Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Continent: North America

Country: United States

Region: Minnesota

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
Location	Minneapolis, Minnesota
IATA code	MSP
ICAO code	KMSP
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.mspairport.com
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	123.675(Rwy 17/35) 123.95(Rwy 12L/30R) 126.7(Rwys 12R/30L & 04/22)
Ground	121.8(North) 121.9(South) 133.57(Metering)
Clearance	133.2
Approach	118.72(Rwy 35) 119.3(N or E of arrival Rwys & Rwy 17) 126.95(S or W of arrival Rwys & Rwys 04 and 11)
Departure	124.7(S or E of arrival Rwys) 125.75(N or W of arrival Rwys)
ATIS	120.8(Dep) 135.35(Arr)
Departure	122.95

Official Spotting Locations

Concourse D Observation Deck

The observation deck at MSP is located just prior to the Concourse D departure lounge, and is up a flight of stairs marked "Observation Deck", but the stairway and sign are somewhat concealed (it's immediately to your left as you transition from the hallway outside Quizno's to the departure lounge). The deck offers good views of Concourse C, Concourse E, and on Runway 12L/30R, as well as traffic to and from Concourses A, B, and C on the taxiway paralleling Runway 12L/30R. A lens of about 200mm on a 1.6 DSLR should be plenty for just about all operations visible from this location. The observation deck is covered by windows on all sides however.

Post Road Parking Lot

The observation deck which is now marked "Cell Phone Lot" is for those who are not able to get into the terminal. From here you can view 12R/30L operations as well as see planes parked at concourse G. You are also able to see one of the DELTA maintenance hangers. From Highway 5: Take the Post Road exit and follow it west past a Super America gas station. The parking lot is on the left. From I-494/Mall of America: Take the 34th Avenue exit towards the HHH terminal. Go past the terminal and take a right on Post Road. Spotter notes: There is a large blast fence which blocks the right half of the area. This place is fantastic when 30L is in use as you can get a decent shot of every aircraft landing or departing. When 12R is in use generally you will miss all of the landings as they tend to exit to the left off the runway before they come into a good view.

Lindbergh Terminal Parking Ramps

While this option will cost you a few dollars, it gives you a great view of both the 12/30 runways. Drive up to the 8th or 9th floor, and you can walk (or drive) between the different ramps for different views.

Other Spotting Locations

Gate F10

There are a number of gates at MSP that are generally more photo-friendly than most, due to a number of factors (direction the windows face, availability of windows at certain points in relation to the gate, no adjacent gate, etc..), and Gate F10 is one of these. Generally, photography is good earlier in the day, and a standard zoom is more than enough coverage for stuff at the gate, although a long telephoto could be used to shoot ops on Rwy 30L/12R, and also Taxiways A and A7.

• Airliners.net sample photo: medium large

Locations to Avoid

Regular Traffic

• Air Canada Jazz
  • CRJ-200
• AirTran
  • 717-200
  • 737-700
• Alaska Airlines
  • 737-800
• American Airlines/American Connection
  • 737-800
  • MD-80
  • ERJ-135 operated by Chatauqua Airlines
• Continental/ Continental Express
  • ERJ-145 operated by ExpressJet Airlines
  • 737-500
• Delta
  • Airbus A319/A320
  • Airbus A330
  • Boeing 757-200/300
  • Boeing 747-200/400
  • DC 9-30/40/50
  • Embraer 145 operated by Freedom Airlines
  • Embraer 170/175 operated by Compass Airlines, and Shuttle America
  • MD-88
  • MD-90
  • CRJ-200 operated by Pinnacle Airlines, Mesaba Airlines, Comair, and SkyWest Airlines
  • CRJ-700 operated by Comair, SkyWest, and Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA)
  • CRJ-900 operated by Comair, SkyWest, and Mesaba Airlines
  • Saab 340B+ operated by Mesaba Airlines
  • 737-800
  • 767-300
• Frontier
  • A318/319
• Icelandair (seasonal)
  • 757-300
• Midwest Connect
  • CRJ-200 operated by Skywest Airlines
  • E-170 operated by Republic Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
  • 737-700
• Sun Country
  • 737-700/800
• United
  • E-170 operated by Shuttle America
  • Boeing 737-300/500
• US Airways
  • Embraer 170 operated by Republic Airlines
  • Boeing 737-400
  • Airbus A319

Cargo

• ABX Air
  • DC-8
  • 757-200
• Ameriflight
  • Beech 1900
• Bemidji Airlines
  • Beech Queen Air
  • Beech 99
• FedEx
  • DC-10
  • MD-11
  • A300
  • 767-300
  • ATR-42 operated by Mountain Air Cargo
• UPS
  • MD-11
  • DC-8