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
Terminal 1 Concourse D Observation Deck (Ticketed Passengers Only)
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 McDonald's to the departure lounge). The deck offers good views of Concourse C, D & E and on Runway 12L/30R, as well as traffic to and from Concourses A, B, C, D and E 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. Chairs go around most of the observation deck.
New Cargo Road Spotting Lot (Free)
The airport's newest viewing area is next to the FedEx shipping center on the airfield near the intersection of runways 12R/30L and 4/22. It has parking, picnic tables, benches and trees that will eventually provide shade. Open every day from dawn to dusk, the free viewing area is now the closest option for aircraft spotting. From MN77 take the 66th Street exit and then take Longfellow Avenue to the south to Cargo Road. Turn left on Cargo road and take it all the way to the end, just past the FedEx shipping center.
Other Spotting Locations
Terminal 1 Parking Ramps ($$$)
This location gives you a great view of both the 12/30 runways and runway 4/22 as well. Drive up to the 8th or 9th floor, and you can walk (or drive) between the different ramps for different views.
Terminal 2 Parking Ramps ($$$)
This location gives you a pretty good view of most of the airfield. Terminal 2 gates, runways 17/35, 4/22, 12L/35R and the cargo area.
Post Road Cell Phone Lot (Free)
The observation lot which is 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 F & 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 Terminal 2. 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.
Fort Snelling National Cemetery (Free)
Enter cemetery off of 34th Ave South. There are a few entrances/exits. Spotting location is on the north side of the cemetery above the "Post Road Cell Phone Lot". All of the views are the same as the cell phone lot but with a very slight higher vantage point. Some trees could get in the way of viewing. Please be respectful in this area. If asked to leave please do so.
Dog Park (Free)
This location is on the NW side of the airport just west of 28th Ave S and south of Hwy 62. At this location you can view departures or arrivals on runways 17/35, 12L/30R and 12R/30L. Many planes taxi in this area. You can see Terminals 1 & 2 but the are in the distance. Plenty of parking and wide open space for spotting.
Mall Of America East Parking Ramp (Free)
Located south of I-494 and east of 24th Ave South. Go to the top floor of the eastside parking ramp. You will get arrivals and departures of runway 17/35. Also a descent view of the Delta maintenance hangars. Mall security might ask you to leave if not using the mall.
Locations to Avoid
Cargo Road/Longfellow Ave
Westside of the airport. Airport police will ask you to leave. (This does not include the Cargo Rd Spotting Lot).
Fort Snelling Old Barracks
Northeast side of the airport at the end of Taylor Rd or Bloomington Rd. Military police will ask you to leave...fast!
Spotting Locations Map
Regular Traffic
Commercial Airlines & Plane Type
- Air Canada Express (usually operated by Jazz Air)
- CRJ-200
- CRJ-700
- CRJ-900
- Air France (seasonal)
- A340-300 (soon to be phased out, likely to be replaced by Boeing 777)
- Alaska Airlines
- 737-800
- 737-900
- Embraer 175 (operated by SkyWest)
- American Airlines/American Eagle
- A319
- A320
- A321
- 737-800
- ERJ-135
- MD-80
- Condor Airlines (seasonal)
- 767-300
- Delta Air Lines/Delta Connection
- A319
- A320
- A330-200
- A330-300
- 717-200
- 737-800
- 737-900
- 747-400 (Charters only, will be phased out by 2017)
- 757-200
- 757-300
- 767-300
- 767-400
- CRJ-200
- CRJ-700
- CRJ-900
- Embraer 145
- Embraer 170
- Embraer 175
- MD-88
- MD-90
- Frontier Airlines
- A319
- A320
- Great Lakes Airlines
- Beech 1900
- Icelandair
- 757-200
- 767-300
- Southwest Airlines
- 737-300
- 737-700
- 737-800
- Spirit Airlines
- A319
- A320
- Sun Country Airlines
- 737-700
- 737-800
- United Airlines/United Express
- A320
- 737-700
- 737-800
- 737-900
- CRJ-700 (often operated by GoJet and Mesa "Air Shuttle")
- Embraer 170 (operated by SkyWest/Mesa "Air Shuttle")
Cargo Airlines & Plane Type
- Atlas Air (Seasonal, Christmas)
- 747-400F
- 747-8F
- Bemidji Airlines
- BE65 Queen Air
- BE80 Queen Air
- BE99
- SW4
- CSA Air Cargo
- Cessna Caravan
- DHL (often operated by Atlas Air)
- 767-200
- Encore Air Cargo
- SW4
- FedEx Express
- A300-600
- 767-300
- DC-10
- MD-11
- IFL Group Air Cargo
- Falcon 20
- FedEx Feeder (operated by Mountain Air Cargo)
- ATR-42
- Suburban Air Freight
- B1900
- UPS Airlines
- A300-600
- 757-200
- MD-11
- DC-10
Military Plane Types
- C-5 Galaxy (rare)
- C-130 Hercules
- RAF and USAF C-17 Globemasters (rare)
- KC-10 Refuelers
Facilities
- Runway 4/22: 11,006 × 150 ft. (3,354 × 46 m), Condition: Good, Surface: Concrete
- Runway 12R/30L: 10,000 × 200 ft. (3,048 × 61 m), Condition: Excellent, Surface: Concrete
- Runway 12L/30R: 8,200 × 150 ft. (2,499 × 46 m), Condition: Good, Surface: Concrete
- Runway 17/35: 8,000 × 150 ft. (2,438 × 46 m), Condition: Excellent, Surface: Concrete