 The MEA school break is right around the corner and many Minnesotans will use the opportunity to fly out of MSP Airport for a pre-winter vacation.
Passenger numbers traditionally start to increase the weekend before the MEA school break, which is Oct. 20 and 21 this year. The Wednesday of MEA week is typically the busiest travel day. MSP will have extra staff on hand during the MEA period to direct passengers to appropriate lines and help with wayfinding and other questions. We still recommend that flyers arrive two hours ahead of a domestic flight and three hours ahead of an international flight.
MSP is offering some discounts for prebooked parking around MEA that guarantees travelers a parking space for $2 less than daily drive-up rates.
During busy times, drivers can go up or down to Terminal 1’s departures or arrivals levels, to pick up or drop off passengers. For pick-ups, also consider using the cell phone lot on Post Road, where you can stage yourself while you wait for a call from your passenger after they have their bags.
If you’re flying with children, it’s a good idea to revisit the TSA’s tips for traveling with children, and other travel tips including what you can and cannot bring through security.
Once inside, we encourage you to explore the terminal and experience the wide variety of options for food and beverages. For pre-flight dining, you have options to make your airport experience time-efficient at both terminals. At Terminal 1, MSP ASAP offers options to order ahead and pick up your items. At Terminal 2, travelers can order ahead from several restaurants and skip the lines.
Plan ahead and make your MSP Airport experience a joy over MEA!
The week of the MEA school break brings many families and children to MSP, and activities are planned for the busiest travel day of the week. On Wed., Oct. 19, travelers will encounter balloon artists and find some swag on the airport mall at Terminal 1, from 1-4 p.m.
A musical performance through Arts@MSP occurs that same day from 2-4 p.m., as Papa Siama and Auntie Dallas provide feel-good music from the heart of Africa. They will perform in the center area of the airport mall in Terminal 1.
In between the musical performances on Wednesday, travelers can enjoy book readings from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. in the same center area of the mall.
The authors of “Where We Come From” and “How to Eat an Airplane” will read their books to passengers. After the readings, audiences will have an opportunity to purchase signed copies from the Open Book store, also located on the mall.
Both books are among the six books featured in the “Stars of the North Story Time” exhibit that’s currently on display in the airport’s see18 Gallery near Gate C18 on Concourse C. The exhibit provides viewers a “story stroll” through each book, with full text and illustrations.
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Airport, airline and business leaders last week welcomed the resumption of Delta Air Lines’ service between MSP Airport (MSP) and Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) after a more than two-year hiatus triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 300 passengers – a full flight on the flagship Airbus 350-900 – gathered on Concourse G, as airport and airline leaders led the celebration of the return of service to South Korea.
Delta's nonstop service to Seoul – MSP's longest international route at more than 6,200 miles and more than 12 hours long – marks the 25th international flight out of 30 to return to MSP since the pandemic began. Delta's MSP-Seoul route is initially operating three times per week and will increase to daily service on Oct. 29.
Delta's second MSP-to-Asia route, service to Tokyo-Haneda Airport, is tentatively set to restart in late March 2023.
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A new domestic route was launched last week as well, as Allegiant Airlines started service from MSP to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) on Oct. 6, with fares as low as $49. Allegiant’s service, first announced last May, wasn’t delayed by the recent Florida hurricane as the Sarasota Airport reopened a few days after the storm passed.
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Concessionaire offerings continue to expand and evolve at MSP, and you’ll want to visit the latest hot spots on your next trip through Terminal 1.
Hjem + Home, (pronounced “yem”) is now open on Concourse C, providing travelers an opportunity to find a favorite Scandinavian or Minnesota-themed gift for that special someone or for themselves.
The recently re-branded shop offers a wide range of gifts for all tastes, including lounge wear, locally sourced maple syrup and honey; pajamas, t-shirts and hoodies; and candles, art prints and greeting cards.
You can also find Minnesota-inspired serving glasses, whiskey glasses, lapel pins and even dryer balls, among other unique goods.
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Other gift opportunities await at The North Mercantile Co., a newly rebranded shop located on Concourse G near the Concourse F connector.
North Mercantile offers a large variety of gifts ranging from locally sourced Swedish pancake mix to fleece-lined leggings, themed candles and pencils guaranteed to get a laugh, or home goods and hooded sweatshirts, along with handbags and jewelry. Other goods include memorabilia tied to Minnesota icons Bob Dylan and Judy Garland.
After your shopping, visit the recently reopened Moe’s Southwest Grill, located in the food court on the airport mall in Terminal 1. Diners can enjoy a delicious selection of burritos, build-your-own salad bowls, tacos, nachos and quesadillas.
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The deadline for having a REAL ID in hand for domestic flights is coming up, and MSP Airport and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety encourage you to get your REAL ID now.
The requirement takes effect on May 3, 2023, which is less than seven months away. On that date, Minnesotans will no longer be able to use their standard driver’s license to board a domestic flight. You’ll need a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative form of ID, including a passport, military ID or enhanced ID card. The move is a federal requirement that enhances security on all flights.
There’s a Minnesota Department of Public Safety booth at MSP Airport where you can apply for your REAL ID. Located on the third level of Terminal 1's Green Parking Ramp, the office is open Monday through Friday. More information, including the office's hours, is available here.
Visit the REAL ID page at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website to get details on what’s required with your application. The department also offers a full page of resources related to REAL ID.
The Transportation Security Administration has an informative FAQs page that provides additional details on REAL ID.
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 MSP Airport and its partner Meet Minneapolis recently hosted the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) 2022 Annual Conference & Exhibition drawing a large crowd to downtown Minneapolis.
More than 2,000 airport and aviation industry leaders attended the five-day event, highlighted by presentations from Scott Pelley, “60 Minutes” correspondent, and Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines. The conference’s content touched on numerous topics, including the ongoing resurgence in the airline industry following challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Conference attendees also had the opportunity to take tours of MSP Airport and see some of the sweeping changes made to the airport’s interior and exterior in recent years, including airfield technology upgrades.
The conference’s sponsors included many of the businesses operating at MSP that provide services to passengers every day. The Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP, is proud of the teamwork that went into producing a complex, well-orchestrated event and the great impressions it delivered for the airport and the Twin Cities.
Autumn is in the air and many air travelers have already booked fall excursions or are planning travel for November and December. We have an ongoing survey that gauges attitudes about air travel, whatever the season, and your answers are helping shape the MSP experience.
One thing we already know: Travel is back. Our surveys are now showing that 88 percent of respondents would be willing to get on a plane tomorrow, a figure that's almost triple what it was at the start of the pandemic.
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're asking "What’s your favorite shop or restaurant at MSP?"
Among topics that survey takers have shown an interest in: MSP's safety initiatives related to the pandemic, which are a part of our Travel Confidently MSP program.
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