Holiday travel, winter vacation season on approach at MSP

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) will see another boost in passengers through the final holidays of 2024 and the start of the winter vacation travel season.

MSP expects a 6% year-over-year increase in screened passengers between Dec. 20 and Jan. 6, an 18-day period that extends across the major holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Day. Thursday, Dec. 26, is expected to be the single busiest day with just under 50,000 people clearing security checkpoints. Friday, Dec. 20, is the busiest day ahead of Christmas, with 45,000 people expected to be screened. The holiday travel boost means inbound roadways, parking ramps and terminal lobbies will be very busy at times. The anticipated volume is greater when factoring in connecting and arriving passengers at MSP.

“In the coming weeks, MSP expects to see some high-volume periods of activity as Minnesotans head out on trips to celebrate the holidays with friends and family or begin their winter vacations,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP. “Our teams are ready for the influx of passengers and to provide assistance that makes their trip through MSP easy and welcoming.”

With winter travel demand increasing, airlines have resumed many of MSP’s seasonal flights to warm and sunny destinations to the south. Minnesotans and travelers who connect through MSP have more opportunities than ever to visit Latin America and the Caribbean this winter, with 10% more available seats on departing flights than a year ago. Airlines are offering service to 17 destinations south of the U.S. border, including a new route this year from MSP to Tulum, Mexico, on Delta Air Lines. 

Travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance of a domestic departure or three hours prior to an international departure.

Here are some other helpful tips for those traveling for the holidays and upcoming vacations.  

• New this year, the MAC has opened an alternative pick-up and drop-off area at Terminal 2. The free Terminal 2 Express Lane is accessed through the Purple Ramp, with a covered loading zone on the second level offering quick access to the terminal via a sky bridge. 

• Parking will be in high demand over the next few weeks. Travelers can prebook parking online to guarantee a spot and capture the lowest daily rates. Bookings must be made at least 12 hours prior to scheduled arrival time.

• MSP passengers can reserve a spot in the security line for free through MSP RESERVE, which recently expanded to Terminal 1. Reservation times vary per terminal and availability is limited.

• Travelers in Terminal 1 should check the checkpoint wait-time boards when they enter the ticketing lobby. Passengers can access all gates from either checkpoint, but the North Checkpoint often has shorter wait times.

• During busy times, drivers can go up or down to Terminal 1’s departures or arrivals levels to pick up or drop off passengers.

• MSP’s cell phone lots on Post Road offer drivers a free place to wait until their passenger is ready to be picked up. Drivers should remain parked until their arriving party contacts them by phone before heading to the terminal pick-up zones.      

Get the latest TSA security screening information and tips including identification requirements and regulated items for carry-on and checked baggage.