MAC Facts: MSP Terminal Updates

Traveling this holiday season? For neighbors that have not traveled through their home airport in the Twin Cities in a few months, the journey that passengers take while at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has been improved in several ways.

As travelers first arrive to the airport, they will likely be struck by a new addition on the roadway. MSP completed the new Silver Ramp parking facility, which houses a rental car center, transit station and Minnesota’s tallest escalator, in addition to 5,000 parking spaces. Sustainability measures are incorporated throughout the new facility and the structure is designed to accommodate a possible future solar installation that would expand MSP’s existing solar generation capacity. Additionally, in 2020, due to reduced road traffic, a project to rebuild the inbound roadway into Terminal 1, using concrete instead of asphalt, was expedited. That project was coordinated along with the State’s Highway 5 improvement project completed at the same time. 

Terminal Improvements

Once inside the building, our guests will notice several striking improvements to Terminal 1. To meet the needs of air travelers and to also allow for future increases in passenger, remodeling of ticketing (departures) and baggage claim (arrivals) levels at this terminal began in 2015 and will continue through 2024. The terminal has been expanded fifteen feet toward the roadway, allowing more room for social distancing in the ticketing and baggage claim areas. In the past year, a new core of elevators and escalators was opened in the center of the terminal that allows people to move efficiently between all levels. On the arrival levels, four new baggage carousels have been put in place and existing carousels will continue to be replaced. New restrooms, seating and improved lighting are also elevating the arrival experience in the baggage claim area of Terminal 1. More information is available at Reimagining Your Front Door Experience. 

If your journey takes you through Concourse G, it is likely that you will note the major improvements to this space. Work is expected to be completed in early 2022 and include an expanded walking corridor, more comfortable and spacious gate seating, new restrooms, and improved concession spaces. The G concourse expansion project is roughly the area of G-17 to G-22, near the G- C connector skyway bridge. The gate area is being extended over the ramp and the new interior will feature a rotunda. Space is being added for a future Delta Skyclub. More information is available at Concourse G Improvements. 

COVID-19 Considerations

If you haven’t flown in a while and are wondering what the airport experience is like in the COVID-19 era, you can find resources to help you plan your visit here. MSP has enacted a comprehensive safety program – you’ll find details online about our Travel Confidently program. This robust cleaning program includes electrostatic spraying and more frequent Terminal wide cleaning, particularly of the security checkpoints and other high touch areas such as restrooms, handrails and elevator call buttons. Social distancing signs, floor decals and seat blockers promote social distancing throughout both Terminals. There are more than 250 hand sanitizing stations throughout MSP’s Terminals. Acrylic Shields are in-place in areas where passengers and airport employees interact to provide an additional layer of protection. A federal face mask covering mandate, enforced by the TSA, requires the wearing of face masks inside all airports, on aircraft and other forms of public transportation. The enforcement of the federal mask regulations was recently extended through January 2022. 

MSP offers pre-booked parking that not only guarantees a spot for customers but also gives them a touchless experience by using a QR code provided by the online parking confirmation to enter and exit the ramp. 

MSP continues to offer travelers a variety of dining options, from grab-and-go items to sit-down service that’s safely socially distanced. Passengers can opt for more touchless transactions by ordering their meals inside Terminal 1 through the MSP ASAP portal. This contactless online order portal uses a single site, asap.mspairport.com, where passengers can order food for pickup or delivery from multiple MSP venues. 

Many MSP restaurants have also employed QR codes for their menus, along with many concession venues accepting more app pay services to promote additional contactless transactions.