Delta Air Lines is giving Midwestern travelers a new, easier path to Hawaii with the launch of nonstop service between Minneapolis–St. Paul and Maui, beginning December 19, 2026. The new seasonal route from Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport to Kahului Airport on the island of Maui will offer direct access to one of Hawaii’s most sought after vacation destinations without the need for a West Coast connection. Operated on widebody Airbus A330-300 aircraft and timed for the busy winter and spring break travel period, the service marks a major expansion of Delta’s Hawaii network and a significant milestone for the Twin Cities hub.
A New Gateway From the Upper Midwest to Maui
The upcoming nonstop link between Minneapolis–St. Paul and Maui will create one of the most convenient journeys yet for travelers across Minnesota and the broader Upper Midwest who have long relied on connecting flights to reach the Valley Isle. Until now, passengers headed from Minneapolis to Maui typically routed through major gateways such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Salt Lake City, or Honolulu. The new service changes that dynamic, turning Minneapolis–St. Paul into a true one flight gateway to Maui’s beaches and resorts.
Beginning December 19, 2026, Delta plans to operate the route daily during peak holiday and spring break periods, before adjusting to five flights per week during the core winter season. This pattern is designed to mirror the strong leisure demand that surges around late December and carries through mid spring, particularly among families, couples, and snowbirds escaping the Upper Midwest winter.
For Minneapolis–St. Paul, Maui has been widely cited as one of the largest unserved long haul leisure destinations, underscoring how much pent up demand exists for a nonstop connection. The new flight is not only expected to draw travelers from the Twin Cities metro, but also from surrounding states such as Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and parts of Iowa, who can connect through Delta’s hub to reach Maui on a single ticket.
By folding Maui into its Minneapolis network, Delta strengthens the hub’s position as a launchpad for both domestic and long haul leisure travel. The route compliments existing daily nonstop Minneapolis–Honolulu service, meaning travelers will now have direct access to two major Hawaiian islands, with onward connections available to additional interisland destinations.
Schedule, Seasonality, and Cabin Experience
While Delta has yet to publish a final timetable for departure and arrival times, the airline has confirmed that the Minneapolis–Maui route will run as a seasonal service with variable frequencies aligned to leisure demand. Daily flights will operate around the busiest holiday and school vacation windows, ensuring sufficient capacity during periods when many Minnesotans traditionally head south to warmer climates.
Outside those surge periods, Delta will scale the route back to five weekly roundtrips across the winter season. This flexibility allows the airline to match service more closely to traveler patterns while still maintaining regular nonstop access for much of the colder months. The approach also gives vacationers some choice around trip length, whether they are booking a long weekend, a weeklong resort stay, or an extended snowbird escape.
Every flight on the route is scheduled to be operated with an Airbus A330-300, a widebody aircraft configured for long haul comfort. Onboard, customers can expect Delta One lie flat suites for premium travelers seeking a more luxurious journey, Delta Premium Select for an extra spacious experience, Delta Comfort+ with additional legroom, and a Main Cabin configured for leisure passengers and families.
The A330-300 fleet is equipped with in seat entertainment screens at every seat, power outlets, and Delta’s signature food and beverage offerings tailored to long haul travel. The inclusion of multiple cabin classes also positions the route well for a mix of traveler types, from honeymooners and special occasion trips splurging on Delta One, to cost conscious families filling the Main Cabin for a winter break on the beach.
Why This Route Matters for Minneapolis–St. Paul
The addition of nonstop Minneapolis–Maui service is a strategic win for both Delta and Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. For years, airport officials and local tourism and business groups have pointed to Maui as one of the most in demand unserved destinations from the Twin Cities, with hundreds of travelers making the trip each day via connections. By introducing nonstop flights, Delta immediately captures that demand while reducing travel time and complexity for customers.
Minneapolis–St. Paul has emerged as one of Delta’s most important hubs, with hundreds of daily departures and a growing roster of long haul destinations. The Maui announcement follows a broader pattern of expansion that has seen Delta add new international and leisure routes from the Twin Cities, solidifying its role as the region’s primary global gateway.
For the airport, the new route enhances its appeal as a connecting hub for the Upper Midwest. Travelers from smaller regional communities may find it easier to reach Maui by connecting once through Minneapolis rather than making multiple stops through more congested coastal airports. This boosts the value of the hub for both local and connecting passengers and supports continued growth in air service options.
From an economic standpoint, more direct long haul leisure routes can stimulate additional tourist spending on both ends of the journey. Midwest travelers heading to Maui will likely stay longer and spend more due to the increased convenience, while Hawaii’s tourism economy benefits from a steady pipeline of visitors from a region known for high propensity to travel during winter months.
Delta’s Largest Ever Hawaii Schedule
The Minneapolis–Maui launch is part of a wider buildout of what Delta describes as its most robust Hawaii schedule to date for the 2026 2027 winter season. Alongside the new route, the airline is restoring nonstop Boston–Honolulu service and expanding frequencies or upgauging aircraft on several existing Hawaii routes from key hubs such as Atlanta, Detroit, New York, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles.
By spreading its Hawaii service across multiple hubs, Delta aims to offer customers more one stop or nonstop options no matter where they originate in the continental United States. The Minneapolis–Maui route fits into this strategy as a northern tier gateway, complementing West Coast and Mountain West departures and ensuring that the Upper Midwest is not left behind in the race to secure convenient access to the islands.
The broader Hawaii expansion also signals Delta’s confidence in the long term strength of leisure demand to the islands. Hawaii has consistently ranked among the top aspirational destinations for American travelers, and the region’s mix of natural beauty, resort infrastructure, and perceived safety continues to draw visitors even as international travel opportunities multiply.
For SkyMiles members and loyal Delta customers, an expanded Hawaii network offers more chances to earn and redeem miles on high value leisure trips. Vacationers booking through Delta Vacations packages will also be able to combine flights, hotels, transfers, and activities into a single purchase, potentially earning additional rewards and simplifying the planning process.
Onboard Comfort for the Long Pacific Crossing
Flying from Minneapolis to Maui involves a long transpacific hop that can stretch to roughly nine hours or more, depending on routing and winds. Delta’s decision to deploy the Airbus A330-300 on this route is a key part of making that journey comfortable enough to entice repeat travelers. The aircraft is equipped to handle long haul flights with wide cabins, larger overhead bins, and cabin layouts that balance capacity with comfort.
Delta One suites aboard the A330-300 provide lie flat seating, increased privacy, curated dining, and amenity kits that elevate the experience for travelers celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries, or milestone trips. These premium seats are likely to attract travelers willing to splurge for an overnight like level of rest or those combining a Hawaii vacation with business travel.
Delta Premium Select offers a middle ground between Main Cabin and Delta One, with wider seats, deeper recline, and enhanced service compared with standard economy. This cabin can be particularly appealing to tall travelers or those who appreciate additional personal space on longer journeys but are not ready to commit to a full lie flat product.
In the Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+, travelers can expect complimentary meals appropriate to the flight length, soft drinks, and entertainment options that help pass the time over the Pacific. For families, access to an extensive onboard entertainment library, including movies, television, and content for children, can be a deciding factor when choosing a nonstop route for a long flight with kids.
What the New Flight Means for Travelers
For travelers in Minnesota and neighboring states, the launch of nonstop service from Minneapolis to Maui dramatically simplifies trip planning. Instead of juggling connection times and potential delays on the West Coast, passengers can check in at their local airport, connect to Minneapolis, and board a single long haul flight to Kahului. This can reduce overall travel time and lower the risk of missed connections, especially during winter when weather disruptions are more common across northern hubs.
The nonstop route is also likely to prove attractive to groups traveling together, including destination wedding parties, multi generational family trips, and organized tours. The ability to keep everyone on the same flight and avoid multiple hubs can help reduce logistical headaches, making Maui a more appealing option for large group travel originating in the Upper Midwest.
Pricing will ultimately depend on demand, seasonality, and the competitive landscape, but introducing a new nonstop often leads to more transparent fare comparisons and potentially competitive pricing against itineraries that require connections. The presence of multiple cabins on the A330-300 also gives travelers a wider price spectrum to choose from, from entry level Main Cabin fares to premium experiences in Delta One.
For travelers based in Maui or elsewhere in Hawaii, the route adds another direct mainland option. Kahului residents and island visitors will be able to fly nonstop to a major Midwestern hub, opening easy connections to dozens of cities across the central and eastern United States on Delta’s network. This increased connectivity can benefit both outbound Hawaii residents and inbound tourism flows.
Planning Ahead for December 19th and Beyond
Delta intends to open the Minneapolis–Maui route for sale well in advance of the December 19, 2026 launch, giving travelers ample time to plan winter and spring break trips. Prospective passengers who prioritize specific dates, cabin classes, or seating configurations would be wise to book early, particularly for peak periods such as the Christmas and New Year holidays, Presidents Day weekend, and school spring breaks.
Given the distance and seasonal nature of the service, travelers should also pay attention to schedule changes or frequency adjustments as the winter approaches. While Delta has outlined daily operation during peak periods and five weekly flights across the winter season, exact days of operation may shift slightly based on demand and operational considerations.
Travelers booking with flexibility in mind might consider refundable or changeable fares, or use of miles, to maintain options if plans evolve or if additional Hawaii service is introduced that better aligns with their vacation dates. Those bundling their travel through package providers may also find added protections or benefits in the form of trip insurance or rebooking support.
As with any long haul leisure trip, careful planning around connections, travel insurance, and accommodation bookings can help ensure a smooth experience. With the new nonstop route on the horizon, Minnesotans and their Upper Midwest neighbors now have another compelling reason to look west this winter, as Delta’s expanded Hawaii network delivers Maui’s island paradise within easier reach than ever before.