 The “see18” film space at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s Terminal 1 recently pushed the refresh button, with new programming and amenities to better serve passengers looking for a visual interlude. (The see18 name is a nod to its location near Gate C18).
On Jan. 1, Arts@MSP -- a partnership between the Airport Foundation MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission -- began showing content provided by its new partners, TED and TPT - the Twin Cities’ public television station.
TED, of TED Talks fame, is contributing a variety of talk videos about everything from creativity and filmmaking to a humorous take on procrastination.
TPT’s contributions feature several films with a Minnesota focus – including a piece about the city of Saint Paul’s past and a look at how Minnesota became a leader in technology-focused enterprises.
Also new to see18 are added creature comforts, including more comfortable seating and improved video screen technology.
Individual videos run in length from a matter of minutes to about an hour, and in total provide 8 hours of programming on a loop that runs 24-hours-a-day .
For travelers who would rather experience the see18 content on a laptop computer or other digital device – anywhere, anytime -- Arts@MSP also provides it at this web page.
“With this new programming, we’re seeing the next version of see18,” said Youa Vang, the performing arts coordinator for Arts@MSP. “We think passengers will find the programming engaging and entertaining, and also enlightening.”
The programming from TED and TPT is set to run through 2021. The see18 film space is free and open to travelers inside the secure area of Terminal 1.
 Travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s (MSP) Terminal 1 can now enjoy a new art display featuring a variety of artwork from members of the airport community.
The exhibit, “MSP Creates: Airport Community Art Show,” opened in December and runs through June 4, 2021.
The winners of this juried art show -- now in its 10th year – were announced at a virtual awards ceremony on December 18, with 27 awards presented in various categories.
Located in Terminal 1’s Thomson Reuters Concourse C Art Gallery -- near Gate C12 – the exhibit includes work from 96 artists including paintings, photography, drawings, sculptures and other modes of expression.
The artists include those who work, volunteer or are retired from airport positions, and their family members.
The exhibit is co-sponsored by the National Arts Program, Arts@MSP, Airport Foundation MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
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 Diners at La Voya at the InterContinental Hotel.
Restaurants at MSP Airport have made safety a priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue on that course following Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s recent order regarding restaurant operations – including those at MSP.
Following Gov. Walz’s order issued last week, restaurants at MSP will be adhering to a handful of new regulations, similar to the safety protocols they already had in place.
The new regulations include:
- Keeping occupancy under 50 percent of capacity, with a maximum of 150 people. Only one spot at MSP has space for 150 – the food court on the mall in Terminal 1. Some tables will be blocked there to keep customer numbers below 150.
- No more than six customers at one table.
- No more than two customers together at a bar at any one time, and social distancing of six feet must be maintained among those seated at bars or counters.
- Restaurant operators will record the date, name and phone number of each guest, in case contact-tracing is needed.
- On-site sit-down dining will not be offered between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Walk-up and delivery service, which is available at MSP through several channels, can continue even when seated dining is not allowed.
- On-site diners must be seated at all times.
For those wishing to find more social distance, it’s important to note that travelers are not required to eat within the restaurants. If they order food to go, they can eat it in any public location inside the terminal.
Also at the airport, the InterContinental Hotel at Terminal 1 recently reopened the La Voya Brasseire restaurant (pictured above) for dining, with hours from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, and take-out service from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The restaurant had been required to close by a previous executive order because it is not located inside a secure area of MSP.
La Voya, which features French-inspired dishes with a Minnesota twist, is following the state’s order for safe dining and continues to have Plexiglas protectors at the bar and regularly disinfects the restaurant area and tables.
MSP Airport and its concessionaires have also expanded the availability of apps that provide online menus, ordering and payment functions to enhance safety and convenience for passengers.
If you’re planning a trip in the near future, check out the MSP ASAP website for information about contactless ordering at Terminal 1. The Grab app and the AtYourGate app also provide contactless ordering and payment options at Terminal 1. Also, at Terminal 2, both Subway and Caribou offer contactless ordering on their apps.
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Responses from a traveler sentiment survey collected since last summer – and prompted by the downturn in air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- show that 41 percent of respondents would be willing to fly tomorrow.
The survey has helped guide Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s (MSP) modifications to the MSP travel experience in the COVID-19 era.
Travelers continue to be most interested in safety initiatives, such as the increased presence of hand sanitizer dispensers, the face mask requirement and the airport’s efforts to increase physical distancing.
How are you feeling about air travel? Even if you’ve taken the survey before, feel free to respond again, as we’re tracking sentiment over time.
Thank you for your continued interest in helping us make air travel as safe and comfortable as possible.
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