New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport (MSY): The Complete Guide

MSY Airport Overview

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) serves the Crescent City and the greater New Orleans metro area. The airport completed a transformational move in 2019 when it opened a brand-new terminal, replacing the decades-old facility with a modern, three-level building featuring world-class food, local art installations, and dramatically improved passenger facilities. The new terminal has 35 gates and offers nonstop service to more than 50 destinations, including international flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, the UK, and Germany.

MSY handles over 13 million passengers per year, with significant spikes around Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and New Year's Eve — three of the biggest events on the New Orleans calendar. If you are traveling around these events, book early for everything.

Terminal Layout

MSY has a single terminal with three main concourses. The building has three levels: Level 3 houses departures and ticketing, Level 2 has TSA security screening, and Level 1 is arrivals and baggage claim. The layout is logical and easy to navigate, with concourse-level connections airside.

Concourse B

Concourse B has 13 gates and is primarily used by Southwest Airlines. Southwest has a major presence at MSY and operates frequent service to Texas, the West Coast, and other domestic destinations.

Concourse C

Concourse C has 14 gates and primarily serves Delta Air Lines and its partners, including KLM and other SkyTeam carriers. Delta is one of the largest carriers at MSY.

Concourse D (International)

Concourse D has 13 gates and serves American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and international carriers. Concourse A contains the airport's customs and immigration facilities for international arrivals.

Airlines at MSY

MSY is served by over 13 airlines, including all major US carriers. International destinations include London Heathrow (British Airways), Frankfurt (Condor), Toronto and Montreal (Air Canada), Cancun and Mexico City (Aeromexico and others), Jamaica, Honduras, Panama, and various Caribbean islands.

Getting To and From MSY

Rideshare and Taxi

Uber and Lyft operate from the ground transportation area on Level 1. The French Quarter is about 25 to 35 minutes and costs $30 to $45. The Garden District is about 20 to 25 minutes and $25 to $35. Uptown New Orleans is 25 to 30 minutes and $30 to $40. Traffic on I-10 can be unpredictable during rush hour and major events.

Airport Shuttle

Shared shuttle services operate between MSY and the French Quarter, charging a flat per-person rate that is cheaper than a private rideshare for solo travelers. Look for kiosks at the ground transportation level.

Jefferson Transit Bus

Jefferson Transit Route E2 connects the airport to downtown New Orleans via Tulane Avenue for around $2. This is the cheapest option, taking about 45 minutes to an hour depending on stops. A solid budget option for solo travelers.

Rental Cars

The consolidated rental car facility is a short shuttle ride from the terminal. All major brands are available. Book well in advance for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and major Saints home games — rentals can be impossible to find during peak New Orleans events.

Parking

MSY offers garage and surface lot parking adjacent to the terminal. Daily garage rates run $25 to $30. Economy lots are around $15 per day with shuttle service. The drive from the parking areas to the terminal is quick.

Lounges

• Delta Sky Club — Located in Concourse C. Full-service lounge with hot food, bar, showers, and work areas. Available to Sky Club members and eligible Delta passengers.
• United Club — Available to United Club members. Standard United Club amenities.
• Club MSY — A pay-per-use lounge open to any passenger regardless of airline or credit card status. Offers a quiet space with snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Day passes purchasable at the door.
• Military Lounge — Available free of charge to active duty military personnel and their families.

Dining and Shopping

MSY's new terminal has set a high standard for airport food in the South. The local New Orleans culinary scene is well represented.

• Cafe Du Monde — The legendary French Quarter coffee stand now has an MSY location. Beignets and cafe au lait are required eating before any departure.
• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen — Full-service Creole and Cajun seafood. Crawfish etouffee, seafood gumbo, and oysters available airside.
• Acme Oyster House — A New Orleans institution serving chargrilled and raw oysters, po'boys, and seafood since 1910.
• Zea Rotisserie & Bar — New Orleans' popular casual dining chain with a strong local menu.
• Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Wendy's — National quick-service options available throughout the concourses.

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

MSY offers free Wi-Fi at 5 Mbps throughout the terminal. Connect to "MSY-Fi" — no password required. USB charging ports and power outlets are plentiful throughout the new terminal. TSA PreCheck lanes are available at the main security checkpoint on Level 2.

Tips for Navigating MSY

• Mardi Gras travel requires early planning. MSY handles enormous passenger volumes during Mardi Gras (typically late January through early March depending on the year). Book flights, parking, and accommodation many months in advance. Security lines are long and flights sell out completely.
• Jazz Fest is equally busy. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival runs over two late-April weekends. Flight prices spike and accommodation in the city is extremely limited.
• Eat the beignets. If you do nothing else at MSY, go to Cafe Du Monde before your flight. The beignets are legitimately excellent and one of the best airport food experiences in the country.
• I-10 traffic can be severe. The only road connecting MSY to downtown New Orleans is I-10, which can back up badly during rush hour and major events. Build in extra buffer time.
• International arrivals use Concourse A. All passengers arriving on international flights will clear customs in Concourse A regardless of which airline they flew.

Nearby Hotels

Several hotels are within a 5 to 10 minute drive of MSY, including the Holiday Inn Express New Orleans Airport and the Hilton Garden Inn Airport. However, most travelers prefer to stay in New Orleans proper — the French Quarter, Garden District, Uptown, or Warehouse District are all 25 to 35 minutes by rideshare and significantly more interesting than the airport-area hotels.