What Are Delta Air Lines' Longest International Routes From Minneapolis-St. Paul?

Summary

Delta Air Lines is the largest carrier in Minneapolis-St. Paul after the merger with Northwest Airlines.
Delta operates long international routes to Europe and Asia, exclusively using A330s and A350-900 for flights.
Daily flights offer convenient passenger connectivity.

Delta Air Lines is the largest carrier at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The carrier took the title after merging with Northwest Airlines, which had the most extensive route network from the airport. Although Delta made some changes when it inherited Northwest’s fleet and operations, the carrier continues to be a major component of MSP’s passenger traffic, whether domestic or international. Many of Delta’s international routes from its hub at MSP are handled by Airbus widebodies.

While the carrier offers direct service to a handful of European destinations, Delta also flies nonstop to Asia from the northern Midwest airport. The airline used to utilize Boeing 747-400s on some of its longest international routes as they were former Northwest jets. The carrier’s operation at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) was somewhat similar, given that it was a major hub for Northwest as well. Delta has a partnership with Air France-KLM, the holding company of Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which boosts passenger connectivity.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 departing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

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The airline is said to have suffered losses ranging from $350-500 million.

Delta’s five longest international routes from MSP exceed 4,000 miles. According to aviation data and analytics company, Cirium, the routes journey to South Korea, Japan, France, the Netherlands, and England. Next month, the airline will operate them daily, with the exception of one, which has multiple daily frequencies. Although Delta has used Boeing widebodies, such as the 767-300ER and 767-400ER, on some of these routes, the airline now exclusively uses its A330s and A350-900.

Minneapolis/St. Paul – Incheon, South Korea

6,248 miles

The longest international route Delta has planned for next month is between MSP and Incheon International Airport (ICN). The flight, in each direction, crosses more than 6,200 miles and takes over 12 hours. According to FlightAware, DL171 departs from MSP at 11:35 and is the longer leg. After nearly 14 hours, the flight typically lands just after 15:00 on the next day at ICN. The return flight, DL170, is scheduled to leave ICN at 19:40 and arrive back at MSP around 18:25, resulting in a flight time of 12 hours and 40 minutes.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 landing at Los Angeles International Airport.

Photo: Nick Fox | Shutterstock

Delta deploys the A350-900 on the long-haul route, which accommodates 306 passengers:

Number of flights: 62 (31 in each direction)
Total number of seats: 18,972 (9,486 each way)
Available seat miles (ASMs) in each direction: 59,268,528

Minneapolis/St. Paul – Tokyo, Japan

5,982 miles

At nearly 6,000 miles, Delta’s second-longest international route from MSP is to Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo. The route is operated daily by its newest aircraft type, which is the A330-900neo. DL121 typically departs from MSP at 11:30 and is scheduled to arrive at HND after 12 hours and 50 minutes on the next day at 14:20. The return flight, DL120, leaves HND less than two hours after the arrival of DL121 at 16:05. After flying back in time for 11 hours and 40 minutes, it typically lands at MSP around 13:45.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-900 shutterstock_2380148239

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Delta’s A330-900neos have a capacity of 281 passengers:

Number of flights: 62 (31 in each direction)
Total number of seats: 17,422 (8,711 each way)
ASMs in each direction: 52,109,202

Minneapolis/St. Paul – Paris, France

4,222 miles

Flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris make up Delta’s third-longest international route from MSP. It crosses just over 4,200 miles and takes about eight to nine hours. DL152 departs from MSP at 16:35 and is scheduled to land at CDG at 07:35 the next morning. DL153, the return flight, departs at 10:10 and typically arrives around 12:20 on the same day. Without surprise, Air France also operates the route, utilizing its 777-200ER.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-900neo (N405DX).

Photo: The Global Guy | Shutterstock

Delta’s equipment is a bit more modern, however, as the carrier has upgraded the route to an A330-900neo after previously using the A330-300, -200, and 767:

Number of flights: 62 (31 in each direction)
Total number of seats: 17,422 (8,711 each way)
ASMs in each direction: 36,777,842

Minneapolis/St. Paul – Amsterdam, Netherlands

4,166 miles

The fourth-longest international route is perhaps Delta’s most popular from MSP. At more than 4,160 miles, flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) typically exceed eight hours. This particular route is not just served once daily, but rather three times daily. DL160, DL162, and DL164 depart from MSP are 17:30, 20:05, and 21:20, respectively. They arrive the following day at AMS at 08:40, 11:20, and 12:35. On the return, DL161, DL163, and DL165 leave AMS at 10:15, 12:55, and 15:20 and arrive back at MSP at 12:25, 15:00, and 17:29, respectively.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 just after take off.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

KLM also operates the route but has fewer frequencies, and uses either the 777-200ER or 777-300ER. Delta’s numerous frequencies on the route undoubtedly increase its presence at AMS. With its partnership with KLM, passengers flying from MSP have several opportunities to connect to other destinations worldwide from AMS. Next month, Delta will offer more than 180 frequencies, resulting in over 50,000 seats on the A330-300:

Number of flights: 186 (93 in each direction)
Total number of seats: 52,452 (26,226 each way)
ASMs in each direction: 109,257,516

Minneapolis/St. Paul – London, England

4,015 miles

The fifth-longest route is between MSP and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The flight is offered daily on the A330-200. DL10 departs from MSP at 17:20 and arrives at LHR around 07:15 the next day. The return flight, DL11, leaves LHR at 09:20 and lands back at MSP at 12:20. Delta is the only carrier to serve the route.