Delta Air Lines plans to station Airbus A350s at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport starting early 2027. This move may expand long-haul routes from the Upper Midwest. The airline already uses A350s seasonally on select international flights from MSP.
Delta currently operates A350s from Minneapolis only during peak seasons to Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Seoul, with most long-haul flights using older widebodies. The new base, confirmed internally for February 2027, would allow year-round A350 deployment and potentially new international routes. The airport handles 24.6 million Delta passengers annually, and the airline holds 71% of its market share.
The A350 offers 25% better fuel efficiency than legacy widebodies and features Delta One Suites and Premium Select cabins. Delta’s fleet includes over 40 A350-900s, with 18 more on order and 20 A350-1000s planned. This base aligns with Delta’s strategy to deploy newer aircraft on high-demand routes and hubs beyond Atlanta, JFK, and Salt Lake City.
Travelers may see more direct long-haul flights from Minneapolis, with upgraded cabins and better fuel efficiency. Frequent flyers could gain more elite-qualifying miles and better redemption options as Delta expands premium capacity in the Upper Midwest.
