What you should know about traveling from MSP Airport on MEA weekend

Officials in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is preparing for its annual flood of fall travelers this weekend due to the national teachers’ conference, which is typically one of the busiest weekends of the year at the airport.

During MEA (short for Minnesota Education Association) weekend, there will likely be heavy passenger traffic at baggage claims, loading zones and parking ramps at both terminals, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates MSP. K-12 schools across the state are closing for the annual union-sponsored teachers’ conference.

“MEA weekend is always controlled chaos at MSP, and I wouldn’t expect anything less,” said Kyle Potter, editor-in-chief of the Thrifty Traveler website. “We Minnesotans love our fall getaways, and that won’t change. Don’t expect a free seat next to you when departing from or returning to MSP.”

MAC CEO Brian Ryks agrees.

“We expect high passenger volume in our ticket lobbies and corresponding activity along our streets for passenger drop-off and pick-up,” he said.

Here’s what you need to know:

Busiest day: Thursday is expected to be the busiest day of the long weekend. Around 52,000 people are expected to pass through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at both terminals.

Second biggest day: More than 49,000 travelers passed through TSA checkpoints on Wednesday. The weekend usually ends on Sunday (as students and teachers have to go back to school). According to TSA, the two busiest days this year are expected to be slightly busier than the same days in 2023, when more than 99,000 people were screened.