Delta Air Lines and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) celebrated the resumption of their Tokyo Haneda (HND) connection over the weekend after a three-year pause. This connection now joins five other Delta flights operating to Tokyo Haneda, with two more expected to join the list this year. The Minneapolis / Saint Paul region sees 17,000 passengers travel directly between MSP and Japan annually, making it a popular destination for both leisure and business travelers.
Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates MSP, said in a statement, “Tokyo is one of MSP’s legacy international destinations, with service that goes back decades. We’re thrilled Delta is bringing back these daily flights to continue to meet the strong passenger and business demand between the upper Midwest and Japan.”
Delta’s Expanding Network and Future Plans
The Haneda service resumption will complement Delta’s current service to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Mary Loeffelholz, Delta’s Vice President of MSP Airport Operations, mentioned in the airline’s statement, “Delta is the only carrier to provide nonstop service to Asia from MSP, and restarting service to one of Asia’s most iconic cities, Tokyo, only builds on our commitment to give Minnesotans access to the destinations they want to travel to most.” Delta will operate its Airbus A330neo aircraft on the route, offering 281 seats across various cabin classes, including Delta One Suites, Premium Select, Comfort+, and regular economy.
With up to 290 flights per day to over 115 destinations in March, Delta remains MSP’s most prominent global airline. The carrier connects MSP to three European destinations (Amsterdam, Paris, and London) and a range of Mexican and Caribbean destinations. Additionally, Delta operates to five Canadian gateways from Minneapolis St. Paul, including Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto.
In 2023, Delta plans to have up to seven gateways in operation at Tokyo Haneda by the end of the year. The airline’s flights from Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Seattle/Tacoma will be complemented by Honolulu starting October 29th and Portland, Oregon, from November 1st. Delta will provide more connections to the United States from Haneda than any other carrier, with United Airlines operating in five ports and American Airlines connecting to two.
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