[gandalftb]

When I fly, I am keenly aware of the changed attitude and sound levels of the engines on descent, which begins 100 miles out.

I agree, many passengers must have noticed and started asking questions, I sure would have. Much less fly past MSP, no chance that gets un-noticed.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Indeed, I can see how many infrequent flyers wouldn’t notice gradual descent or lack thereof, but it’s just not plausible that experienced flight attendants (the only kind working on planes this large) wouldn’t be aware of it if they were focusing on their jobs the way they’re supposed to be.

[VOA]

“Much less fly past MSP, no chance that gets un-noticed.”

When flying over a isolated major population center in “flyover
country” (after dark in this case, IIRC)...anyone in a window seat
with a watch would have to tempted to ask the flight attendants after
seeing the plane fly past the city lights:
“Uuuhhh, wasn’t that The Twin Cities, our destination, we left in
our rearview mirror 15 minutes ago?”