MEA weekend changes Minnesota landscape

Rush hour traffic is light, the airport is hopping and the leaves are turning, which can only mean one thing: MEA week is here.

Why it matters: The annual statewide two-day teachers' conference — a rarity in the U.S. — upends normal life in Minnesota as parents of many of the nearly 1 million school-age kids pack their bags for spring break in October.

State of play: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is expecting big crowds today and Thursday, projecting more than 101,000 passengers to pass through TSA between the two days.

• That's up from 92,000 on the same two days last year.

By the numbers: Sun Country Airlines increased its operations by 31% for MEA, adding 138 flights Wednesday through Monday, said spokesperson Brooke Dillon.

The big picture: The biggest destinations for the airline are Orlando (No. 1 by far), followed by Phoenix, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Tampa and L.A.

• Since MEA is unique to Minnesota, most destinations have plentiful lodging options. October is shoulder season for much of North America.

Zoom in: Some people stay closer to home. Odyssey Resorts, which has nine properties up north, primarily on the North Shore, is almost completely booked solid for the weekend.

• The company promotes a slew of kid-friendly activities for the weekend, including balloon artists, pumpkin carving and caramel apple making.

What they're saying: Vice president of marketing Aaron Bosanko said MEA travel to Odyssey properties picked up after the pandemic, when more people were working remotely and could do so from the North Shore.

• "That's kind of stuck around, especially for some of these holiday weekends. MEA isn't technically a holiday weekend, but we think of it as one."
• This year's MEA will match up with peak fall color up north, thanks to a warm autumn.

Be smart: It's too late this year, but if you're looking for the best flight prices and hotel rooms, book early. Savvy parents quickly book as soon as flight schedules are out.

• For those looking to get ahead, MEA publishes dates for the next 10 years of conferences.

Go deeper: Read MEA travel tips from Axios Twin Cities readers.