St. Paul Airport: A Comprehensive Size Overview

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota. It covers 2,930 acres (1,186 ha) of land and is the country's 17th busiest travel hub, with 34 million passengers passing through each year. The airport has two terminals, with a total of 131 gates, and is known for its ease of check-in, security, and amenities. In addition to its role as a commercial airport, MSP also supports several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations.

There is also a smaller airport called St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP), also known as Holman Field. STP is a popular home base for corporate aircraft and has the longest runway in the MAC reliever airport system at 6,941 feet.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport's terminals

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP, is a joint civil-military public international airport that serves the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota. It is one of the busiest airports in the country, with 34-35 million passengers passing through each year. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), with a total of 131 gates across 8 concourses. Terminal 1 is the larger of the two, with 117 gates across seven concourses, lettered A–G, while Terminal 2 has 14 gates across one concourse, lettered H. The terminals are located about one mile (1.6-3 km) apart and are accessed from separate exits on Minnesota State Highway 5.

Terminal 1 at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport was originally constructed in 1962 and has since been expanded multiple times. It features 7 concourses, lettered A–G, with Concourse A located at the southeast end and Concourse B as a satellite concourse at the south end. Concourse C extends along one side, while Concourses D, E, and F are situated at the north end, and Concourse G extends down the other side. The terminal offers ticketing and bag-check services in the Ticketing Lobby on Level 2, and check-in is available on Level 2 for most airlines and Level T for Delta. There are also several lounges in Terminal 1, including the Delta Sky Club and United Club.

Terminal 2 was first built in 1986 and then rebuilt in 2001. It is primarily used by charter and low-cost airlines, such as Sun Country, Southwest, Condor, Icelandair, and JetBlue. This terminal has been expanded to include 14 gates and is located about one mile from Terminal 1. Passengers can purchase tickets, obtain boarding passes, and check luggage in the Ticketing Lobby on Level 1. Some airlines also offer curbside check-in services in front of Terminal 2.

Travellers who need to transfer between the two terminals can use the light rail transit service, which operates 24 hours a day with no fare charged for travel between the terminals. The Blue Line connects Terminal 1-Lindbergh Station and Terminal 2-Humphrey Station to downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, while the Green Line can also be accessed from downtown Saint Paul.

The airport's history

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota, United States. It is located within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul.

The airport, also known as Wold–Chamberlain Field, started in 1919 as Speedway Field when several local groups took control of the former bank. The first hangar, a wooden structure, was constructed in 1920 to accommodate airmail services. The Minneapolis Park Board took possession of Speedway Field on June 1, 1928, and in 1929, passenger services began. In 1923, the airport was renamed "Wold–Chamberlain Field" after World War I pilots Ernest Groves Wold and Cyrus Foss Chamberlain.

In 1944, the site was renamed the "Minneapolis–St. Paul Metropolitan Airport/Wold-Chamberlain Field", with "International" replacing "Metropolitan" in 1948. Ground was broken for the current Terminal 1 building (also known as the Lindbergh Terminal) on October 26, 1958. The terminal, which opened on January 13, 1962, was designed by Lyle George Landstrom and included two concourses and 24 gates. Pier D was opened in 1971, and Pier A in 1972.

Over the years, the airport continued to expand, adding jet bridges and a moving walkway. Terminal 2 (Humphrey) opened in 1986 and was rebuilt in 2001 for low-cost carriers. It has 14 gates and is used by several airlines, including Sun Country, Southwest, JetBlue, Condor, and Icelandair. The Gold Concourse was expanded in 1986 and included the airport's first moving walkway. Concourses A and B opened on June 1, 2002, as part of a $250 million terminal expansion.

Today, MSP is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest and a major hub for Delta Air Lines. It is also the home airport for Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. The airport has two terminals with a total of 131 gates and is revered for its ease of check-in, security, and amenities.

Its ranking and awards

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport has been ranked highly in several surveys and has received numerous awards. It was voted the "Best Airport in America" and the "5th Most Reliable Large Airport" by Peter Greenberg. It is the country's 17th busiest travel hub, with 34 million passengers passing through each year, and is the 12th busiest for aircraft operations. It was also ranked the best airport in North America in 2023 by Airports Council International (ACI) through its global passenger survey program in the 25-40 million passenger category.

In 2024, MSP won top global and large airport awards in Cirium's On-Time Performance Review. It was also ranked the best airport in the US in the prestigious J.D. Power survey, with a score of 800 out of 1,000 based on traveller satisfaction. The airport's high ranking was attributed to its recently updated facilities. In 2023, it was recognised by analytics company Cirium as the world's most punctual international airport, with on-time departure and arrival rates of 84.44% and 84.62%, respectively.

MSP has also received awards in numerous categories, including safety, fiscal management, labour relations, legal oversight, snow and ice control, concessions, airport design and development, and marketing and communications. The airport has been praised for its ease of check-in, security, and amenities.

The airport's amenities

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a bustling travel hub, known for its efficient operations and convenient amenities. Here is an overview of what travellers can expect in terms of airport amenities:

Terminals and Gates:

MSP has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), located about a mile apart. Terminal 1 is the larger of the two, boasting 117 gates across seven concourses, while Terminal 2 has 14 gates across a single concourse. The terminals are not connected within the airport, so travellers need to ensure they use the correct exit when arriving or departing.

Dining and Shopping:

Travellers will not go hungry at MSP, thanks to a wide range of dining options. From grab-and-go spots to full-service restaurants, the airport showcases local flavours and offers a taste of Minnesota. Local wine shops, classic bar bites, and fine fresh food can be found at various locations, including the Escape Lounge in Terminal One. For those looking to do some shopping, MSP boasts over 100 shops, providing a diverse range of options to explore.

Art and Culture:

The airport celebrates the state's vibrant arts scene and natural beauty through its art exhibits and installations. From colourful mosaics to sweeping sculptures, travellers can enjoy a cultural experience and a glimpse of Minnesota's creativity before even leaving the airport.

Transportation:

The airport is easily accessible and offers convenient transportation options. The Blue Line provides a direct connection to both terminals from downtown Minneapolis, while travellers from downtown Saint Paul can take the Green Line to the US Bank Stadium Station and then switch to the Blue Line. The airport also offers a variety of parking options to accommodate different traveller needs.

Lounges:

For those seeking a quiet space to relax or work, MSP offers lounges with daily membership fees. These lounges provide food, beverages, complimentary Wi-Fi, newspapers, magazines, and even iPad tablets for your convenience.

Awards and Recognition:

MSP has consistently been ranked among North America's best and most efficient airports, receiving accolades for its reliability, safety, fiscal management, and customer satisfaction. It has been recognised as the "Best Airport in America" and the "5th Most Reliable Large Airport" by Peter Greenberg.

In summary, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport offers a comprehensive range of amenities designed to enhance the travel experience. From efficient transportation links to cultural offerings and convenient dining and shopping options, MSP provides a traveller-friendly environment that showcases the best of Minnesota.

St. Paul Downtown Airport

The airport has an FAA tower that operates from 6 am to 10 pm, Monday through Friday, and 7 am to 10 pm on weekends. STP is unique among MAC reliever airports as it features a restaurant called Holmans Table. The airport has three runways: Runway 14/32, measuring 6,491' x 150'; Runway 13/31, measuring 4,004' x 150'; and Runway 9/27, measuring 3,642' x 100'.

The St. Paul Downtown Airport Advisory Council (DAAC) is an important component of the airport's operations. It is composed of appointed STP airport users and community representatives from the surrounding districts. This council plays a key role in the development of long-term comprehensive plans for the airport. STP also prioritizes noise reduction and has various initiatives in place to address aircraft noise concerns.

Frequently asked questions