Minnesota’s MSP Airport Just Made The Worst Part of Traveling Better

Thanks to a new program that was just expanded at Minnesota's biggest airport, one of the worst experiences while flying is set to be much better.

Whether you're on vacation or on a trip for work, there are few things worse than getting caught in a long line, right? Whether it's the line to check in with your airline or to get through the TSA security checkpoints, a long line isn't just a miserable experience, it can also cause you to miss your flight.

That's why I was very interested in this new program the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is introducing. I'm not a frequent flyer by any means, but my wife and I like to travel a couple of times a year-- and we'll definitely be checking this new program out!

It's called MSP Reserve and according to a Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) release, it's a program that saves you time by allowing you to schedule a specific time in the TSA security line instead of just taking your chances and hoping the line isn't too long when you show up at the airport.

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MSP Reserve had already been in place in Minnesota at MSP, having been introduced last year at Terminal 2, the release said.  According to MSP, the program logged 50,000 reservations since it was first unveiled in May of 2023. MSP is one of just 18 airports across the country with this new service, which expanded to Terminal 1 as of September 17th, 2024. (No wonder MSP is the Best Airport in the US-- check it out below!)

READ MORE: Another National Survey Says MSP is the Best Airport in the US

Specifically, MSP Reserve is a free reservation service that allows you to book a place in the airport security line for yourself and your traveling companions ahead of time. Here's more on how it works:

Passengers can book appointments online as early as one week before a flight. Reservations require travelers to enter flight details and the number of people in the traveling party, and then select from a list of available times. At the airport, travelers will access a security checkpoint lane designated for MSP Reserve passengers. After scanning a confirmation QR code with staff, travelers can enter the separate security lane.

 

The MAC release noted the new MSP Reserve program will be available from 3:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily at the North Checkpoint in Terminal 1, and from 3:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. and noon to 4 p.m. daily in Terminal 2. You can check it out HERE.

MSP is the 19th busiest airport in North America, serving nearly 35 million passengers in 2023. It's the second-largest hub for Delta Air Lines, as well as the hometown base for Sun Country Airlines. That's a lot of passengers making their way to our fair state, right? So keep scrolling to see some of the most common things we native Minnesotans always have to explain to outsiders!

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