Delta to launch seasonal nonstop flights between Minneapolis–St. Paul and Maui, expanding Hawaii options for 2026

Seasonal Maui service set to begin in December from Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport

Delta Air Lines will add new nonstop service between Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Kahului Airport (OGG) on the island of Maui, expanding the airline’s Hawaii network from its Twin Cities hub. The route is scheduled to begin on Dec. 19, 2026, and is planned as a seasonal operation running through April 2027.

The airline plans to operate the flights using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Ticket sales for the new Maui service are set to open on Feb. 14, 2026.

Second Hawaii destination from MSP, alongside existing Honolulu nonstop

With the Maui launch, MSP will have nonstop service to two Hawaiian destinations on Delta. The carrier already operates daily, year-round nonstop flights between MSP and Honolulu (HNL) on O‘ahu. Delta has indicated that the added Maui route is intended to strengthen connectivity from MSP, a major hub for the airline and one of the country’s busiest airports by passenger traffic.

Demand and current travel patterns: Maui as a large unserved nonstop market

Airport data presented with the service announcement identifies Maui as MSP’s largest unserved nonstop destination. During the peak winter travel months of January, February and March, an average of about 170 passengers per day travel between MSP and Maui, currently relying on connecting itineraries through other airports rather than a direct flight.

The same data set also characterizes Minneapolis–St. Paul as Maui’s largest unserved destination, indicating that travelers on both ends of the market have been flying without nonstop options.

How the schedule is expected to operate

Delta’s published plan describes a schedule that varies by period during the season:

• Daily service during peak holiday and spring-break travel windows
• Five flights per week during the core winter season

The service begins Dec. 19, 2026, and is scheduled through April 2027, with flights operated on Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

What it means for MSP’s route map

The Maui addition increases long-haul leisure options from MSP during the winter and early spring period, when demand for warm-weather destinations typically rises in the Upper Midwest. For travelers, the change primarily affects trip structure: passengers who previously needed at least one connection to reach Maui from MSP are expected to gain a one-flight option during the seasonal window, while year-round nonstop service to Honolulu remains in place.

Delta remains MSP’s largest carrier by departures and destinations, and the Maui service adds to a broader set of winter Hawaii network adjustments the airline has announced for the 2026–27 season.