Flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Seoul Incheon (ICN)

Minneapolis-St. Paul to Seoul Incheon has a nonstop on Delta. As of recent schedules it flies daily from MSP to Incheon (ICN), sold together with Korean Air under the two airlines' joint venture. Check with Delta for your dates. The main alternative is one stop through another Delta or Korean Air gateway such as Detroit, Seattle or Atlanta, or through the West Coast on United or Air Canada.

Who flies Minneapolis to Seoul

The nonstop

Delta first flew MSP to Seoul in 2019 and brought it back in October 2022 after the pandemic pause, usually with an Airbus A350-900, as of recent schedules. Under the joint venture Korean Air can sell seats on the same flight under its own code, so your ticket may show either airline. Delta operates the plane, so Delta's baggage and seat rules apply.

From Incheon, the joint venture lets you connect on one ticket to many Korean Air destinations across Asia, including Japan, China, Southeast Asia and other Korean cities.

One-stop options

• Delta through Detroit, Seattle or Atlanta, which also have Delta flights to Incheon.
• Korean Air on its own nonstops from US gateways such as Chicago O'Hare and Seattle, with a Delta flight from MSP to reach them. See our Chicago to Seoul flights guide.
• United through San Francisco.
• Air Canada through Vancouver.

A note on Asiana: Asiana Airlines leaves Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, and merges fully into Korean Air the next day. After that date, Asiana flights are sold as Korean Air, and Korean Air and Delta are both in SkyTeam. United (in Star Alliance) and Air Premia also keep their own US to Seoul nonstops. If you hold an older Asiana or United codeshare booking for travel after mid-December, check it with the airline that sold it.

Flight time

The nonstop takes about 14 hours westbound to Seoul and roughly 12 and a half to 13 hours coming back, depending on the winds, as of recent schedules. You cross the International Date Line, so you land in Seoul the day after you leave, usually in the afternoon or evening.

Seoul does not use daylight saving time. It is 15 hours ahead of Minneapolis-St. Paul in the US winter and 14 hours ahead in summer.

Airports and terminals

Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)

Delta flies from Terminal 1 (Lindbergh), its home at MSP and the terminal for almost all of its international flights. MSP's two terminals are not connected airside: Terminal 2 (Humphrey) serves Sun Country, Southwest and a few others. If any part of your trip is on one of those, allow time to travel between terminals on the light rail and clear security again.

Seoul Incheon (ICN)

Delta and Korean Air both use Terminal 2. Asiana also moved its Incheon flights to Terminal 2 in January 2026. Terminal 1 handles most other airlines. Free trains and shuttle buses link the two terminals, but give yourself extra time if your next flight leaves from Terminal 1.

Entry rules for US citizens

US citizens can visit South Korea visa-free for tourism or short business trips of up to 90 days. Korea normally requires a K-ETA, an online travel authorization, but the United States is on the list of countries temporarily exempted from it through December 31, 2026. For trips in 2027, check the official site, k-eta.go.kr, before you fly, because the exemption may or may not be extended.

While the exemption applies, you fill in an arrival card instead, either on paper or online through Korea's e-Arrival Card. Travelers who apply for a K-ETA voluntarily do not need the arrival card. Your passport should be valid for your whole stay, and many airlines expect more, so see our passport validity guide.

Getting into Seoul

• AREX Express train: nonstop to Seoul Station in about 51 minutes from Terminal 2, with reserved seats.
• AREX All-Stop train: slower and cheaper, with stops including Gimpo Airport and Hongik University, useful if you are staying in Hongdae or Mapo.
• Airport limousine buses: run to most districts and many large hotels, which is easier with heavy bags than a transfer on the subway.
• Taxi: the trip to central Seoul usually takes an hour or more depending on traffic, and highway tolls are added to the meter.

Best months to fly

April to May and September to November are the most comfortable months in Seoul, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in October and November. July and August are hot and humid, with the summer monsoon bringing heavy rain. Winter is cold and dry but often quieter.

Flights fill up around Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (the autumn harvest festival), when many Koreans travel, and around the Minnesota school holidays. Fares change often and the price you see is not held, so compare dates on the live fare grid on this page.

Baggage and fare families

Delta's Main Cabin fares to Asia include checked baggage, while Basic Economy limits seat choice and changes. Premium Select and Delta One include more bags and more space, which matters on a 14-hour flight. If your ticket was sold by Korean Air, the allowance shown on your booking is the one that applies, so check it before you pack. See Basic Economy explained and our jet lag guide for a flight this long.

Flying home

Going back, you leave Seoul and land at MSP earlier on the same calendar day. You clear US immigration and customs at MSP, where Delta's international arrivals come into Terminal 1. Allow extra time at Incheon in the morning, when many US-bound flights leave Terminal 2 close together.