As Covid Restrictions Wane, International Routes Slowly Returning to the Twin Cities

Just in time for summer travel, most Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted, and at the same time, reservations for new and reinstated international flights have surged. While the virus hasn’t been eradicated and probably never will be, the world is moving forward, with adjustments being made so that life can return to a semblance of normal.

Here’s what’s new and exciting at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport:

• Brand-new non-stop service to Quebec’s largest city, Montreal, via Air Canada, starts June 1 (If you haven’t been here, plan a visit soon. This is a fabulous destination that brings France that much closer to home.)
• Condor Airlines’ Frankfurt, Germany non-stops also return on June 1, connecting the Twin Cities with the heart of Europe. Connect here via partner carrier Lufthansa to cities throughout Europe, and beyond.
• Air France non-stops to Paris resumed on May 9. The “City of Light” makes for a wonderful vacation, or connect via AF to European, Middle East and African destinations with ease.
• If you haven’t been to Iceland (I visited last September and will definitely be returning to this otherworldly country), you will be in awe of this spectacular island nation. Icelandair’s non-stop flights to Reykjavik returned on April 28, and Delta’s start back up on May 26.
• Vancouver, British Columbia service has also returned, with Delta non-stops operating since May 5. Sun Country has announced twice-weekly summer season flights, as well, effective June 15.

For summer international travelers, Delta also flies non-stop from MSP to London-Heathrow, while both Delta and KLM offer direct service to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. AMS is another great place to make quick connections to destinations throughout Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Africa.

At the present time Delta doesn’t plan to reinstate non-stop service to Tokyo and Seoul until October of this year, at the earliest. The Atlanta-based carrier’s schedule, as well as those of virtually all airlines, is being severely impacted by a shortage of staff, including cockpit crew and flight attendants.