Improving Our Experience At MSP

It is a well-known fact that Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is our primary port of call for air travel in this region. We count as part of the millions of passengers who fly in or out of there every year.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) operates this 3,400-acre hub for our travel adventures, replete with four primary runways for 17 airlines flying to over 150 destinations direct on three continents. In 2023, MSP welcomed 34,770,800 passengers either flying in, out, or connecting from one flight to another. The airport is also home to 21,000 direct employees that help generate $15.9 million of business revenue for the region.

While it was ranked as the 19^th busiest airport in the U.S.A. for passenger movement, it is also among the top airports in the country. It was recently awarded the Airport Council International’s ASQ Awards for Customer Experience – the best among all airports around the world. In addition, it was named to one of Cirium’s 2023 On-Time Performance Awards – the first U.S.A. airport named to this distinction since 2011.

With these awards and accolades it has received, MSP is always innovating and transforming. It is a good airport, but MAC has been pushing its envelope to make it an even better place to fly into and out of.

Since 2016, the airport has undergone a multi-year modernization program to create a better airport. So far, there have been improvements in the pre-security area at Terminal 1. According to Jeff Lea, the Manager of Strategic Communication with the Metropolitan Airports Commission, those improvements include “all new ticket counters and baggage delivery systems for outbound flights and expanded security lanes at the north and south checkpoints. Terrazzo flooring, brighter and more sustainable lighting, and more convenient seating has been added on multiple levels.”

On the Arrivals Level at Terminal 1, there are all new baggage carousels with 10 larger claim devices which are now in operation. Lea mentioned that “one more new baggage carousel will be open later in 2024.”

A huge addition to MSP’s Terminal 1 is the new Silver Ramp, adding 5,000 parking spaces to the airport. This also houses the new Rental Car Center and Ground Transportation Center. Additionally, it also provides a convenient connection to Metro Transit’s Light Rail Blue Line from this transportation hub. The other big feature of the Silver Ramp is the 56-feet tall escalator reaching the highest level for rental cars – which Lea points out that it’s “the tallest escalator in Minnesota.”

Terminal 2 saw the start of the MSP Reserve program, which allows you to reserve your time to go through security. “The service enhances the travel experience by giving passengers more certainty at one of the busiest congestion points in the airport journey,” said Scott Skramstad, the MAC’s director of terminal and landside operations. “Reserving a time to transit through the security checkpoint is simple and free, and we expect it will streamline and expedite the screening process for passengers.”

Along Post Road, you will notice that the old taxi holding area has become a new Cell Phone Lot, which is closer to Terminal 1 than the smaller lot down the road. “This is another way to enhance the customer experience, meeting the growing demand for free, safe, and convenient spaces for drivers to wait before picking up passengers,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the MAC. “The lots help reduce traffic congestion near the terminals because they eliminate the need for drivers to circle the airport before their party arrives at the pick-up zones.”

MSP has seen a huge growth in using app-based rideshare services to and from the airport. – around “2,900 ride requests per day in the past 12 months,” according to Lea. To make things easier, they have moved the Lyft/Uber to a completely sheltered area across from Terminal 1. The capacity for rideshare vehicles was increased to 50 spaces.

The next step at the MSP is what they call the Airport Modernization Program, which calls for the total revamp of 75 gates in Terminal 1 for Delta Airlines. As the largest air carrier at MSP, Delta is prime to utilize its hub at the airport by bringing a modern look and feel for better connections and origin customers. Ryks said that “It’s another major investment to create brighter, more modern spaces that complement MSP’s award-winning customer service.” Lea also stated that the revamp of the renovations of the Delta gates “should not impact operations, with much of the work occurring during overnight hours.”

As a bonus, there are now three Delta Sky Clubs across the airport. That brings the number of premium airline lounges to five across Terminal 1.

Serving our community is important with MSP providing a growing number of destinations for us to fly direct to. That includes serving a growing number of international passengers flying in and out of the airport. In 2024, passengers will now fly to 31 destinations outside of the U.S.A., with new services being added to meet the demand of its passengers. Delta and Aer Lingus will resume service to Dublin, Ireland this year, while Lufthansa will begin service to Frankfurt becoming the 18^th and newest carrier to serve MSP. Canadian airline WestJet will add Regina, Saskatchewan to its growing number of flights out of this airport.

This year will also see further expansion in domestic flights as well. Over at Terminal 2, locally based Sun Country Airlines continues to add new destinations to its schedule. This year, they will service Monterey, California – bringing travelers to one of the most beautiful parts of that state. While it will be the longest flight to fly in and out of Monterey Regional Airport, passengers will appreciate not having to go through San Jose or San Francisco just to get down there.

“The new international and domestic flights give Minnesotans more destinations and more frequent flight options, some on multiple carriers, to meet the demand for business, leisure and personal travel,” explained Lea.

The airport is not just about flights. It is about making the most of your time before you board. Both Terminal 1 and 2 offer its share of dining and shopping for passengers either flying out or connecting at MSP. Lea points out that MSP “has been chosen as the best airport in North American for six out the last seven years by Airports Council International through its global passenger satisfaction survey program. It was also honored by J.D. Power as the number one mega airport in the country  in 2022. The Wall Street Journal ranked MSP the #2 large airport in its annual U.S. rankings last year.”

Everywhere you go in both terminals, there are plenty of food options available – ranging from national chains to local favorites. That includes local Chef Justin Sutherland’s Northern Soul, found in the Terminal 1 Mall – where all concourses connect from the pre-security area. If you have a hankering for southern style fried chicken before your flight, there is one local option available to get you ready for departure.

While the airport serves our state and community at its best, MSP and MAC both believe it could achieve more. The COVID-19 Pandemic threw air travel into a tailspin due to travel restrictions imposed during that period. The last full year of travel prior to the pandemic – 2019 – saw MSP serve an all-time high of 39.5 million passengers.

Lea assures us that to start a great trip at MSP means “being prepared to allow enough time to arrive or park, check-in and get through security. There will be certain times of the day through March and April with higher than normal volume of travelers transiting through MSP.”

What’s the best tip in making your time at MSP well worth the trip? Lea summed it up here: “If you’re flying out, pre-book your parking and arrive early to get through the check-in and security processes. If someone is flying out of Terminal 1, they can check the wait times on the giant display boards at either end of the terminal (north and south checkpoints). Since both access all Terminal 1 gates, passengers can choose the shorter line and get to their gate faster.”

When you’re ready to fly, MSP is ready to start your trip by being one of the best airports to fly out of – and back.

For more information, log on to mspairport.com