On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Delta will be opening its newest Sky Club at Minneapolis Airport (MSP), adding some much needed lounge capacity to one of the carrier’s hubs.
In this post:
Basics of the new Delta Sky Club Minneapolis Airport
A new Delta Sky Club is opening at Minneapolis Airport, which measures more than 21,000 square feet, with seating for more than 450 customers. This will be the third Sky Club at the airport, and it adds incremental lounge capacity to the airport (as this isn’t the renovation of an existing club). The new Sky Club is located in the upper level of the recently expanded G concourse.
The new Sky Club is described as being nature-inspired, based on Minneapolis’ designation as the “land of 10,000 lakes.” The lounge’s color palette is supposed to evoke summer sunsets at the lake, with earth tones like sage greens paired with warm copper and amber hues (I’m paraphrasing the press release here, because I think this is a bit of a stretch, but…).
What’s also pretty awesome — and kind of surprising given Minneapolis’ climate — is that the lounge will feature a Sky Deck with seating for 110 guests. The Sky Deck is bookended by two completely open-air elements, one of which features a living plant wall, with seasonal foliage refreshed three times annually. The Sky Deck also features an overhead skylight.
As far as other amenities go, the new Sky Club features three kiosks for self check-in, a full buffet, two premium bars, and three soundproof booths for quiet work. The lounge is also described as being eco-conscious, with over 90% of waste from the lounge being diverted from landfills via recycling and composting.
You can expect the lounge to also feature some local food options, with recipes from Bravo’s Top Chef alum Justin Sutherland. Options will rotate quarterly, and initially will include chicken and andouille gumbo, shrimp and grits, pimento cheeseburger sliders, and banana pudding.
See this post for Delta Sky Club access policies. In addition to being open to select premium passengers and members, Sky Clubs can also be accessed with The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review).
Below you can find some pictures of the new Sky Club, provided by Delta.
My take on the new Delta Sky Club Minneapolis
It goes without saying that it’s awesome to see Delta adding more lounge capacity. Delta Sky Clubs are superior to American Admirals Clubs and United Clubs when it comes to quality, and I especially love the Sky Deck concept. The catch is that:
- Delta Sky Clubs are by far the most consistently crowded lounges run by any US airline, given the access requirements
- Delta doesn’t yet have premium international lounges, unlike American Flagship Lounges and United Polaris Lounges, which is a major disadvantage
Lastly, I haven’t been to one of Delta’s redesigned Sky Clubs in the past year or so (the Sky Clubs just haven’t been at the airports I’ve traveled to when flying with Delta). Is the design actually nice? It’s weird, because on the one hand, I could see how the Sky Club design could look elegant, and it’s at least not generic, like so many other clubs.
Yet at the same time, I can’t help but note that it’s probably not my personal style. It just seems like there’s a lot going on, and it reminds me of a really nice house I’d expect to see on Zillow… in 2009. I almost feel like this looks like a mass-market cruise ship interior, or something. Is it just me?
Bottom line
A new Delta Sky Club is opening at Minneapolis Airport, with a capacity for 450+ guests. This will be the third Sky Club at the airport, so should add some much needed capacity, given Sky Club crowding issues. I especially appreciate the Sky Deck feature, which is something unique that Delta does, which you won’t find at American and United.
What do you make of the new Delta Sky Club Minneapolis?
I know Americans aren't known for taste or design, but my god. Who approved the marshmallow-meets-90210 color scheme?
Poorly designed facility. One walkway through the entire place and it’s about five feet wide. And it goes through the food area. More congested than the Bloomington strip! Some seating is nearly impossible to get to if you have a roller bag. Clearly they put firm over function. Even the soda dispenser is bad. It pours outside of your glass unless you tip it far forward - towards you. At least it’ll take pressure off the other lounges.
No showers!
Still no showers!
DL management seems to hate old NW hubs.
They put showers in SLC and ORD but have none in MSP and two tiny stalls in DTW.
I'm going to have to ask @Tim Dunn how many percentage of international flights are through DTW and MSP, definitely SLC and ORD combined is still smaller than DTW alone.
Or is it a different demographic other than international travelers that wanted to use showers.
What a Chintzy design - despite what they say those bold colors feel more artificial
Than close to nature. It’s going to age quickly
And badly
Apparently there is a big difference in what chintz/chintzy means in America, as opposed to the rest of the Anglophone world..
Lucky - I know your preference isn't to fly into FLL, but you should take one leg through there on Delta to see one of the new lounges in person. The finishes look a bit nicer in person than they do in the photos. After visiting most, but not quite all, of the recently opened or renovated lounges it's my conclusion that Delta has taken an approach with the new and renovated lounges to give...
Lucky - I know your preference isn't to fly into FLL, but you should take one leg through there on Delta to see one of the new lounges in person. The finishes look a bit nicer in person than they do in the photos. After visiting most, but not quite all, of the recently opened or renovated lounges it's my conclusion that Delta has taken an approach with the new and renovated lounges to give them a bit more local personality so there's a lot more variation from lounge to lounge than there has been in the past, but the common elements are - more natural light with bigger windows, higher ceilings, more functional food service areas, greater variety in seating options, and, whenever possible, outdoor seating.
ill be there Friday evening. Looking forward as the other MSP delta lounges are often packed. We were at the new delta lounge at LaGuardia a few months ago and it was amazing.
Will be there in couple of weeks. Absolutely loved the new LGA/LAX lounges and excited that I booked my Asia trip in few days through MSP without realizing that a new lounge will be waiting for me!
Lucky MSP stands for Minneapolis ST PAUL International Airport. NW Airlinres was headquartered in St Paul and then moved to Eagan
Location is not ideal. Way to the end of G Concourse. Unless you are flying out of that area there is no way you want to go there. Also, most international flights leave at G1 to G5 at MSP so useless to have the nicest lounge so far away.
I'll have to see the club for myself but the colour palate does NOT evoke those thoughts to me. And no showers is a HUGE letdown.
It will suck during the times kids are out of school. Too many parents ignore their angels in these clubs.
I finally got to see the new LGA lounge a few weeks ago. It was a Wednesday evening and wasn't crowded, which was a really nice surprise. It was a massive upgrade from what used to be offered. The food was decent and it was nice having stations on both ends of the lounge since most people went to the main one and there was no line ever at the smaller one. The downside is...
I finally got to see the new LGA lounge a few weeks ago. It was a Wednesday evening and wasn't crowded, which was a really nice surprise. It was a massive upgrade from what used to be offered. The food was decent and it was nice having stations on both ends of the lounge since most people went to the main one and there was no line ever at the smaller one. The downside is having one bar - there was always a line to get drinks, so I would imagine the line would be insane on a crowded day. I just appreciate how open and bright the lounge is now, and actually felt comfortable.
Badly needed capacity... and maybe now they will torch the one on C and rebuild it (waiting in line to get in the other day almost seemed like an insult). I haven't seen the Sky Deck details of this new one but, maybe this is the Floridian in you Ben, northerners have a little more tolerance for what's a nice temperature to sit outside. I used to love 55-60 degree days in ATL because I...
Badly needed capacity... and maybe now they will torch the one on C and rebuild it (waiting in line to get in the other day almost seemed like an insult). I haven't seen the Sky Deck details of this new one but, maybe this is the Floridian in you Ben, northerners have a little more tolerance for what's a nice temperature to sit outside. I used to love 55-60 degree days in ATL because I was alone on the Sky Deck.
I've been in the ORD Club with new decor. And you are right... something cruise ship about it (I hadn't thought of it that way, but that clicked when I read it). The ORD Club though at least is so massive for that operation that it doesn't seem to ever be crowded (and you can look in almost sympathy at the Priority Pass holders being turned away by the dozen at the absolutely pathetic Swissport lounge across the hall). I think the decor though is comfortable but I don't know how I'd like some of that seating under a crush load, especially traveling alone.
Lucky - when the summer hits, time for a SkyClub review trip. LGA to ORD, ORD to LAX, LAX to AUS, AUS to MSP, MSP to MCI, MCI to JFK, JFK to MIA (or TPA or wherever your origin is). Wait for the new JFK lounge to open.
@Anthony - Jeb Brooks did a YouTube video not too long ago where he went to all of the Delta hub airports in a day that's worth a watch if you haven't seen it...but I think your idea for Lucky to do a tour of the newest Delta lounges is a great one!
@DLPTATL
I know Jeb Brooks was a clickbait because I did consider pulling it off but it was mathematically impossible.
But I'm a sucker for clickbaits and wanted to see how influencers twists reality.
It's not "every" nor does his use of "legacy" helped him.
First, I'll let it pass to exclude hubs outside USA, as that would be impossible even with Concorde.
Spoilers: He missed BOS (and LGA but with...
@DLPTATL
I know Jeb Brooks was a clickbait because I did consider pulling it off but it was mathematically impossible.
But I'm a sucker for clickbaits and wanted to see how influencers twists reality.
It's not "every" nor does his use of "legacy" helped him.
First, I'll let it pass to exclude hubs outside USA, as that would be impossible even with Concorde.
Spoilers: He missed BOS (and LGA but with the benefit of doubt that he would bait JFK/LGA as NYC)
Bait: He used the term "legacy" which means SEA shouldn't be there and is missing CVG and MEM.
So neither did he hit "every" current or legacy hubs. But it was a fun domestic mileage run video. Seems it was paid F (hat tip @Endre), so I'm guessing (tax deductable) MQD run before end of 2022.
Shout out to Jeb to enjoy some coffee courtesy of my view count.
By the way, he looked like Ted Cruz. He should be on SNL.
Perception of quality and decor is subjective but the largest amount of Sky Club square footage and addition of more is not.
Since Delta has a Sky Club in Miami, then not having Sky Clubs where you fly doesn’t really work. Whether you fly Delta or not is the question.
Since most Club capacity for AA DL and UA is in their hubs, where they are dominant, quality of clubs really matters for...
Perception of quality and decor is subjective but the largest amount of Sky Club square footage and addition of more is not.
Since Delta has a Sky Club in Miami, then not having Sky Clubs where you fly doesn’t really work. Whether you fly Delta or not is the question.
Since most Club capacity for AA DL and UA is in their hubs, where they are dominant, quality of clubs really matters for passengers from competitive markets. I doubt if very many passengers skip over a half dozen other factors to choose an airline based on their club in hub dominated markets
Tim - in terms of clubs, doesn't Delta have the most investment and capacity in non-hubs of the big three by far?
Relatively new clubs in:
ORD
AUS
MCI
BNA
FLL
PHX
Correct.
And Delta One lounges are coming. The JFK D1 lounge will be bigger than the current Sky Club. And that is before the 2nd SC in T4a
A real MSP-centric club would serve at least one "hotdish". It's a Minnesota thing, don't cha know.
"Delta Sky Clubs are superior to American Admirals Clubs and United Clubs when it comes to quality, and I especially love the Sky Deck concept."
That's debatable, and depends where. SkyClubs are typically over-crowded, chaotic, and substantially uneven when it comes to food and beverage, depending on the location. The newer outposts (SLC, LAX, KCI for instance, are standouts), but JFK, ATL, BOS are another matter. Delta has long lagged AA and UA in tiering...
"Delta Sky Clubs are superior to American Admirals Clubs and United Clubs when it comes to quality, and I especially love the Sky Deck concept."
That's debatable, and depends where. SkyClubs are typically over-crowded, chaotic, and substantially uneven when it comes to food and beverage, depending on the location. The newer outposts (SLC, LAX, KCI for instance, are standouts), but JFK, ATL, BOS are another matter. Delta has long lagged AA and UA in tiering its lounge offering. The Delta One lounges will close the loop most likely, but AA and UA have substantially upped their game too, though it will take AA a long time it seems to overhaul the Admiral's Club network to the DCA and LGA formats it now has. The UA Polaris Lounges are generally excellent and the newer or renovated United Clubs are also pretty good. The MSP lounge is pretty, and it's nice that DL is designing these specific to the hometown look and feel. Not putting showers in here is a missed opportunity. Delta has enough long haul international flights out of MSP to warrant this offering.
Delta's newer clubs (including LGA, JFK, DCA, etc.) have "real" plates and silverware which is washed and reused.
@ Bgriff -- Oh, that's great to know, thanks! Will update post to reflect that.
Can confirm real dishware and silverware at the new MSP club (source: I attended a sneak peak event). The decor also looks fantastic in person, and the execution of the Sky Deck should be perfect for the climate. Local management are keen to load-balance crowds between the three locations as they expect lots of folks to flock to the new one for a while.
No showers, as another commenter noted. But there's official word in...
Can confirm real dishware and silverware at the new MSP club (source: I attended a sneak peak event). The decor also looks fantastic in person, and the execution of the Sky Deck should be perfect for the climate. Local management are keen to load-balance crowds between the three locations as they expect lots of folks to flock to the new one for a while.
No showers, as another commenter noted. But there's official word in TPG that showers are being considered for future renovations of the other clubs.