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August 22, 2020Minneapolis-Saint Paul Intl. Airport -Spotting Guide
- last modified on July 15, 2024
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, with almost 40 Mio passengers and 400.000 aircraft movements in 2019, it is one of the busiest airports in the USA (rank 17). The reason for the success is Delta Airlines and its regional partner airlines, who are responsible for the vast majority of the traffic at MSP. Besides Delta, Sun Country use the airport as their hub as well. International carriers are a rare sight and only a handful operateres schedule flights in and out of MSP, like Air France/KLM, both SkyTeam partner of Delta.
The airport is pretty spotter friendly compared to other airports in the USA and offers a nice viewinig area within its boundaries (see spot 1).
Written by Stephen Stein (Follow him on Instagram) and Achim Walther. Last Change: July 2024 (Spot 13 added and 11 updated)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 17/35 | 2,438m / 8,000ft (Concrete) |
| 12L/30R | 2,499m / 8,200ft (Concrete) |
| 12R/30L | 3,048m / 10,000ft (Concrete) |
| 04/22 | 3,354m / 11,006ft (Concrete) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 – Lindbergh | Delta, Delta Connection, Spirit, American, Key Lime Air, Air France, KLM, Alaska, Aer Lingus |
| Terminal 2 – Humphrey | Southwest, Sun Country, Frontier, Condor, IcelandAir, JetBlue |
| Airport Chart |  |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Yes (Viewing Area) |
| Car/Public Transport | Yes, unless you live close and can bike. Public transit can get you close to the terminal spotting locations and the Mall of America spot. |
| Restrooms | Target |
| Drinks/Food | Some fast food is available as well as Target |
| Hotels | Intercontinental Hotel is adjecent to the airport, rest are located by Mall of America |
| Season | Cold bitter Winters. Some Haze with summer months |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | Two parallel runways (30 L/R & 12L/R) used for a majority of the traffic, 4/22 used for heavy flights on calm days, 17/35 used for excess departures when using the 12s |
| 12L/30R | Mostly used for North Terminal 1 arrivals/departures, typically the CRJ’s |
| 12R/30L | Used for South Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrivals/departures, Cargo and Business Jets |
| 04/22 | Seldom used, international flights and heavy cargo on calm days |
| 17/35 | Excess traffic on busy days when 12 L/R are in use, occasional 35 arrivals during 30 L/R use |
MSP Viewing Area - taxiway W and M, 12R movements
| WHERE | This is the one and only official viewing area of the airport which is next to the cargo complex. Take Highway 77 to E 66th Street. E 66th Street turns into Longfellow Ave.Turn on Cargo Road and follow for roughly one mile. Go past Fedex building and follow to road ends to the parking. |
| WHAT | Clear view of aircraft taxiing in Whiskey and Mike. Lots of take-offs and landings for 12R and 30L. Mainly Delta aircraft |
| TIME | Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze in hotter months |
| MISC. | The use of a ladder is needed to have a clear view over the fence and accepted by the authorities. Picnic tables and benches available for sitting/standing (Be courteous – MAC will deter from standing on tables) |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~75-125mm |
Terminal 1 Parking (Blue/Green) - 12L/30R movements, Concourses C & D
| WHERE | Drive to the airport terminal 1 and take Highway 5 to Green Lane. Left lanes enter parking structure. Look for Blue or Green (long-term parking) and drive to 2nd or highest level which provides best vantage. Of course you can walk from the terminal to the garage as well. |
| WHAT | Clear view of Concourse C & D, 12L/30R arrivals and departures, Mainly Delta/Delta Connection |
| TIME | Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze in hotter months |
| MISC. | Parking Costs: $5 for first hour, $3 for each additional hour |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~75mm for taxiing aircraft, ~125mm for runway photos |
Terminal 1 Parking (Red/Yellow) - 12R/30L movements, Concourses C & D
| WHERE | Drive to the airport terminal 1 and take Highway 5 to Green Lane. Left lanes enter parking structure. Look for Red or yellow (short-term parking) and drive to 2nd or highest level which provides best vantage. Of course you can walk from the terminal to the garage as well. |
| WHAT | Clear view of Concourse C & D, 12R/30L arrivals and departures, Delta/International/Cargo/Business Jets |
| TIME | Best in mornings: Fall: 7:30-8:30am Spring: 7-9:30am Summer: 6-10:30am |
| MISC. | Parking Costs: $5 for first hour, $3 for each additional hour |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~75mm for taxiing aircraft, ~125mm for runway photos |
Terminal 2 Parking (Orange) - Concourse H
| WHERE | Take I-494 to 34th Ave S. Follow north to Humprey Drive to terminal 2 and use general parking to enter the parking structure. Drive to the 2nd highest level of the orange parking garage. The top floor is no longer available due to a high fence installation. |
| WHAT | Clear view of Terminal 2: Concourse H (Southwest, Sun Country, Frontier) |
| TIME | Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze in hotter months |
| MISC. | Parking Costs: $5 for first hour, $3 for each additional hour |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~150-220mm for 30L/12R arrivals/depatures, ~100mm for taxiing aircraft |
Terminal 2 Parking (Purple) - Concourse H, 17/35
| WHERE | Take I-494 to 34th Ave S. Follow north to Humprey Drive to terminal 2 and use general parking to enter the parking structure. Drive to the 2nd highest level of the purple parking garage. The top floor is no longer available due to a high fence installation. |
| WHAT | Clear view of Terminal 2: Concourse H (Southwest, Sun Country, Frontier) View of runway 17/35 |
| TIME | Winter: 8:30a-12pm Fall: 8am-12pm Spring: 7am-12:30pm Summer: 5:30am-1pm (haze prominent on hot days) |
| MISC. | Parking Costs: $5 for first hour, $3 for each additional hour. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~100mm for taxiing aircraft, ~175mm for 17 depatures |
Cell Phone Waiting Lot - 12R departures
| WHERE | Take I-494 to 34th Ave S. Pass terminal 2 and follow north to E 70th Street and turn right. Follow till you see signs for Cell Phone Lot to your right. Postion can also be reached from terminal 1, via Northwest Dr and Post Rd. |
| WHAT | 12R departures only. Ground view is blocked by the perimeter fence. |
| TIME | Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze in hotter months |
| MISC. | Cell Phone Waiting Lot – Do not stay very long |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~50-125mm |
Big Rivers Regional Trail - 30 L/R arrivals
| WHERE | On the east side of the airport is a small park where you catch the 30 arrivals. Pass the Minnesota River and Gun Club lake on I-494 to Pilot Knob Road (Exit 71), turn right on Pilot Knob Road, turn left on Mendota Heights Road, cross MN-13 and turn left into the parking lot of the park where you can stay. |
| WHAT | In between 30 R/L for arrivals |
| TIME | 30R – Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm (Some haze possible) 30L – Best in mornings: Fall: 7:30-8:30am Spring: 7-9:30am Summer: 6-10:30am |
| MISC. | Shadow, benches and a Porta-Potty (1) on site. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~100-150mm |
Lost Spur Golf and Event Center - 30L arrivals
| WHERE | Take I-494 to Pilot Knob Road (Exit 71), turn right on Pilot Knob Road, turn left on Mendota Heights Road, turn left on MN-13 and follow for roughly a mile, turn left into the Lost Spur Golf and Event Center parking lot and stay there. During non-peak golf season you can use the driving range parking lot. |
| WHAT | 30L arrivals |
| TIME | Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze in hotter months |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~100-150mm |
Mall of America (East Ramp) - 17 departures, 35 arrivals
| WHERE | Take MN-77 S to Killebrew Drive and the Mall of America. Follow the signs for East Ramp parking and drive to the top level. You can also use the light rail to and from downtown/terminals to the location. |
| WHAT | Best for 35 arrivals. 17 departuers as well but not the best angle. |
| TIME | Winter: 11:30am-5pm Fall: 12:30-6pm Spring: 1-7:30pm Summer: 1-8:30pm |
| MISC. | Sometimes spotter were asked to leave so be prepared that this can happen. This is the biggest shopping mal in the U.S.. Everything you need is inside the mall. Plenty of hotels around as well. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~100-200mm |
Home Depot Parking Lot (North) - 12R arrivals
| WHERE | There are two options where you can catch the 12R arrivals. Both spots are very close to each so you can easily switch around. One is next to the Home Depot and the other one is north of it within the “Taft Park”. Take MN-77 to E 66th Street exit, turn right and turn right at first exit of roundabout (Richfield Parkway), turn right on E 63rd Street and drive all the way up to the northern corner of the Home Deport parking lot or the official Taft Park parking. Now you can stand on the hill by Garden center (better angle) but if its getting to hazy you can go into the public park north of it to get closer. |
| WHAT | 12R arrivals only. |
| TIME | Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze in hotter months |
| MISC. | Target supermarket and restaurants just around the corner. There is a Porta-Potty by the basketball courts. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~75-125mm |
From the home depot parking
From the park
Airport Dog Park 1 - 12R/L arrivals, 30R/L departures, Taxiway W
| WHERE | Take MN-62 to S 28th Ave exit and turn right, follow until you see dog park on righthand side, park on street. There is also a small hill to capture taxiway W. For the 30 departures and 12L arrivals it is better to stand back on the parking lot, for everything else you can go into the park on the hill. |
| WHAT | 12 R/L arrivals & 30 R/L departures. Taxiway W. Line-up on 12R is visible too but very hazy. |
| TIME | 12L – Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm (12R – silhouette photos at sunset) 12R Best in mornings: Fall: 7:30-8:30am Spring: 7-9:30am Summer: 6-10:30am |
| MISC. | Do not turn left or right on E 62nd Street (Airport personel only). Dogs might relieve themselves on your belongings if you’re out for a long period of time. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 12 R/L ~75-125mm |
Minneapolis VOR-DME - 12L arrivals
| WHERE | Take MN-62 to S 28th Ave exit and turn right, turn right onto E 59th Street park on righthand side. |
| WHAT | 12L arrivals |
| TIME | Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze possible |
| MISC. | Residential area – do not stay long |
| FOCAL LENGTH | ~50-100mm |
Spot #13 - Hotel Parking - 35 arrivals
| WHERE | You can spot from the parking lots of the Hampton Inn Suites or SpringHill Suites Minneapolis (or along the American Blvd E and Metro Dr south of the two hotels). The position is the addition to #9 American Mall. Best in the morning hours with sun in back. To get there follow the directions the Mall of America, drive north and turn left in American Blvd East. The Metro Drive is the first street on the left. Walking distance to the mall is approx. 1 Mile (= 20min time). |
| WHAT | 35 arrivals only |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon all year round. |
| MISC. | It could be difficult to find a parking position if you aren’t a guest of one of the hotels but we had no problems. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-250mm United A320 = 160mm; DHL 767 = 180mm |
how high is the ladder needed for the MSP Viewing Area?
For Spot 4, there is a fence in the way on the top level. I don’t know if this is new or not but it completely obstructs the view.
Not sure if this is new or nut. Maybe if you use a floor below the top level there is no fence and the view is unobstructed? Can you check that?
-Julian
Depends on the level. Level 8 has no fencing
A few updates to suggest:
United wasn’t listed as one of the airlines that flies into Terminal 1.
Aer Lingus has suspended service – doesn’t look like it’ll resume.
It appears Allegiant will also have scheduled service to MSP.
https://www.allegiantair.com/airports/minneapolis-st-paul-international-airport
to bad
Hi,
As i don’t drive, is there an indoor viewing deck at MSP? If so is it Land side or Air side?
Yes, there are indoor viewing areas at MSP. They’re all airside (past the TSA checkpoints).
i don’t know?