Lois Larson
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military public international airport serving the Twin Cities in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory and is about 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The airport is also known as Wold–Chamberlain Field and is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest.
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What You'll Learn
Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport's history
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military public international airport that serves the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of both downtown areas.
The airport started in 1919 as Speedway Field when several local groups took control of the former bank. The first hangar was constructed in 1920 for airmail services, and in 1923, the airport was renamed Wold–Chamberlain Field after World War I pilots Ernest Groves Wold and Cyrus Foss Chamberlain. In 1928, the Minneapolis Park Board took possession of Speedway Field, and passenger services began the following year. In 1944, the site was renamed Minneapolis–St. Paul Metropolitan Airport/Wold-Chamberlain Field, with "International" replacing "Metropolitan" in 1948. Today, the airport is rarely referred to by its full name, with the "Wold–Chamberlain Field" portion being especially uncommon.
MSP is the commercial airport hub for the Twin Cities and the surrounding area. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based 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 is also home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations, including the 934th Airlift Wing (934 AW) and the 133d Airlift Wing (133 AW) of the Minnesota Air National Guard. Both units fly the C-130 Hercules.
MSP covers 2,930 acres of land and has two terminals with a total of 131 gates. Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) contains 117 gates across seven concourses, while Terminal 2 (Humphrey) contains 14 gates across one concourse. The two terminals are located about a mile apart and are accessed from separate exits of Minnesota State Highway 5. This arrangement can be confusing for drivers, as there is no direct connection between the terminals within the airport. Metro Transit operates the Blue Line, a light rail route, on the airport grounds, providing a free connection between the two terminals.
MSP is routinely ranked among North America's best and most efficient airports. It was recognised by analytics company Cirium as the world's most punctual international airport in 2023, with high on-time departure and arrival rates. The airport generates an estimated $15.9 billion a year for the Twin Cities' economy and supports 87,000 workers.
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The airport's terminals and gates
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, commonly known as MSP Airport, is the seventeenth busiest airport in the United States. It is a joint civil-military public international airport that serves Minnesota's twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The airport is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, about 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
MSP Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), which are about one mile apart. Terminal 1 is the larger of the two, with 117 gates across seven concourses lettered A to G. It is named after aviator Charles Lindbergh. Terminal 2 has 14 gates across one concourse, lettered H. It is named after former US Vice President Hubert Humphrey. The terminals are not connected within the airport facilities, and travellers must use the METRO Blue Line light rail transit service to travel between them. This service is free for travellers going between the terminals.
Terminal 1 has various public transportation options and offers covered parking, check-in, and bag check services in the Ticketing Lobby on Level 2. Security checkpoints are located on the Ticketing Level, with at least one always open. Passengers can use the MSP RESERVE program to reserve a time at the security checkpoint for free.
Terminal 2 also has multiple public transportation options and covered parking. The ticketing lobby, where passengers can check in, purchase tickets, and obtain boarding passes, is located on Level 1. Security checkpoints are found on Level 2, with at least one open from 4 am to 10 pm. Both checkpoints are closed between 10 pm and 4 am. As with Terminal 1, passengers can use the MSP RESERVE program to reserve a time at the security checkpoint for free.
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The airport's noise mitigation programs
The airport code MSP stands for Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. It is a joint civil-military public international airport serving the Twin Cities in the U.S. state of Minnesota.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) has one of the most comprehensive noise mitigation programs of any airport system in the United States. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has a long history of working with community stakeholders, airport operators, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address aircraft noise concerns.
MAC has been engaging with communities, operators, and the FAA for decades to reduce aircraft noise impacts associated with MSP and its six reliever airports. They have developed and implemented noise abatement procedures for arrivals and departures, and the MSP Noise Mitigation Program provides noise-reducing modifications to qualifying structures near the airport. Since 1992, MAC has mitigated over 15,000 single-family and 3,300 multi-family homes, as well as 19 schools, at a cost of more than $500 million.
MAC also works to keep communities informed and involved. They gather sound levels at 39 sites around MSP, maintain a FlightTracker for the public to view flights in near real-time, hold regular listening sessions for community members to air their concerns, and work with pilots and the FAA to develop strategies to reduce airplane noise. The advisory MSP Noise Oversight Committee (NOC), made up of community and industry representatives, provides another avenue for neighbours to express their concerns.
In addition to these long-term efforts, MAC also shares information about runway closures of 30 minutes or longer, as well as upcoming runway construction. The Fly Neighborly program, which includes Fly Neighborly Guides and Zones, aims to build awareness for the sensitivity to aircraft activity that some neighbours experience.
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The airport's ranking and awards
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, has received numerous accolades and rankings over the years, solidifying its reputation as one of the best airports in North America.
In 2023, MSP was recognised by analytics company Cirium as the world's most punctual international airport, boasting impressive on-time departure and arrival rates of 84.44% and 84.62%, respectively. This ranking was attributed to its recently updated facilities. The airport has two terminals, with a total of 131 gates, and is the commercial airport hub for the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul) and the surrounding area.
MSP has consistently ranked highly in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program, earning the title of Best Airport in North America multiple times. Specifically, MSP won the ASQ award in the 25-40 million passenger category in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This award was based on extensive traveller surveys covering key indicators such as wayfinding, check-in, security, cleanliness, and shopping and dining options.
Additionally, MSP was ranked the No. 1 mega airport in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, achieving the highest customer satisfaction rankings across all seven airport dimensions assessed. The airport's efficient management of passenger flow, ease of navigation, and diverse offerings of shops and restaurants have been commended by travellers and industry groups alike.
MSP is also recognised for its economic impact, generating an estimated $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities' economy and supporting a significant number of jobs. It 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.
Overall, MSP Airport's rankings and awards reflect its commitment to providing exceptional airport experiences, efficient operations, and a positive economic contribution to the region it serves.
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The airport's military operations
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military airport. It is home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations. The airport is also the base for 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 a major hub for Delta Air Lines and serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based 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 MSP airport is also home to the 934th Airlift Wing (934 AW), an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit, and the 133rd Airlift Wing (133 AW) of the Minnesota Air National Guard. Both units fly the C-130 Hercules and are operationally managed by the Air Mobility Command (AMC). The 934 AW consists of over 1,300 military personnel, with approximately 250 full-time Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and Air Reserve Technician (ART) personnel. The 133rd has a similar composition, bringing the total military presence at MSP to over 2,600 full-time and part-time personnel.
The 934 AW is the "host" wing for the installation, providing lodging, an officers' club, a Base Exchange (BX), and other morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities for active, reserve/national guard, and retired military personnel and their families.
MSP is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest and has been recognised for its high-quality facilities and efficient operations. It has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), with a total of 131 gates. The airport is operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which also manages six smaller airports in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
MSP stands for Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
MSP Airport is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul.
MSP Airport is the commercial airport hub for the Twin Cities and the surrounding area. It serves as a joint civil-military public international airport, supporting both the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.
MSP Airport is operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which also manages six smaller "reliever" airports in the region.
MSP Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) with 117 gates, and Terminal 2 (Humphrey) with 14 gates. International arrivals are processed in Concourse G of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
