OT: Spotting at MSP

NEADC9 · 05-21-2002, 11:16 AM

Okay folks,

I am planning a trip to MSP later this year and fully intend to do some serious "spotting". I was wondering if there are any good airport hotels that offer airport and runway action. If so, I would even like to know what room numbers are the best to ask for.

If there are no good hotels, I would like to know what the vantage points are in and around the airport that would offer good views. I can rent a car so it doesn't have to be accesible only via the terminal.

Lastly, I would like to know where are the good vantage points from the terminal side.

Just hoping to make the best of a trip to MSP.

I appreciate (in advance) any and all advice given on the subject.

BHopper88 · 05-21-2002, 01:29 PM

well first off hope u enjoy the trip to Minne crapolis....lol... just a nwa joke since MSP agents call detroit "DE-Toilet" thus DTW agents call MSP... "Minne-crapolis"

anyway Msp is a fun city to visit...

To add to your ques, the airports around the area dont really give the best views since they are off the field...The closest u are going to get is the Double tree or holiday inn right next to the airport since the are the highest.... my advice for you would venture to the top of the parking structure attached to the terminal....Just that im not sure what the rules for being up there post 9-11... but from up there you can get a birds eye view of all the ops....

Not much INT'l Flavor unless chaos occurs in ORD and 777s and others get deverted for weather reasons...

So besides the SEA of RED TAILS.... (KLM usually arrives in the mid to early afternoon...)(747 or DC10)(Depends if they are flying a plane in anymore or NW took over the route)....

got the Airtran 717s, American/ TWA 717s, EMB 145s with CAL express... US A320/A319, 737s.... ATA 737NG with winglets...ETC ETC ETC.....
All the normal stuff....

Like i said there are not any Int'l carriers that really fly into MSP...

but the best push times for the whales is in the late afternoon...

If u really like the whales of NW head to DTW....at times as many as 8 to 12 747s can be on the ground from BA, NW, KLM, and LH....(LH usually flys in a A340, and BA it ranges from a 777, 767, 747-200....)

anyway hope this helps.....

GO RED TAIL....

NEADC9 · 05-21-2002, 03:50 PM

Thanks BHopper88,

I'm sure it will help a lot. I appreciate it.

DRDEATH · 05-23-2002, 09:29 PM

THE HOTELS BY THE MALL OF AMERICA ONLY OFFER A VIEW OF OLD SUN COUNTRY AIRLINE HANGER AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE SOME PARKED FED EX PLANES I BELEIVE ICELANDAIR HAS A DAILY DEPARTURE FROM MSP

VINCE

BHopper88 · 05-24-2002, 04:43 AM

Icelandair does have a 757 flight into MSP.....arrives in the early afternoon most of the time...

05-21-2002, 11:16 AM	#1
NEADC9 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Franklin, MA Posts: 981	OT: Spotting at MSP Okay folks, I am planning a trip to MSP later this year and fully intend to do some serious "spotting". I was wondering if there are any good airport hotels that offer airport and runway action. If so, I would even like to know what room numbers are the best to ask for. If there are no good hotels, I would like to know what the vantage points are in and around the airport that would offer good views. I can rent a car so it doesn't have to be accesible only via the terminal. Lastly, I would like to know where are the good vantage points from the terminal side. Just hoping to make the best of a trip to MSP. I appreciate (in advance) any and all advice given on the subject.

05-21-2002, 01:29 PM	#2
BHopper88 Master Collector Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Home: Beverly Hills, Michigan (burb of Detroit), School: Grand Forks, North Dakota Age: 30 Posts: 547	Tips for MSP well first off hope u enjoy the trip to Minne crapolis....lol... just a nwa joke since MSP agents call detroit "DE-Toilet" thus DTW agents call MSP... "Minne-crapolis" anyway Msp is a fun city to visit... To add to your ques, the airports around the area dont really give the best views since they are off the field...The closest u are going to get is the Double tree or holiday inn right next to the airport since the are the highest.... my advice for you would venture to the top of the parking structure attached to the terminal....Just that im not sure what the rules for being up there post 9-11... but from up there you can get a birds eye view of all the ops.... Not much INT'l Flavor unless chaos occurs in ORD and 777s and others get deverted for weather reasons... So besides the SEA of RED TAILS.... (KLM usually arrives in the mid to early afternoon...)(747 or DC10)(Depends if they are flying a plane in anymore or NW took over the route).... got the Airtran 717s, American/ TWA 717s, EMB 145s with CAL express... US A320/A319, 737s.... ATA 737NG with winglets...ETC ETC ETC..... All the normal stuff.... Like i said there are not any Int'l carriers that really fly into MSP... but the best push times for the whales is in the late afternoon... If u really like the whales of NW head to DTW....at times as many as 8 to 12 747s can be on the ground from BA, NW, KLM, and LH....(LH usually flys in a A340, and BA it ranges from a 777, 767, 747-200....) anyway hope this helps..... GO RED TAIL....

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

05-21-2002, 03:50 PM	#3
NEADC9 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Franklin, MA Posts: 981	Thanks BHopper88, I'm sure it will help a lot. I appreciate it.

05-23-2002, 09:29 PM	#4
DRDEATH Master Collector Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NORTH RIVERSIDE ILLINOIS Age: 45 Posts: 609	THE HOTELS BY THE MALL OF AMERICA ONLY OFFER A VIEW OF OLD SUN COUNTRY AIRLINE HANGER AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE SOME PARKED FED EX PLANES I BELEIVE ICELANDAIR HAS A DAILY DEPARTURE FROM MSP VINCE

05-24-2002, 04:43 AM	#5
BHopper88 Master Collector Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Home: Beverly Hills, Michigan (burb of Detroit), School: Grand Forks, North Dakota Age: 30 Posts: 547	Icelandair does have a 757 flight into MSP.....arrives in the early afternoon most of the time...