MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL AIRPORT review : 7 July 2008 : by Emmet Ferwerda

Customer Rating : 4/5

This has been my home airport for several years. Downsides: size (I suggest at least 60 minutes between flights), price (Northwest's fault, not the airport), lack of airside transportation between terminals, and not enough shops/food landside. Also, the baggage claims are old and can easily back up (I heard recently that they will be replaced in the near future). Now for the good parts. Plenty of diverse, reasonably priced shopping and food airside and clear signage throughout. The Customs/Immigration staff, while not overly friendly, were very professional and reasonably quick. Also, I have never seen security or (Northwest) bag check lines longer than 10-15 minutes). There is an easy, fast light-rail connection to/from downtown Minneapolis. There is also a separate underground tram from the parking ramps to the terminal, eliminating the need to carry your bags outside. The entire facility is clean and well-lit. For those with a 2-3 hour layover, there is a little-known observation tower in Concourse D (go to the block in the center of the concourse and all the way up the stairs) which is usually uncrowded and a very nice place to relax. Overall, it can be large and expensive but it is otherwise redeemed by atmosphere and ease of use.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by K Wild

5 July 2008  Customer Rating :

I had a connection flight through MSP to Mason City, IA, a city served with only three daily flights. Even though I had arrived some 15 minutes late inbound from Newark, I still assumed I had enough time to make my connection flight. That was until MSP came into play. I had originally had approximately 45 minutes to connect flights, and even with the 15 minute inbound delay, it still left me (and my older aunt who was traveling with me) 30 minutes to go from one gate to the other. I took off in a rather fast-pace walking from one gate to another, following the overhead signs to my connection terminal. Following the directional signs, it took me nearly 20 minutes to walk between my two gates, mind you, walking at the pace of a 20-some year old, sprinting at times, once I kept looking at my watch. In the end, I arrived at my connection-departure gate 5 minutes prior to departure, the departure door had already been closed, and I missed my connection flight. In a nutshell, MSP is a much, much too spread out airport, which makes a connection of less than 90 minutes nearly impossible. As a result of this, I will never be booking a flight that offers a connection though MSP again. I will happily pay extra to avoid this airport.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Beverley Pedersen

16 April 2008  Customer Rating :

A clean and friendly airport with lots of shops for all your needs and plenty of seating area. Plenty of nearby gates, for eating while you hang around. There is a family room here too for resting up where there are children travelling. If they had seating without arms that you could lay out on as they do at Gatwick, they would warrant a 5 star. Distances between gates sometimes are extensive but there are carts floating around for your help too.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by L Hurst

25 February 2008  Customer Rating :

After disembarking from my NWA flight, it was so easy to find my way to the tram that would take me to my next terminal. Even though I had a 3 hour stop over, I felt that there was plenty to keep me entertained, especially when my flight to LAX was delayed 45 minutes. The shops were different and had variety - when I stopped in at a convenience store to get a magazine and a Coke, lady at the checkout was personable and keen to converse beyond how much my purchases came to. The gate lounge was clean and seats were confortable. One thing that struck me as particularly odd though was the amount of dogs that were allowed to walk around on a lead with their owners. Never seen that before at an airport!

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by L Visser

17 February 2008  Customer Rating :

I have traveled internationally for many years. This year was the first time in the US that we were treated very rudely by Customs at the MSP Airport. They were not at all kind or respectful and treated us as if were trying to be dishonest on our declarations. I have never been so frustrated as I was by them.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Sue Dahl

12 November 2007  Customer Rating :

I have used Lindbergh terminal for several years and have always been impressed with it's ease of use and the shopping - I usually have a 7 hour layover and find plenty to do during that time. My last trip was less than memorable as I was flying Northwest from Minot ND to Minneapolis and Icelandair from Minneapolis to Glasgow. This time Icelandair had moved to Humphry terminal so I had to transfer from one terminal to the other. My impression is that Lindbergh and Humphry terminals have an ongoing war of some kind and really don't give a damn about their customers. There is no transfer for baggage so I had to drag my bags with me - on the outward journey I had to take a bus from just outside Lindbergh to just outside Humphry (signs and directions were practically non existant). On the return journey I found that after already traveling for 16 hours I had to drag my bags through the entire parking garage to reach the mass transit train, this took me about 20 minutes. I am a person who is not easily scared by anything, but I have never felt so unsafe walking through the parking garage on my own at 7:00 pm - no airport staff or security anywhere in sight, I really wondered where on earth I was going and if I was going in the right direction. Once I got on the train (absolutely exhausted) I found that there were a couple of young men about 20 feet away from me starting a fight! What a wonderful impression this gives to any travellers coming to this country for the first time. Unfortunately I have very few choices of transport between North Dakota and Scotland and will probably have to take the same route again (I usually make two trips a year). Minneapolis needs to have a dedicated means of transport for airline passengers between the two terminals and more security. I would add that I am 64 years old and in reasonable shape, when I finally reached Lindbergh terminal I was absolutely exhausted, frustrated and upset by the whole experience, I still had another 7 hours travel time before I would be home. I am writing letters to everyone I can think of regarding this incident, I would encourage anyone else who has had the same experience to do the same.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by S De Penning

17 October 2007  Customer Rating :

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport seems optimum in the sense that it is large enough to offer passengers multiple shopping and dining venues and yet it still maintains a very clean and modern environment despite its size - something I have to appreciate after having been to more rustic monstrosities such as Chicago O'Hare. It is true that Northwest Airlines dominates the airport and its passengers may have to walk long distances to and from its many dispersed concourses, but this actually seems to translate into an advantage for passengers flying other airlines because most of them seem to have their operations concentrated on one concourse that is quite close to check-in, baggage claim, and the Northstar Crossing dining/shopping. So, if you are traveling say American, Continental, Delta, etc. you may not even realize the immense size of the airport because you are not likely to contend with it. My one complaint about MSP is that there are very few shops and restaurants open during the early hours of the morning, which is an inconvenience for persons such as myself who normally arrive at the terminal quite early for flights departing at 6 or 7 a.m. with international connections and would like to eat or shop before boarding. However, in all fairness I doubt that many airports have much to offer at that hour.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Jane Tuckett

27 September 2007  Customer Rating :

There is a good mix of shops and eating places but most important of all the signeage is clear.We were coming in from Europe and needing to catch another flight connection after clearing customs. I was SO pleased that after we'd done that there was a sign indicating where the luggage needed to go for onward flights. Last year we went through Dulles and we hadn't a clue where the bags had to go and the staff didn't help. One sign at MSP saved an awful lot of upset and resulting delayed baggage that we had at Dulles. Give me MSP anyday.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Jim Wood

15 August 2007  Customer Rating :

I use MSP 5-6 times a year and find it "serviceable". Its too big and distances between connections can be long and tiring, even with the escalators and trams. Food tends to be mediocre and expensive and in general I find the whole MSP experience dispiriting. One good thing: the NWA lounges are top- notch or very close to it. Also you can pay a daily fee and get in. Very worthwhile if you have a 5-6 hour (or more) layover. International arrival there is OK, no long delays but customs takes themselves very seriously and seems to operate on the premise if they're not inspecting someone's bags they're not doing their jobs. You can get to the Mall of America pretty easily if you do find yourself with a 6 hour layover. At least you could before I-45 collapsed.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Robert Dunford

6 June 2007  Customer Rating :

One of the nicest US airports I've visited, which made an enforced further 24 hour stay that much more bearable. Nicely spaced out, nothing is too far away, and even getting to/from Downtown Minneapolis and the MoA is a lot easier than (say) Heathrow. If you fly NW and use hotel drop-off, the self check-in where you're dropped off makes things less hassle. Only minor quibble was that if you have a lot of people queuing up for a non NW flight (in my case UAL) it gets crowded. But then it was the time when my own flight got delayed so it was probably a bad day.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Reed Thayer

23 August 2006   Customer Rating : n/a

The layout at MSP is excellent. The walk is never too long, and you don't need to leave security to change concourses, unlike SFO, LAX, etc. Also, all the check-in counters are in the same hall which is great if different people in your group are flying different airlines and you want to say goodbye. Short security lines due to multiple multi lane checkpoints. On-site rental car and parking makes travel into town easy.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Rob Arthur
3 August 2006

Just transferred twice through MSP on NW a few weeks ago. I liked the airport a lot, but it fails in comparison to DTW. The Lindbergh Terminal is quite a hike, especially if you are coming in on Northwest Airlink. The G and C terminals are very long, but there is a walkway where you can transfer from one side to the other. I really enjoyed the observation deck at the D concourse, and the view was excellent. The C concourse tram is very helpful, especially for the elderly. Waiting areas tend to be crowded in the C concourse, but D, E, F, and G were just fine. Great restaurants, also. All and all, I was quite happy with MSP. Expect a bit of a walk, and familiarize yourself with the terminal layout in the NW magazine. If you do that, you should be just fine.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by D Larkin
23 August 2005

At first glance, you may wonder why MSP received the award for best North American Airport. Let's face it, the terminals aren't brand new like DEN or SAN, and nobody likes paying high air fares because of its n torious fortress status. However, there are many factors that make MSP stand out, like the quick and easy immigration/customs area, tram to Concourse C, excellent restaurant choices (try the Itasca Grill), and its close proximity to the downtown area. I think the terminal dedicated to low cost carriers (Humphrey terminal) is a great aspect of MSP - it's cozy and a breeze to get through, and you don't have to wade through the thousands of connecting passengers on NWA to get to your gate. The Lindbergh terminal (main terminal) has a nice, clean shopping area in the middle with an even cleaner food court, but the concourses themselves are dotted with decent restaurants as well. The layout makes sense, and you never have to walk very far unless you're at the very end of a concourse or you forget to take the tram. There's also train service to the Mall of America (currently the biggest mall in the US, great for a long layover) and the downtown area. The airport could use a facelift, as some of the ceilings are a bit low and the baggage area is becoming slightly dilapidated. It would be a blessing if Southwest came here - it would drive down some of the high fares associated with the Northwest monopoly, but I suppose every fortress airport could use some Southwest relief.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by E Olson
9 August 2005

I have always liked connecting though MSP. I agree with people when they say that if you're coming in on an RJ or Prop that you had better wear hiking shoes, but the abundance of moving walkways is definately a plus. Anyway, the airport has always been clean and the staff has the friendly "Midwest Hospitality" feel about them. Being from Wisconsin myself, it was mostly overlooked outbound and only noticed on my way back home after missing this while at my destination.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Jack Yan
25 July 2005

Décor is a very staid; it didn't feel like the most modern of airports. Unlike Mr Kuhlmann, I did not find much trouble navigating from Humphrey to the Hertz pick-up, but I was disappointed at the distance I still had to walk, especially as I had an extraordinary amount of luggage. However, I was impressed with the friendliness of all staff, especially at United.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Alex Rodich

29 June 2005

To answer the question about the trams with no people, they were undergoing testing, and before certification for use, they had to run 30 days without needing matinence. I personally have ridden them since then, and they are without any staff aboard. Also, much less known to travelers here is the Humphrey terminal which has been built in the last five years. This terminal features six gates, none of which are / can be owned by any single airline. Also, the new light-rail system is a plus for travelers who have a layover, because not only does it connect to the mall of america, but the MOA terminal is within walking distance of a new indoor waterpark, once construction has finished, this waterpark will be the largest indoor waterpartk in the US.  

Minneapolis St Paul Airport by Julie Clark

31 January 2005

Overall I like MSP, yes it is a pain to get to some concourses but it is an older airport. My question is why have the train (light rail) connecting Minneapolis, Fort Snelling, the airport and the Mall of America if I cannot park at any of those locations and ride the train to the airport without getting my car towed? Maybe a few people like to go to the Mall, but I doubt many fly into MSP and ride the train elsewhere without additional transportation. Seems like a huge waste to me.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by David Johnson

9 September 2004

MSP Airport is truly a modern airport and one of the best to visit. However, this is not an airport that is favorable to those who seek low fares or affordable travel. Northwest strives and vigilently fights to keep the airfares at this airport excessively high. The competition is uneager to fight high fares (even the low fare airlines that serve this airport). Without new airlines (Southwest, or the like), this airport is only going to be affordable to those business travelers. Also, why does the connection train at the airport operates but has nobody riding it? This would make the airport less of a pain to walk through and provide relief to those that have to navigate the long journey to concourse B. The airport has severe problems that need to be corrected sometime in the near future, however the amenities at this airport are some of the best.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by Joe Emling

30 August 2004

MSP is generally a great airport as either a destination or a connecting spot. It's too bad that it's a fortress hub for Northwest and flying there costs an arm and a leg. I like the availability of shops and the generally well-lighted interior. There are lots of pleasant distractions for long layovers. And the barber shop is great - if you know where to find it! My one complaint about MSP, however, is the sheer enormity of it, made worse by the lack of speedier ways to get around. The airport needs a functioning tram system to zip around the concourses (apparently, there is a tram that goes from the A-B gates to the D gates, but it has never worked). Connecting from a NW commuter flight in the A concourse to a flight out of the F concourse is nearly impossible without at least 30 minutes of breathless scurrying along moving sidewalks and muscling through flight-bank throngs. This is the one thing that keeps MSP from being a truly world-class airport.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by C Kwok

21 June 2004

St. Pauls airport gives me a feeling that I'm at a enormous airport. Allhough it's quite easy to navigate, it's clean and friendly staff. For aviation fanatics, there's a nice small "room" where you have a nice overview of the platform, full with Northwest aircrafts. As a KLM platinum card holder we share the lounge with partner Northwest. The lounge was quite crowded compared the size of the lounge. I prefer more spacious lounges with less noise. The service and drinks are ok and there's also a small separated area for smokers, which I did appreciate.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by Alan Chick

4 December 2003

I found MSP to be a bright clean airport with good shopping facilities airside. The check in area is also very good with great overhead signage. My only complaint with the airport is that if you are not flying Northwest then the information screens for other airlines are almost non existent making you feel slightly unwanted. The foot of snow which fell while I was in Minneapolis had no adverse effect on the operations.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by Tracy Konter

25 October 2003

I recently had to fly on a business and was a nursing Mom. I emailed the airport and was given the help of another nursing Mom. She gave me all kinds of helpful information and tips. The airport has a Family room for nursing moms and even have emergency supplies for families with infants. They even have small rooms to rent for a small fee for half an hour for more privacy.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by Li Ping

22 August 2003

Have been using this airport as my home airport for some years now. Overall, an easy airport to use with efficient parking layout, not overly exorbitant fees and good long term parking. The airport itself is quite large and designed in such a way that if you're unlucky and are flying on Northwest, you'll be departing from the extreme end of the airport, meaning it'll take you around 10-15minutes to actually walk there. Shops within the departure lounges are decent. Lots of food choices. Signs are not overly noticable, which is a bother if you're new to the airport. One gripe is that again, landside facilities are non-existent. Something which seems quite common in lots of US airports.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by Richard Ehrlich

22 August 2003

Visited the airport twice recently and overall the experiences were favorable. My only complaint is that one of the food service outlets at the airport enforces a policy that at best can be described as moronic. More specifically, in order to be served an alcoholic beverage, all customers of the Itasca Restaurant must show an ID. I am 60 years old, and I am sure it has been decades since someone mistook me for someone under 21. What a colossal waste of time. Instead of figuring out to properly run a restaurant that holds a liquor licence, the people who run Itasca have chosen to inconvenience the majority of their customs and make their employees look like fools as they pretend to check the IDs of grey beards like myself.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by D Nierenberg

4 August 2003

This place is huge! Beware if you're connecting to Northwest Airlink, it takes a very long time to get to your gate. But, that said, it's a great place to connect through. The layout is straightforward, immense banks of flight monitors (a necessity given the number of flights Northwest has there) are everywhere, and the shops and restaurants are better than anywhere I have been. Just beware of tight connections - you'll be tempted to stop at the shops as you sprint by.

Minneapolis St Paul Airport  by Ron Kuhlmann

28 July 2003

I have become a more frequent visitor to MSP and think the airport has many attributes to commend it. The car rental area and its access is well designed and works. However, two items, encountered on a recent trip that utilized the Humphrey terminal, need correction. Signage is poor. As a frequent traveler, I read signs and maps to navigate new terrain and yet ended up in the wrong place three times in the journey from car return to gate. Signage was vague, arrows were open to interpretation and the experience could have been much better. Second, the charges for carry-on food were preposterous. A very ordinary ham sandwich and chips cost over $8. What happened to the idea that airport prices were to reflect prices elsewhere in the community? In future, I will stop prior to the airport and not reward those who gouge.




 

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