---
title: "MSP is which airport? Minneapolis"
description: "MSP is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, United States. Where the code comes from, and the codes it gets mixed up with."
url: https://atoneplace.net/airport/msp/
site: "At One Place"
---

# What airport is MSP?

**MSP is: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport**

Minneapolis, United States

## Why the code is MSP

Minneapolis Saint Paul, the two cities it sits between.

The airport authority or a contemporaneous record states this directly.

## The airport

- **IATA code:** MSP
- **ICAO code:** KMSP
- **Airport:** Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
- **City:** Minneapolis, United States
- **Code origin:** Documented

The airport is roughly equidistant from both downtowns, which is the whole reason for the name and the code. It is one of the few major US airports with a light-rail line running directly between its two terminals and into both city centres.

## The other code, KMSP

Every airport has two codes. The three-letter IATA code, MSP, is the one on your boarding pass and your luggage tag, and it is assigned for commercial use. The four-letter ICAO code, KMSP, is the one pilots and controllers use, and it is assigned geographically: the first letter or two identify the region, so every airport in the same part of the world shares a prefix. That is why KMSP looks nothing like MSP.

## Common questions

### What airport is MSP?

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, in Minneapolis, United States.

### Why is Minneapolis's airport called MSP?

Minneapolis Saint Paul, the two cities it sits between.

### What is the difference between MSP and KMSP?

MSP is the IATA code, used commercially — tickets, timetables, luggage tags. KMSP is the ICAO code, used operationally by pilots and air traffic control, and assigned geographically by region.

## Related pages

- [United States](https://atoneplace.net/country/united-states/)
- [The flag of United States](https://atoneplace.net/flag/united-states/)
- [Airport codes in United States](https://atoneplace.net/airport/in/united-states/)
- [What airport is JFK?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/jfk/)
- [What airport is LAX?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/lax/)
- [What airport is ORD?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/ord/)
- [What airport is ATL?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/atl/)
- [What airport is MCO?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/mco/)
- [What airport is DFW?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/dfw/)
- [What airport is EWR?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/ewr/)
- [What airport is SFO?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/sfo/)

## Sources

- OurAirports — OurAirports (https://ourairports.com/data/) [Public domain]