Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: Difference between revisions

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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 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.


===Post Road Parking Lot===
The observation deck for those who are ''not'' able to get into the terminal can view 30L/12R operations off Post Road.
From Highway 5: Take the Post Road exit and follow it west past a 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 left 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.
==Other Spotting Locations==
==Other Spotting Locations==


===Dog Park ===
===Gate F10===
===Gate F10===


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==Regular Traffic==
==Regular Traffic==
Northwest has the largest presence by far, accounting for 85%+ of the traffic. Generally you will see these Northwest aircraft daily:
*DC-9-30/40/50
*Airbus A319/A320
*Boeing 757-200/300
*DC-10
*CRJ-200/440
*Saab 340


Other frequent visits include:
*American Eagle
**ERJ-145
**MD-80
*United
**CRJ-200/700
**Boeing 737-300/500
*US Airways
**Embraer 170
**Boeing 737-400
**Airbus A319
*Continental
**ERJ-145
**Boeing 737-300
*America West
**Airbus A319/A320
*Sun Country (also hubbed, these tend to be 2nd most frequent)
**Boeing 737-800
*Delta
**CRJ-200
**MD-80
**Boeing 737-800
*Midwest
**717-200
*Frontier
**A318/319
*AirTran
**717-200
*Champion
**727-200
*FedEx
**MD-10/11
**A300
**767
*UPS
**MD-11
**DC-8
*DHL
**DC-8
**757
==Facilities and Transportation==
==Facilities and Transportation==
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