 The Escape Lounge at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reopened late last summer with an updated decor and is enjoying steady traffic, a sign of the resurgent number of airline passengers and the popularity of the lounge located above the entrance to Concourse E.
“We saw a busy December around the holidays and we’re happy to welcome back our customers,” said Brian Perry, the lounge’s general manager. “We’re seeing about 80 percent of the business we saw in 2019.”
The Escape Lounge provides comfortable seating, a well-stocked buffet, coffee and tea, and a full bar – all in a relaxed atmosphere with elevated views of the MSP airfield. The lounge had closed in March 2020 as the pandemic began.
The newly made-over interior boasts new finishes, tables and chairs for dining (rather than booths), and lounge seating featuring adjustable surfaces for laptop computers.
Guests can experience the Escape Lounge by purchasing a day pass, or as American Express Platinum card or Delta Reserve American Express card members Perry said.
There are 12 Escape Lounges in the U.S., which is a partner with 13 Centurion Lounges located in U.S. airports, also accessed with the American Express cards. Visit the websites for full information and enjoy the Escape Lounge experience on your next visit to MSP.
MSP’s Escape Lounge at Terminal 1
- Located above the entrance to Concourse E
- Open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
- 5,000 square feet and seating for 140
- Full buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Full bar
- Self-serve coffee, tea, and espresso
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Whether you’re heading to the mountains, beach or somewhere in-between, you can save a nice chunk of change by prebooking your parking online before you arrive. Parkers who prebook always save $2 per day over drive-up rates.
Throughout the month of March, those flying out of Terminal 1 with extended stays will see even bigger savings. Travelers will save $7 a day on daily parking at the Terminal 1 ramps from March 1 – March 31 when they book online and stay for seven days or more.
Prebooked parking is a great way to use your own vehicle and ensure a contact-free commute to the airport. A QR code that you’ll receive in your confirmation is all you need to enter and exit the ramp. And you can now download the QR code directly to your mobile wallet.
Save money, minimize touchpoints and travel with confidence by using Prebooked Parking for your airport parking needs.
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 Passengers at MSP have a new fresh and healthy option for meals with Farmers Fridge, a provider of smart-tech refrigerated vending that features salads, meal bowls and snacks.
The company uses technology that continually tracks inventory for freshness, and stocks products in their machines that reflect customer preferences at each vending unit. For travelers on-the-go and with limited time for dining, Farmers Fridge provides a quick and healthy dining option 24 hours a day.
Seven vending machines are in Terminal 1, with locations in the Mall Food Court, and near gates F8, E12, C7, C10, C18, and in baggage claim near Carousel 6. Another unit is operating in Terminal 2 near gate H10.
Find additional information on menu offerings and a rewards program at the Farmers Fridge website.
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 Are you in the mood to watch some snow fly?
MSP Airport regularly has one of the best on-time flight performance records of any U.S. airport -- a notable distinction considering our winter weather. The Field Maintenance Department of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is a key piece of that accomplishment, and it's a team effort with the airlines, the FAA and the MAC's Airside Operations Department to coordinate all the snow removal operations.
The flurry-filled video available here (run time 3:46) provides a quick, comprehensive look at how the team at MSP manages to clear runways efficiently, even as the snow continues falling.
If you're looking for some live music while at MSP over the busy spring break timeframe, the Airport Foundation MSP has lined up a fantastic Thursdays in March performance series.
Spring Break Special Performances:
- Kip Jones (Thursday, March 3rd 2-4pm – Airport Mall Gallery)
- DJ Talia Knight (pictured at right) (Thursday, March 10th 5-7pm – Arrivals)
- DJ Mickey Breeze (Thursday, March 17th 5-7pm – Arrivals)
- Sarah Morris (Thursday, March 24th 2-4pm - Airport Mall Gallery)
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 The creativity and skill of Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and MSP Airport employees, volunteers, retirees and their families are on full display in the annual “MSP Creates: Airport Community Art Show,” which opened in December in the Concourse C Art Gallery at Terminal 1.
This year, 68 artists submitted 100 works of art for the exhibit’s eleventh installment.
Nearly 1,500 people tuned in to a recent virtual award ceremony to find out who took home the 25 awards given out. That presentation is now available for viewing at the link above.
The exhibit, co-sponsored by the National Arts Program, Arts@MSP, Airport Foundation MSP, and the MAC, will be on display in the Concourse C Art Gallery now through May 27, 2022.
The data is in and 2021 marked a significant rebound for passenger traffic at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission -- which owns and operates the airport -- are thankful for all of the fliers, and all the attention given to safe travel practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airport employees, airline employees and passengers have embraced the new normal, which aided MSP in surpassing 25.2 million total passengers for 2021 -- a 69.6 percent increase over 2020, but still 36.3 percent lower than 2019. In that year, MSP capped 10 years of total passenger growth setting a record of 39.5 million passengers.
MSP is hopeful for a continued recovery in 2022, including the business and international travel sectors.
Click here for additional details and full statistics for 2021.
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Spring break is right around the corner and is consistently one of MSP Airport's busiest times of the year.
Whatever travel plans you're considering, MSP Airport wants to hear from prospective travelers via a survey that gauges attitudes about and interest in air travel. The answers are helping shape the MSP travel experience as the COVID-19 era becomes more manageable.
Even if you’ve already taken the survey, please consider taking it again, as your thoughts and answers may have changed over time. We also add new questions each month. This month we want to hear about your ideal Spring Break destination.
Survey takers have shown interest in MSP's safety initiatives related to the pandemic, which are all a part of our Travel Confidently program, and the webpage will give you the details.
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