Minneapolis-Saint Paul Intl. Airport -Spotting Guide
Published byJulianat
- last modified on August 19, 2020
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).
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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
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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)
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
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 or highest level of the orange parking garage.
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
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 or highest level of the purple parking garage.
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
Ft. Snelling Cemetery - 12R/30L movements, signature ramp
WHERE
The spot is on the north side at the Ft. Snelling Cemetery. Take I-494 to 34th Ave S and follow north to Humprey Drive. Use the main entrance Labelle Drive, follow Labelle Drive to back and turn on John Page Drive. The postion is directly above the cell phone parking lot (#7). You are on an elevated and can easily clear the fence.
WHAT
12R/30L departures and arrivals, Clear view of Terminal 1: Concourse F & G (hazy on hot days), Clear view of Signature.
TIME
Winter: 8am-4pm Fall: 10am-6pm Spring: 10:30am-7:30pm Summer: 12-8pm Some haze in hotter months
MISC.
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL, Do not stay longer than 20-30 minutes. Get your photos and leave.
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
We can`t provide from this location. Please don`t hesitate to contact us if you do so.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 (can also park on Cedar Ave S) and drive all the way up to the northern corner of the Home Deport parking lot. Stand on the hill by Garden center or park on Cedar Ave S by Adogo Pet Hotel few meters north of it.
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.
Airport Dog Park 1 - 12R/L arrivals, 30R/L departures
WHERE
Take MN-62 to S 28th Ave exit and turn right, follow until you see dog park on righthand side, park on street.
WHAT
12 R/L arrivals & 30 R/L departures
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.
1 Comment
Hi,
As i don’t drive, is there an indoor viewing deck at MSP? If so is it Land side or Air side?