Minneapolis Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope Explored

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, is a joint civil-military public international airport. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport covers 2,930 acres of land and has two terminals with a total of 131 gates. It is one of the nation's largest and busiest airports, serving more than 37 million travellers in 2024 and supporting more than 86,900 jobs. MSP Airport has been voted the Best Airport in America and is revered for its ease of check-in, security, and amenities.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport's land coverage

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as Wold–Chamberlain Field, is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory. The airport is not part of any city but is surrounded by several, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield.

The airport covers 2,930 acres (1,186 hectares) of land and features one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey). 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 located about one mile apart and are accessed from separate exits on Minnesota State Highway 5. There is no direct pedestrian access between the terminals, but travellers can use the 24-hour light rail transit service to move between them.

The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based airlines Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. Delta Air Lines and its regional affiliates account for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. The airport served more than 37 million travellers in 2024, making it the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger traffic. It is also the 12th busiest for aircraft operations.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is managed and operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), a self-funded public corporation established in 1943 by the Minnesota State legislature. The airport is a significant economic generator for the region, contributing an estimated $15.9 billion annually to the Twin Cities' economy and supporting over 87,000 jobs.

Terminals and concourses

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) has two terminals: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey). Terminal 1 has 117 gates across seven concourses, lettered A–G, while Terminal 2 has 14 gates across one concourse, lettered H. International arrivals are processed in Concourse G of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The terminals are located about a mile apart and are accessed from separate exits of Minnesota State Highway 5. There is no pedestrian access between the buildings, and travellers must use the 24-hour light rail transit service to move between terminals.

Terminal 1, designed by Lyle George Landstrom of Cerny Associates, opened in 1962. It has a floor area of 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2) and originally had 24 gates. Terminal 2 was first built in 1986 and then rebuilt in 2001. It is primarily used by charter and low-cost airlines, including Sun Country, Southwest, Condor, Icelandair, and JetBlue.

In 2002, Concourses A and B were opened as part of a $250 million terminal expansion designed by Minneapolis-based Architectural Alliance. This expansion also included a $17.5 million extension of Concourse C, adding six additional gates.

In 2024, MSP Airport served more than 33 million travellers, making it the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger traffic. It is also the country's second-best mega airport, according to a study by J.D. Power, and has received various awards for its safety, fiscal management, labour relations, legal oversight, and snow and ice control, among other categories.

Annual passengers

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is one of the nation's largest and busiest airports. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport is not technically part of any city but is surrounded by Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the suburban cities of Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield.

MSP is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which accounts for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. It is also a base for hometown carrier Sun Country Airlines and is Delta Air Lines' second-largest hub. The airport serves more than 33 million travellers annually, making it the 17th or 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger traffic.

The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), with 117 and 14 gates, respectively. The terminals are located about a mile apart and are accessed from separate exits on Minnesota State Highway 5. Passengers travelling between the two terminals can use the 24-hour light rail transit service, as there is no pedestrian access between the buildings.

MSP has consistently ranked highly in passenger satisfaction surveys, receiving recognition for its ease of check-in, security, and amenities. In 2024, it was voted the "Best Airport in America" by travellers in a J.D. Power survey, scoring 671 out of 1,000 points. The airport has also received awards for safety, fiscal management, labour relations, legal oversight, snow and ice control, concessions, airport design and development, and marketing and communications.

To accommodate the growing passenger demand, MSP has undergone several expansion and renovation projects. In 2023, a $242 million Airport Modernization Program was initiated to unify the design across six of the main terminal's seven concourses. Additionally, a Terminal 2 north expansion project began in 2023, which will add two new airline gates and enhance concession spaces and operational support areas.

Accolades and awards

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) has garnered various accolades and awards over the years, recognising its operational excellence, passenger satisfaction, and economic impact. Here is a detailed overview of its accolades and awards:

Operational Excellence and Passenger Satisfaction:

• Voted "Best Airport in America", MSP Airport stands out for its efficient check-in, robust security measures, and diverse amenities.
• Peter Greenberg recognised MSP as the "5th Most Reliable Large Airport", highlighting its reliability and efficiency in serving over 34 million passengers annually.
• In 2017, the Air Transportation Research Society named MSP the top North American airport for efficiency excellence in its size category, underscoring its smooth operations.
• MSP's retail program was recognised as the best among large North American airports by Airports Council International-North America, offering travellers a wide range of shopping options.
• Skytrax named MSP's staff as the best in North America in 2016, showcasing their commitment to customer service and passenger satisfaction.
• MSP was ranked #2 as the best airport for holiday travel in 2024, making it a preferred choice for travellers during peak seasons.
• MSP Airport ranked #3 in the Top 10 Domestic Airports in 2018, based on reader votes, reflecting overall traveller satisfaction.

Economic Impact and Innovation:

• MSP's economic impact is significant, generating an estimated $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities' economy and supporting over 86,000 jobs, showcasing its role as a vital economic engine for the region.
• MSP is the 18th busiest U.S. airport for passengers and 21st for aircraft operations, contributing to its status as a major transportation hub.
• As a base for Delta Air Lines' second-largest hub and Sun Country Airlines' hometown carrier, MSP plays a pivotal role in the aviation industry.
• The airport's Terminal 1, completed in 1962, was a significant project designed by Lyle George Landstrom of Cerny Associates, showcasing innovative terminal design at the time.
• The airport's Concourse C extension, completed in 2002, added six additional gates and was part of a $250 million terminal expansion, demonstrating MSP's commitment to infrastructure development.

Airport operations

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military public international airport. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport is not part of any city but is surrounded by Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield. It covers 2,930 acres of land and has one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey). The terminals are located about one mile apart and are accessed from separate exits of Minnesota State Highway 5. There is no pedestrian access between the buildings, but travellers can use the 24-hour light rail transit service to move between them.

Terminal 1 contains 117 gates across seven concourses, lettered A–G, while Terminal 2 contains 14 gates across one concourse, lettered H. International arrivals are processed in Concourse G in Terminal 1 and in Terminal 2. Terminal 1 also offers ticketing and bag-check services in the Ticketing Lobby located on Level 2 off the upper roadway, while at Terminal 2, ticketing, boarding pass, and luggage check services are located in the Ticketing Lobby on Level 1.

MSP is the 17th or 18th busiest U.S. airport for passengers, serving more than 33 million travellers annually, and is the 12th busiest for aircraft operations. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which accounts for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic, and serves as the home airport for Sun Country Airlines, a hometown carrier, and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. The airport also serves 165 nonstop markets, including 130 domestic and 35 international markets.

MSP has received numerous awards and accolades, including being voted the "Best Airport in America" and the "5th Most Reliable Large Airport" by Peter Greenberg. It has also been recognised for its safety, fiscal management, labour relations, legal oversight, snow and ice control, concessions, airport design and development, and marketing and communications. The airport's retail program has been recognised as one of the best in North America, and its staff was named the best in North America in 2016.

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