Northwest transit through MSP & upgrade query?

I am flying NW for the first time via MSP to MCO in March from LHR.

There is a group of 8 of us so we are in Economy to please the masses.

Any tips for transiting MSP or the possibility of buying upgrades at the airport?

Cheers!




Thread moved to other airlines by mod..... Nick

[Nottingham Nick]

We did this many, many years ago. I remember the transit being a pretty seamless affair. I do remember the MSP was very, very cold with snow everywhere when we were dressed for a trip to the Florida sunshine. [:I]

It was warm in the airport though. [:D]

Nick

MSP is quite a pleasant airport, if you're on NWA then it's all one terminal although of course you'll have to clear immigration and customs, collect your bags and go to the transfer desk to lose them again.

As to upgrading - in my view if you leave this till when you arrive at the airport then you will probably be too late. All American airlines have much more flexible upgrade policies than European ones on domestic flights - e.g. if you're a top tier frequent flier you're likely upgraded on a wait list 48 or more hrs before the flight and other schemes - frequently when I've flown NorthWest and booked First, checking the seat map and finding it empty a day before the flight, the cabin has been full as a result of this.

You could try, but I fear unless you upgrade before you fly you may be out of luck. At least it's only three hours or so.

Oh, and Nick is right, if you exit for a smoke or fresh air be prepared for extreme cold - it was -20C when I was there in February / March!

MSP transit works well. If you have time to spare between flights and you want a change of scenery there is a free bus to the Mall of America for some shopping, there is even a children's funfair there. Good luck with the upgrades and as suggested prepare to be cold.

OK great! Thanks for the tips. We only have 1 hour 30 minutes on the way out so won't have an opportunity for Mall of America (in fact I am not even sure that will be enough time to do the customs thing - reassurance would be appreciated! ). We have just under 4 hours to kill on the way home - so maybe we can have a peek then. Can't complain for less than £300 per person though (tickets were £290pp) which seems less than the tax alone should have been!