A few new details came out at the MAC commission meeting today about the proposed new club and concourse buildout. The six-gate "pod five" for gates 17-22 (which we all know is totally overcrowded) will get expanded at the concourse level to provide more space, and then a brand new SkyClub will be built on a new level above the concourse — providing more space and hopefully a SkyDeck that we all want. If it's truly up on a third floor, we could get a SkyClub with views of both runways from there. Sounds pretty ideal to me. Hopefully this all comes together.

New MSP Sky club gate G17
 

Is this where that observation deck was (or is it still there?)

I could swear that there used to be one in the G concourse. Not the long part but the section at the very start of G. I believe it was closed for a while after 9/11 but then maybe reopened.

I'm pretty sure there is still an observation deck in D concourse. There is a staircase up just past the McDonalds. I believe it's open most of the time.

Now to me a SkyDeck in MSP, much like owning a pool here, SOUNDS like a much better idea than it actually is. It would be beautiful like 4 months out of the year when it's not too hot or too cold.

It seems to me that airport amenities are improving to the point where the sky club is becoming less and less valuable to me. The restaurant just outside the MSP F/G club is wonderful, stylish, good service and good food. Walking into the sky club sometimes feels like a let down.

Especially when PP often gives enough credit for a full meal and a drink.

If food is the primary objective, then this is true. However, if you are looking for a comfortable place to settle in, with easy access to power, snacks, a clean restroom, wifi, access to DL agents for flight issues and a generally more relaxed environment (I know this is not always the case) than a club usually wins. Especially when you compare a club to a chair or booth at a restaurant, with a server that wants to turn your table over as quickly as possible. I understand that this may not be true at clubs that are overcrowded or in need or renovation.

I don't know if we can say for certain that the F/G SkyClub will remain after the G17 location opens. But it does seem somewhat unlikely that there would be no SkyClub in the main mall vicinity.

The Clubs at ATL used to be on the avoid list...but bow with the rebuilds between the food and drink they are actually a (somewhat) pleasant experience at least at times - hopefully MSP will get back to this point as well. Back in the NW days the clubs at MSP were OK, but space is needed...even more so than DTW...which also has issues on this count...