For as long as I can remember, I have been spotting at MSP almost daily. I love this airport but as time goes on I find it to be a very repetitive airport.

On any given day, you will see hundreds of A32X, DC-9, 757's and lots of regionals, with minimal sightings of the awesome A330's and 747's (I think a total of 4 maybe 5 a day total)

I know NW is the dominate airliner here, but I sometimes wonder why MSP doesn't attract other US airlines such as SWA, Spirit etc...
Also, I know we used to get regular MD-11 and 747 flights on KLM, but my other question is, why doesn't MSP attract more widebodies from any European or Asian carriers? I feel even though DTW is the World Gateway for NW, besides GM for business travel to Europe, why do they attract a larger variety of airlines and aircraft than MSP?

Thanks for anything you got for me.

Happy Flying,

MPLSflyer

Quoting MPLSflyer (Thread starter): I know NW is the dominate airliner here, but I sometimes wonder why MSP doesn't attract other US airlines such as SWA, Spirit etc... Also, I know we used to get regular MD-11 and 747 flights on KLM, but my other question is, why doesn't MSP attract more widebodies from any European or Asian carriers? I feel even though DTW is the World Gateway for NW, besides GM for business travel to Europe, why do they attract a larger variety of airlines and aircraft than MSP?

Ill start off by saying that I think MSP is missing one key international destination: CDG. I think NW would serve MSP-CDG before anyone else. Being two skyteam hubs, it makes sense for this route to happen at some point.

Aside from that (and maybe FRA at somepoint), im not really sure how much more international flying we will see at MSP right now. Once the 787 comes in, we will see more international flying at MSP, the question is how much.

As for DTW vs. MSP. I think NW chooses DTW for its main international gateway simply because its geographic location is better and its population is higher. That being said however, MSP is a growing area, while Detroit's economy is suffering (and has been) drastically. Detroit is less than half the size it once was. But the Detroit metro area is still significantly larger than MSP's.

As far as Asian carriers go, I wouldnt hold my breath. NW takes care of the Asian Market from MSP.

Quoting LAXdude1023 (Reply 1): Ill start off by saying that I think MSP is missing one key international destination: CDG. I think NW would serve MSP-CDG before anyone else.

Its coming.

As for other us Airliners, there is just too much competition. You must see more then just NW planes as SY's hub is at the Humphrey Terminal. IMHO, other domestic airlines know what is good for them, and they just stay out of here.

As for other international carries and destinations, outside of what NW already serves and IcelandAir serves, there really is no need for more international travel outside of MSP.

Quoting LAXdude1023 (Reply 1): DTW for its main international gateway simply because its geographic location is better

Thats your main answer right there. Not to mention, IIRC, the spent a good chunk of change on DTW to make it into a world class airport.

Quoting LAXdude1023 (Reply 1): Ill start off by saying that I think MSP is missing one key international destination: CDG. I think NW would serve MSP-CDG before anyone else. Being two skyteam hubs, it makes sense for this route to happen at some point.

Why is CDG so critical? Most NW passengers can already get to CDG through DTW, and if you're connecting onward, it's much more attractive to go through a passenger-friendly airport like AMS than CDG.

If MSP-CDG is started, I'd bet it will be AF, not NW.

-Mir

Quoting Mir (Reply 3): I'd bet it will be AF, not NW.

IMHO, NW with a 787. I really have no idea why CDG is important, however, I think its just an important link that NW should have. They could also code share with AF, opening up possibilities for fliers from CDG here. Yes, I do realize they could connect through AMS-MSP.

Not to turn this into our weekly (MSP-CDG When?) thread...

There are still a good number of domestic airlines that fly here, but yes, it would be good to see more.

Does MSP have enough demand to Europe to warrant a European carrier to enter the market? I know NW offers a decent array of flights, and that should more than cover the local market between MSP and Europe.

I love MSP, as an airport, probably one of the nicest facilities, but as a spotter, I would get bored of seeing NW plane after NW plane roll in.

Does anyone know how long it takes to walk from G 21 to F 16 using all available electric sidewalks?
safe   

Quoting Isitsafenow (Reply 6): Does anyone know how long it takes to walk from G 21 to F 16 using all available electric sidewalks? safe

About five - no more than ten - minutes. For me anyway - I walk fast and that's if the walkways are moving. If they aren't working than no more than fifteen but I doubt it would even be that long. They are on the same side of the airport which is nice, although F doesn't have moving walkways - only G.

Quoting MPLSflyer (Thread starter): Also, I know we used to get regular MD-11 and 747 flights on KLM

KL and NW will switch around depending on demand and plane availability. Right now, NW does all the hub-hub flying, but this could change at any time (like it has several times before)

Quoting Isitsafenow (Reply 6): Does anyone know how long it takes to walk from G 21 to F 16 using all available electric sidewalks?

Depends on how many times you stop to look out the window   Straight thru, shouldn't take more then 5-10 minutes.

Quoting KaiGywer (Reply 8): Also, I know we used to get regular MD-11 and 747 flights on KLM

Quoting KaiGywer (Reply 8): Quoting MPLSflyer (Thread starter): Also, I know we used to get regular MD-11 and 747 flights on KLM KL and NW will switch around depending on demand and plane availability. Right now, NW does all the hub-hub flying, but this could change at any time (like it has several times before)

I had a lenghty discussion over in Europe with a Dutchman about KLM and their flights to USA and he said for sure without a doubt that KLM has no interest returning to MSP and will let NW do the flyingmm but they may come back he said.. but its highly unlikely.

Today I was watching planes at MSP and was boring because of all the red tails. Only one red tail wide-body (a 744) landing when I was there.
  

MSP-CDG should happen soon, I think it could work. I would also like LH to start service at MSP. MSP-FRA would be very good.

AM now has the right to serve MSP, but people have said AM considers cities but doesn't serve them.

NW wants to start MSP-Shanghai service using the 787. Hopefully there will be more routes with the 787.

Quoting Isitsafenow (Reply 6): Does anyone know how long it takes to walk from G 21 to F 16 using all available electric sidewalks?

About ten minutes - not a huge deal. The absolute worst is B to F or vice versa.

-Mir

Quoting Af773atmsp (Reply 10): MSP-CDG should happen soon, I think it could work. I would also like LH to start service at MSP. MSP-FRA would be very good.

LH was talking of starting FRA-MSP service back in 2003-2004, but the plans fell through. MSP is large enough of a market to handle MSP-FRA service, and large enough for MSP-CDG as well. An MSP-FRA and CDG link may hurt DTW-Europe flights though, so it's more beneficial to send everyone through DTW.

Quoting B752OS (Reply 5): Does MSP have enough demand to Europe to warrant a European carrier to enter the market? I know NW offers a decent array of flights, and that should more than cover the local market between MSP and Europe.

There is demand, at least for MSP-CDG and FRA. Anything would be overkill and low yielding. MSP's O&D precentage is over 50%, one of the highest numbers for any US airline hub. It also remains NW's largest city by flights (mainline only) and passengers carried, as well as being NW's largest O&D market. The huge number of Fortune 500 companies help. If LH can serve FRA-PDX profitably, someone can serve MSP-FRA as well. Time will tell.

Jeremy

i would really love to see WN come in and offer connecting service through DEN/MDW if not a few directs to say LAS/PHX/LAX/MCO...but i won't hold my breath!

Quoting Mir (Reply 11): About ten minutes - not a huge deal. The absolute worst is B to F or vice versa. -Mir

You win, you'e closest.....a normal walk, not a quick step or a slowpoke takes just under 13 minutes. Thankyouverymuch..
June 7,2007 by the Seiko, I left the counter at G21 at 11:54am and touched the counter at F 16 just short of 12:07pm.
There were no stops and walked a normal pace on the electrics....some passed me, I passed others.

I believe if you quick step, you can do the counter at F 16 to the big McDonalds across from the World
Club in five minutes.
If you all think I'm off base here, try it and lets see what you do.
Now, about that walk down to A 14 from D2...............

Quoting Mir (Reply 3): If MSP-CDG is started, I'd bet it will be AF, not NW.

Does it make much of a difference who it is? NW could do it just as easily, they've got the widebodies, a good feed into the hub, and an outstanding O & D market, that is large, lots of businesses, and fairly affluent. If PDX gets service, MSP could too.

Quoting Af773atmsp (Reply 10): MSP-CDG should happen soon, I think it could work. I would also like LH to start service at MSP. MSP-FRA would be very good.

I don't think you'll see LH coming into MSP, fighting the SkyTeam fortress they have would be tough, and LH's fleet doesn't really have anything that small in it. 5x weekly on an A332 would likely work well, maybe even daily, anything bigger though, you might get past demand. I'm of the opinion NW should take one of its FRA frequencies from DTW and move it to MSP. If I'm going to FRA from MSP, my options on NW are connect in DTW, connect in AMS, or connect in ORD and fly it on AA or UA/LH. All things being equal, connecting at ORD is usually cheaper, so why not? I think it'd serve NW right if LH opened up service, and it would likely do pretty well, given LH's connectivity from FRA, but I still doubt it'll happen.

Quoting Af773atmsp (Reply 10): NW wants to start MSP-Shanghai service using the 787. Hopefully there will be more routes with the 787.

Maybe. Personally, I think they might open up HKG before PVG from MSP, but we'll see.

Quoting FlyDreamliner (Reply 15): Maybe. Personally, I think they might open up HKG before PVG from MSP, but we'll see.

NW ran MSP-HKG in the late 1990s, but it didn't work. I think the 744 was too big for it. The 787 should be much more fitting for the service.

Jeremy