A new feature at MSP airport has people playing around.
Long the home of travelers with airline status and expensive credit cards, those luxurious airport lounges are branching out to people looking to get the fun vacations started a little earlier - while waiting for their flights.
It's a one of a kind, Portal Lounge in which there's something everyone can enjoy says co-founder Emma Walbridge.
"We have custom-built PCs for those really good gamers, and then we also have PlayStation, Xboxes, and Nintendo Switches," Walbridge explains. "So there's something, whether you have played games for a long time, or whether you're actually doing it with children or some something new."
There's even a robot bartender.
"It's Toni with an I. I mean, I believe she's a female because she has got some sass to her at times," says Walbridge. "But yes, her name is Toni. She was busting out some dance moves for everyone earlier during our grand opening event, and then she'll be shaking things up to mix-up people's drinks."
Walbridge says it is the ultimate entertainment experience, all while waiting to board your flight.
"We really believed that there was a gap in the lounge space," she adds. "We believe that passengers no longer just want a transaction, they want an experience. That people go on trips and their vacation starts once they've got off the plane. And we wanted to change that. We think that our experiences are important for millennials and Gen Z."
Despite the "gaming" atmosphere, she says their primary demographic is adults.
The lounge is located in Terminal 1, Concourse D near the start of the tram. It's open Fri 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. all seven days of the week.
You can access the lounge for a fee, but anyone with Priority Pass, or participating credit card programs including Chase, American Express and Capital One, can enter for free. Admission includes food, drinks, and gaming.
It joins a long list of lounges at MSP Airport. In addition to airline specific lounges, like the Delta Sky Clubs, there is the Escape Lounge, and the PGA at MSP Airport lounge, giving travelers one more option to escape those crowded concourses.
