines, which operates a major hub there, as well as privately-owned Sun Country Airlines.

Delta reigns the roost, but there are other airlines

Delta is the biggest operator at the airport flying across North America as well as to Europe and Asia. Chances are most passengers will be on Delta, which belongs to the SkyTeam alliance. But, other network airlines like Alaska, American, Southwest and United fly there, too.

Among low-cost airlines, Frontier and Spirit are the biggest options. International airlines like Air Canada, Aer Lingus, Air France, Condor and Icelandair also have their place on the departure boards.

Security checkpoint lines

The early morning is considered rush hour here, and you will want to allow plenty of time. I use the expedited CLEAR service along with TSA PreCheck to get to the front of the line more quickly. These lanes are available at both the north and south checkpoints in terminal 1, but CLEAR is not available in terminal 2.

If you are coming off an international flight, you will clear immigration and customs before going through another security checkpoint for any connecting flights. I find that there are rarely long lines for either of these, and they are not a far walk from re-entering the terminal.

Hidden gems at the airport

If you have a Priority Pass card (or simply want to pay for access), the PGA MSP Lounge in terminal 1 is always a good time. In addition to a food and drinks menu, you can practice your putt before your flight. It is located upstairs from the main terminal, which means it is easy to miss.

Families will find two play areas in the airport (one in each terminal). These have slides and climbing games, all with an airport theme.

I find the arts and culture program to be a fun way to pass the time, but you have to know where to look. In the departures hall of terminal 1, “The Aurora” is a ceiling-mounted light sculpture that depicts the state’s ideal position to see the Northern Lights, especially in the countryside.

If you are traveling with kids, I recommend taking time to go down one level to the arrivals area. By stepping on several glass platforms on the floor (representing many of the state’s lakes), visitors can actually control a changing series of lights in the ceiling sculpture.

When I am leaving from Delta gates in the C terminal, I try to stop by the first cinema in a U.S. airport between gates C18 and C19. That’s because there is a continuing loop of short films and documentaries made by local filmmakers and directors. If you run out of time, but are still interested, you can also see some of these films on the airport foundation’s own website.

Common pitfalls at the airport

There are two main terminals at MSP, and they are not physically connected. This means if you are connecting between the two, you need to allow plenty of time to exit security, take a bus, and reclear security in the other terminal. The good news is that the airport’s largest hub airline Delta operates all of its flights from the same terminal so most connections need not worry. If you do need to transit between the two, the light rail train is complimentary between the terminal stations.

The shape of the main Delta hub complex requires a lot of walking, and there are not always moving sidewalks. I like being able to rack up a lot of steps, but when I have a tight connection, it can be a hike here. The airport even developed the MSP Start! Walking Path, which is a 1.4-mile trek around terminal 1 that was designed in partnership with the American Heart Association.

As an alternative, a train operates on one end of the terminal, but it does not reach all gates. If you need to get between terminals B and F, look for the overpass shortcut with moving walkways near gate C12. You’ll need to go up the escalator to find it.

The best way to get to and from MSP

The airport’s three-letter code is MSP representing the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Getting to and from MSP’s terminals is not that much of a trek from either of these downtown areas. Reaching either of these two major cities requires about 11-13 miles of driving so it doesn’t take long. As someone who only travels with a carry-on bag, I prefer taking the light rail from either Minneapolis (locals call it Minnie) or Saint Paul. You will save cash on a taxi or Uber ride plus won’t need to worry about parking.

There are METRO Blue Line stations in both terminal, and trains go every 15-20 minutes between 5am and midnight.

You can sleep in the airport

Airports often do not condone sleeping in the airport terminal, especially after all flights have departed. Luckily, the airport’s newest hotel, the InterContinental Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport is connected to the terminal, and it has awesome runway views. Sadly, TSA closed the checkpoint that was at the hotel itself; this was a major timesaver when it was operational. Most other airport hotels require hopping a shuttle.

In a region of the country where weather can sometimes snarl travel plans, I have been offered travel mats to get some rest on the airport floor. Typically, these are only provided as a last resort when airlines request them or local hotels are sold out.

Try these amenities to relax at the airport

After a long flight from Asia or Europe, I like to relax with a shower and change of clothes if I have time between flights. Delta’s Sky Clubs do not have showers, unfortunately. Luckily, there are showers at terminal D’s XpresSpa, but you’ll have to pay for the privilege.

Another cool way to rid yourself of that crick in your neck or tired back is by visiting one of the airport’s several Chiroport locations. These chiropractic kiosks offer everything from massage to lumbar adjustments.

What to do during a long layover

The Delta Sky Clubs here have pretty great runway views, and I love that some of them have fireplaces. When it snows, it’s great to be warm inside with a hot drink watching the planes maneuver in the weather. MSP does this like a pro.

Hint: head for the newest Sky Club in Terminal G, which has an outdoor, all-weather deck and bar. It’s great for plane spotting. The lounge’s design is inspired by the state’s 10,000 lakes. Delta deserves credit for its newest lounges showcasing regional features through art and photography.

Other lounge options in the airport include a United Club and an Escape Lounge. I find it disappointing there is no larger credit card-affiliated lounge related to the big cards like a Centurion Lounge or Capital One Lounge. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card members and those with The Platinum Card from American Express can visit the Delta Sky Club when flying on a same-day Delta reservation.

When I have long connections of at least 6 hours, I hop a taxi or the light rail train to the nearby Mall of America for a little retail therapy. The train ride takes just over ten minutes. The largest mall in the country has great dining and amusement park style rides. I wouldn’t recommend leaving the airport on shorter connections, but this is great for families looking to keep the kiddos busy.

If you don’t want to leave the airport, there are plenty of shops and restaurants in the terminals as well. I love the locally born Black Sheep Pizza venue. This was the first coal-burning pizza outlet in Minnesota, and its airport pies are just as good as those in town.

Many gate areas have high-top tables with rows of mobile tablets. I sit there to work and power up devices and order food directly from the screen. This saves valuable time waiting in line, and someone will bring your food right to you. It asks when your flight departs, and won’t let you order food if it is within too short a time window.