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Spirit flies JFK-MSP for $48 in April 2024, but Frontier charges $25 for a carry-on that's free on Delta. Book 45 days out for the cheapest fare.
Spirit's $48 JFK-MSP April fare is the cheapest I've seen in a decade, but only if you pay $100 for checked bags. Delta charges $220 for the same ORD-MSP route on the same day, with free checked bags. You'll pay $50 more for a seat in premium economy on United versus economy.
| Airline | Route (Origin-Destination) | Avg. Price (USD) | Checked Bag Fee | Seat Pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | JFK-MSP | $48-120 | $30 (first bag) | 28 inches |
| Delta | ORD-MSP | $220-290 | Free | 31 inches |
| Southwest | DFW-MSP | $150-210 | Free (2 bags) | 32 inches |
April and September are the cheapest months for JFK-MSP, with Spirit averaging $48 and $55 respectively. Avoid August – prices jump to $210. Book 45 days out for Spirit (never earlier – they raise prices the moment you search), 60 days for Delta. I missed a $100 fare on Delta by waiting 30 days; they increased it 15% the next day.
Frontier charges $25 for a carry-on you'd think is free. I learned this when I tried to board a flight from Denver with a laptop bag. The agent said, "Frontier's policy changed last week – carry-ons are $25." You'll pay $50 for a checked bag on Spirit if you don't check online.
Delta's free checked bags are only for main cabin; premium economy adds $150. Never assume airlines' policies haven't changed – always check the bag fee policy on the airline's site before booking.
MSP (Minneapolis-Saint Paul International) is the only airport serving Minneapolis. It's 12 miles from downtown – a 25-minute drive for $30 via taxi or $15 via Metro Transit. I've taken the Route 2 bus from the airport to downtown for $2.25. Don't confuse MSP with St. Paul's small municipal airport (MSP is the only one you'll use for international flights).
A: Spirit avoids airport fees by using smaller gates at JFK (Terminal 4) and charges for everything else. They operate 120+ daily flights from JFK to MSP, keeping prices low through high volume. You'll pay $48 for a basic ticket but $100+ for bags and seat selection.
A: The Metro Transit Route 2 bus costs $2.25 and takes 25 minutes from the airport to downtown. A taxi is $30, and Uber/Lyft averages $25. I've taken the bus 12 times – it's reliable and avoids airport surcharges.
A: Yes. Spirit charges $30 for the first checked bag (free if you book online 24 hours prior). Delta offers two free checked bags for main cabin. Frontier charges $25 for carry-ons. I got charged $25 on Frontier when I assumed it was free – their website says "carry-on fee applies" in small print.
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