Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

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Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the largest and busiest airport in the Upper Midwest. It's a key hub for Delta Airlines and was recently voted by Skytrax as the top airport in North America. Tasked with the redevelopment of Terminal 1 and improvements and expansions in Terminal 2, the design team strove to create a safe, convenient, and accessible experience for travellers, airline employees, and airport staff.
  • Client

    Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission

  • Location

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Sector

    Airports

  • Discipline

    Wayfinding, Static and Digital

  • Architect

    Alliiance

  • Photography

    John Magnoski Photography

Large digital display showing a beautiful landscape and wayfinding directions.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport serves more than 36 million passengers annually and operates within a large, continuously evolving airport campus.

 

As part of a broader modernization program, the Metropolitan Airports Commission replaced the airport’s aging wayfinding system with a new program designed to support changing technologies, passenger expectations, and operational requirements.

 

Entro was commissioned to develop a unified strategy to improve navigation across the airport while remaining adaptable over time.

Entro began the project with research into passenger movement, operational workflows, and common decision points throughout the airport. Journey mapping, surveys, and on-site observation revealed recurring areas of confusion, particularly around security transitions, baggage claim, and ground transportation connections.

 

In response, the team restructured the information hierarchy to simplify navigation and reduce visual overload. The resulting program includes more than 1,500 signs, combining concise messaging, large pictograms, legible typography, and consistent placement standards.

 

Accessibility was integrated throughout the system in collaboration with the Travelers with Disabilities Advisory Committee, including tactile lettering, Braille, and high-contrast colour palettes. Entro also incorporated a modular sign structure and digitally connected displays capable of supporting real-time operational updates.

The completed wayfinding system creates a consistent navigation experience across the MSP campus while allowing the airport to adapt to future operational changes without rebuilding the entire program.

 

Passengers can move through complex travel sequences more confidently, supported by clearer information and real-time updates. The system also reduces reliance on staff intervention by improving independent navigation throughout the airport.

 

MSP has received repeated recognition for passenger experience, accessibility, and innovation, with wayfinding identified as a contributing factor in multiple industry awards and passenger satisfaction rankings.

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