Hate TSA Lines? MSP’s Free Program Is a Game-Changer
While the continuing federal government shutdown may impact your travel schedule, one program at Minnesota's biggest airport can help you save a ton of time, as long as your flight isn't delayed or cancelled.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced earlier this week that it was reducing air capacity by 10 percent at the 40 busiest airports in the country as it deals with a shortage of air traffic controllers who have been working without pay while the federal government shutdown drags on.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) was one of those airports scheduled to be impacted by this decision, with around 34 flights affected as of midday Friday, MPR reported. More flights could be cancelled or delayed as long as the shutdown continues.
MSP Airport’s Free Program Helps You Skip Long TSA Lines
And outside of having your flight delayed or canceled, whether you're on vacation or on a trip for work, there are few other 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 can make any travel a miserable experience.
READ MORE: National Survey Says MSP is the Best Airport in North America Again in 2025
But MSP did something about those long lines last year. They introduced a free program called MSP Reserve, and according to a Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) release, it 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 was first rolled out at MSP's Terminal 2, and was then introduced at Terminal 1 last fall, a 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 service.
Specifically, MSP Reserve 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.
Here’s How to Use MSP’s Free Service to Breeze Through TSA
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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24 Things Minnesotans Have to Explain to Out-of-Towners
Gallery Credit: Carly Ross
