Jazmin Li
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP, is one of the largest airports in the United States. Located in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, the airport is nestled among several cities, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and Richfield. With two terminal buildings, four runways, and 131 gates, MSP covers 2,930 acres of land and is a major hub for airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines. In 2024, MSP served over 37 million travellers, ranking as the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger traffic. The airport has received numerous accolades, including top honours for passenger satisfaction among mega airports and being named the best airport in North America by several travellers.
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What You'll Learn
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is one of the nation's largest airports
- The airport covers 2,930 acres of land
- It is the 18th busiest US airport for passengers
- It is home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations
- The airport is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is one of the nation's largest airports
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is one of the nation's largest airports. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport covers 2,930 acres of land and is not part of any city, although it 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 also serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based airlines Sun Country Airlines, the second-largest carrier using the airport, and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), with a total of 131 gates. Terminal 1 contains 117 gates across seven concourses, while Terminal 2 contains 14 gates across one concourse. The terminals are located about a mile apart and are not connected within the airport facilities, requiring travellers to use a light rail transit service to transfer between them.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, ranking 18th for passenger traffic and 21st for aircraft operations. In 2024, the airport served more than 37 million travellers, including more than 33 million annual passengers in 2024, according to the J.D. Power survey. The airport also handles a significant amount of cargo operations, with various air cargo operators utilising the facility.
The airport is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which also manages six smaller general aviation airports in the region. MAC was established in 1943 to provide coordinated aviation services to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. MSP is a key economic generator for the region, contributing an estimated $15.9 billion annually to the local economy and supporting over 86,900 jobs.
The airport has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named the best airport in North America by Skytrax in 2016 and ranking first in passenger satisfaction among the nation's largest airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North American Airport Satisfaction Study. MSP has also been praised for its efficient operations, modern design, and convenient layout, contributing to a positive travel experience for its passengers.
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The airport covers 2,930 acres of land
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, is a large airport that covers 2,930 acres of land. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory and is surrounded by the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), with a total of 131 gates and four runways. It is one of the nation's largest and busiest airports, serving more than 33 million passengers annually and ranking as the 18th busiest airport in North America.
The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based airlines Sun Country Airlines, Endeavor Air, and Southwest. It also hosts commercial flights from major American and international airlines, as well as military operations for the United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard. The airport is operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which also manages six smaller reliever airports in the region.
MSP Airport has been recognised for its excellence, ranking first in the "mega" category by J.D. Power in 2024 for passenger satisfaction among large airports. It has also been praised for its efficient design, high-quality services, and convenient location, which is within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. The airport plays a significant role in the local economy, generating an estimated $15.9 billion annually and supporting over 86,900 jobs.
The airport's two terminals offer a range of facilities and amenities for passengers, including retail and dining options. Terminal 1, which opened in 1962, has recently undergone a $242 million modernisation programme to unify its design and enhance the passenger experience. Terminal 2, which is primarily used by charter and low-cost airlines, has also seen expansions and improvements over the years, including a recent north expansion project to add additional gates and improve concessions and operational support areas.
In summary, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is a significant transportation hub covering a substantial land area. It boasts a large number of gates and runways, handles a high volume of passenger traffic, and contributes considerably to the local economy. With its efficient operations, convenient location, and ongoing improvements, MSP Airport stands out as one of the nation's leading airports.
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It is the 18th busiest US airport for passengers
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP, is the 18th busiest airport in the US for passengers. 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 is not part of any city, although it is bordered by the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, 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. The airport also serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based airlines Sun Country Airlines, the second-largest carrier using MSP as a base, and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. In total, 18 airlines fly from MSP to 203 airports around the world, offering scheduled passenger traffic to 165 destinations.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, MSP saw more than 400,000 landings and takeoffs each year, serving over 37 million travellers in 2019. The airport is also used by several US Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations, as well as a variety of air cargo operators.
MSP has two terminals with a total of 131 gates. Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) has 117 gates across seven concourses, while Terminal 2 (Humphrey) has 14 gates across one concourse. The terminals are located about a mile apart and are accessed from separate exits on Minnesota State Highway 5. A light rail transit service, provided by Metro Transit, connects the two terminals and travels to downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America in Bloomington.
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It is home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is a joint civil-military airport. It is home to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Joint Air Reserve Station, which supports both the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard. The airport is also the headquarters of the Minnesota Air National Guard.
The Minnesota Air National Guard (MN ANG) is the aerial militia of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and an element of the Minnesota National Guard, which is part of the larger United States National Guard Bureau. The Minnesota Air National Guard is not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. Instead, it is under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Minnesota through the office of the Minnesota Adjutant General. However, if federalized by order of the President of the United States, it falls under the regular military chain of command.
The Minnesota Air National Guard has various units, including the 133rd Airlift Wing and the 148th Fighter Wing. The 133rd Airlift Wing is an air transport organization that flies C-130H Hercules tactical airlifters. It conducts air-drop training and transport missions. The 148th Fighter Wing provides air defence over the northern Great Lakes and the state of Minnesota.
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is also home to the United States Air Force Reserve's 934th Airlift Wing (934 AW), also known as the "Flying Vikings". The 934 AW functions as the "host wing" for the installation and employs more than 1,300 Reservists. The unit operates the C-130 Hercules aircraft.
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The airport is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP, is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory. This airport is one of the nation's largest and is a key airline hub. It is a joint civil-military public international airport that serves the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Fort Snelling is an unorganized territory of Hennepin County in Minnesota. It is named after the historic Fort Snelling, which is located within its boundaries. The territory includes Coldwater Spring Park, Fort Snelling National Cemetery, and parts of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The airport itself includes most of the land area of the unorganized territory.
The history of the Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory dates back to the early 19th century when it was part of the Louisiana Purchase and included in the Missouri Territory. As Missouri became a state in 1821, the remaining land became an unorganized territory, which included Minnesota west of the Mississippi River. Fort Snelling was later included in the Wisconsin Territory until Wisconsin gained statehood in 1848, leading to the formation of the Minnesota Territory in 1849.
The Fort Snelling Military Reservation has never been organised by Congress and remains an unorganized territory to this day. The airport, however, is centrally located within 10 miles (16 kilometres) of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. It is easily accessible and well-connected to the surrounding areas.
MSP is a bustling airport with two terminals and 131 gates in total. Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) has 117 gates across seven concourses, while Terminal 2 (Humphrey) has 14 gates across one concourse. The terminals are located about a mile apart and are accessed from separate exits on Minnesota State Highway 5. The airport is managed and operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which also oversees six other smaller airports in the region.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is a significant economic driver, generating an impressive $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities' economy and supporting a vast number of jobs. It serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines and several other airlines, including Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air. The airport has received numerous awards for its excellence in various categories, including safety, fiscal management, and airport design.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is one of the nation's largest airports. It covers 2,930 acres of land and is the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of the number of passengers served annually.
MSP has two terminals with a total of 131 gates. Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) contains 117 gates across seven concourses, and Terminal 2 (Humphrey) contains 14 gates across one concourse.
Terminal 1 is much larger than Terminal 2, with 24 gates opening in 1962 and an additional 6 gates added in 2002. Terminal 2 was rebuilt in 2001 and is mostly used for charter and low-cost airlines. The terminals are not connected within the airport facilities, so travellers who need to transfer must use the light rail transit service.
MSP has been ranked the best airport in North America by Skytrax in 2016 and by J.D. Power in 2024. It has also been praised for its efficiency, design, and staff. However, some travellers have noted that the arrangement of the two terminals can be confusing for drivers.
