Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport [MSY] – Ultimate Terminal Guide

BY 

Amar Hussain

- UPDATED: August 22, 2020

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Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) served 13.6 million passengers in 2019, and those traveling from November 2019 would have experienced the brand new terminal.

The new terminal took 6 years to develop and gives passengers a flavor of New Orleans from the moment they land. Restaurants serve flavorsome dishes produced by local chefs, and live music can be enjoyed in the Jazz Garden in the central area of baggage claim.

The terminal is modern and spacious, and the curves are said to represent the winding Mississippi River that runs through New Orleans.

Quick Info

Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Terminals: 1 terminal
Airport Address: 1 Terminal Dr., Kenner, LA 70062
Distance From Downtown New Orleans: 11 miles (18 km)
Website: flymsy.com
Phone Number: 504-303-7500
Passengers Served: 13.6 million
Destinations: 47 domestic and 9 international destinations
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found here

Airlines Operating From MSY

MSY Airport Terminals

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport shifted operations to a brand new terminal at the end of 2019. Located north of the existing site, the new North Terminal has 3 concourses, curbside access on the east and west sides, and 3 parking lots directly in front of the terminal.

The new terminal can be accessed from I-10, and the long-term parking and car rental companies remain at the old site located south of the new terminal building.

Levels

Level 1 — Baggage Claim

Within the main terminal, baggage claim is located on level 1, along with access to the ground transportation center on either side of the terminal exits. Visitors can enjoy live music performances in the Jazz Garden, located in the central area.

Level 2 — Departures

Passengers will need to clear the security checkpoint on level 2 before proceeding to departures. The 3 concourses are connected inside the secure area, so passengers can easily connect between flights or utilize the concessions throughout the departures area.

Level 3 — Ticketing

Airline ticketing desks are located on level 3, accessible from the curbside drop-off area on the western side of the terminal building.

Concourses

Concourse A

Concourse A is the furthest concourse from the security checkpoint, with 6 gates numbered A1 to A6. The concourse is used for international arrivals, and some concessions are yet to open. The Club at MSY is adjacent to the entrance of Concourse A.

Concourse B

Concourse B is located in the middle of the 3 concourses and has 14 gates numbered B2 to B12 and B14 to B16. There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants, with a Be Relax spa opening soon. More cafes and restaurants can be found outside the entrance to Concourse B.

Concourse C

Concourse C is located at the eastern end of the departures area and has 15 gates numbered C1 to C12 and C14 to C16. The concourse has a good selection of shops and restaurants, and there’s a Delta Sky Club located opposite of the concourse entrance. Near gate C7, passengers will also find a United Club lounge.

Inter-Terminal Transport

All areas of the terminal are accessible on foot, so there’s no need to travel around by train or bus. The only exception is for passengers parking in the economy parking lot and those renting a car, where it’s necessary to ride a courtesy shuttle bus to the old terminal site.

Shuttle buses depart every 5 minutes from outside of the long-term parking garage.

Security and Customs at MSY

MSY has 1 security checkpoint located on level 2 of the terminal, open daily from 4 a.m. until the last departure.

TSA PreCheck

MSY has TSA PreCheck lanes at the security checkpoint. Opening hours vary, so it’s best to check the TSA website for the schedule.

There is no TSA Enrollment Center at MSY, with the closest located around 3 miles away from the airport at 544 Williams Blvd. Ste. C, Kenner, LA 70062.

MSY has Global Entry kiosks for expedited clearance of pre-approved passengers.

MSY has a Global Entry Enrollment Center on level 1, open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Passengers may also enroll on arrival at the Federal Inspection Service Area whenever an international flight is due.

CLEAR Security Program

CLEAR security lanes and enrollment are available at the MSY security checkpoint from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

MSY Airport Lounges

*Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.
**Day Pass for any passenger. Lounges marked as N/A only allow entry for eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Priority Pass Access

Priority Pass holders can access The Club at MSY with their membership up to 3 hours prior to their flight departure.

Find out more information about Priority Pass membership by reading our dedicated Priority Pass article or check out these credit cards that will pay for your membership fee.

Hot Tip: If you’re fed up with paying for lounge day passes, check out these credit cards that include airport lounge access.

Dining and Drinks at MSY

MSY has around 30 restaurants, cafes, and grab-and-go food counters, and all can be found inside the secure area.

MSY Wi-Fi and Charging Points

MSY offers free Wi-Fi at 5 Mbps throughout the terminal. To connect, select “MSY-Fi” from the available connections. Passengers can choose to upgrade to faster speeds with Boingo.

Charging Stations: MSY has power outlets located pre- and post-security, with outlets at 50% of the departure gates and at many restaurants.

Hot Tip: Tired of all the charging stations being taken? Pack your own portable power bank so you’re never without a charge.

MSY Airport Lost and Found

MSY’s Lost and Found office is located on level 1 near baggage carousel 6, and items found in the public areas of the airport are sent here. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be contacted at 504-463-2252.

If you lose an item on an aircraft, you need to inquire with the relevant airline.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

MSY has an information desk located on level 1 baggage claim, staffed daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Baby Facilities

MSY has 3 nursing rooms located at:

• Concourse A, near gate A3
• Concourse B, near gate B9
• Concourse C, near gate C8

Traveling With a Pet

MSY has 2 pet relief areas located:

• Outside the long-term parking garage
• Post-security near Shake Shack

Smoking Areas

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside of the terminal on the top and bottom ramps.

Money

ATMs are located throughout the terminals.

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at MSY.

Important MSY Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 504-303-7500

Parking: 510-563-3200

Lost and Found: 510-563-3982

Travel to and From MSY

Transport Options

Bus

Several public bus services are available from MSY and operate from the outer curb on level 3:

• JET: The Veterans E1 bus operated by the Jefferson Transit Authority (JET) runs between MSY and downtown New Orleans. The journey takes around 50 minutes, with the fare costing $2.
• RTA: The Airport Express 202 bus is operated by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), stopping at Elk Place at Cleveland and the Union Passenger Terminal in downtown. A single fare costs $1.50.

Scheduled Services

• Courtesy shuttles: Off-airport parking and hotel shuttles operate outside of doors 1-5 on level 1 baggage claim.
• Shared-ride shuttles: Airport Shuttle New Orleans offers set rates per passenger to many hotels and areas around New Orleans. Set fares are $24 one-way or $44 return, and shuttles operate outside of doors 3 and 4 on level 1 baggage claim.

Taxi

Taxis are available from outside of door 7 on level 1 baggage claim, and a set fare of $36 applies to 2 passengers traveling from the airport to the Central Business District or French Quarter. For 3 or more passengers, the fare is $15 per person.

Rideshare

Rideshare operators Lyft and Uber are authorized to operate from MSY. Drivers may pick up passengers from the middle curb on level 1 baggage claim.

Passengers awaiting Lyft drivers should exit through doors 7-9, and those awaiting Uber can exit through doors 9-11.

Directions by Car to MSY

Arriving From Downtown New Orleans

Take I-10 W until exit 221 and turn left onto Loyola Drive. Continue straight on Aberdeen Street/Terminal Drive for access to the terminal.

Arriving From Baton Rouge

Take the I-10 E until exit 221 and turn right onto Loyola Drive. Continue straight on Aberdeen Street/Terminal Drive for access to the terminal.

MSY Airport Parking Information

MSY has over 8,000 parking spaces for passengers, suitable for short and long-term parking.

Short-Term Lot

The short-term parking lot is connected to the terminal via a walkway from the fourth floor and has 2,190 spaces.

• First 30 minutes: FREE
• Each additional 30 minutes: $2
• Maximum 24 hours: $22

Long-Term Lot

The long-term parking lot is located on the east side of the airport across from the arrivals area and has 2,750 spaces.

• First 30 minutes: $4
• Each additional 30 minutes: $2
• Maximum 24 hours: $20

Surface Lot

The surface lot is adjacent to the terminal within walking distance and offers 685 spaces.

• First 30 minutes: FREE
• Each additional 30 minutes: $2
• Maximum 24 hours: $18

Economy Garage

The economy parking lot is located south of the airport, and passengers must ride the courtesy shuttle bus to/from the airport. The economy garage has 2,438 covered and uncovered spaces.

• First 30 minutes: $4
• Each additional 30 minutes: $2
• Maximum 24 hours: $12

Hot Tip: Complimentary airline baggage check-in is available at the economy parking lot for passengers flying with Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Parking

MSY has a cell phone lot located at the corner of Airline Drive and Hollandey Street. Visitors may wait in their vehicle for free for up to an hour before they are called for pick-up.

Off-Site and Hotel Parking

Off-airport parking can be considerably cheaper than using an airport-operated parking lot, and you can bag yourself a deal if you’re booking an overnight hotel and parking bundle.

Booking with airportparkingreservations.com, daily parking for MSY is as little as $7 per day with courtesy shuttles to transport passengers to and from the terminal.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Parking for passengers with disabilities can be found in all airport-operated parking lots, and free parking for veterans is offered.

Parking Contact Number

General Inquiries: 510-563-3200

Car Rental at MSY Airport

The rental car center is located a few miles from the terminal at 600 Rental Blvd., Kenner, LA 70062.

Passengers can ride the courtesy shuttle bus that operates from outside of the long-term parking garage at the main terminal.

These companies are available at the rental car facility:

• Alamo: 800-462-5266
• Avis: 800-331-1212
• Budget: 800-527-0700
• Dollar: 800-800-4000
• Enterprise: 800-736-8227
• Hertz: 800-654-3131
• National: 800-227-7368
• Payless: 800-729-5377
• Thrifty: 800-847-4389

Hot Tip: Avoid paying excessive insurance fees by signing up for a credit card that includes rental insurance. 

MSY Airport Hotels

MSY does not have any accommodations on airport property. A range of 2- to 4-star hotels can be found from 0.8 miles away, with many offering courtesy shuttle services.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

Only 10 minutes from MSY, the DoubleTree by Hilton offers guests all the amenities you need for your stay, including an outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and a free 24-hour shuttle. Hilton does not publish an award chart, so night rates can vary, but you can expect an award night at the hotel to cost around 25,000 to 30,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Stays at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites start with a complimentary breakfast each morning for all guests of the hotel. The amenities don’t stop there, though — you’ll also enjoy an outdoor pool, fitness center, complimentary airport shuttle, and a cocktail lounge. IHG has a variable award pricing, but you can expect award nights to cost between 12,500 to 20,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night.

The Radisson Hotel New Orleans Airport is an excellent option for those looking for a comfortable stay close to the airport. The hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and complimentary coffee and tea each morning. The hotel is a Category 3 property in the Radisson Rewards program, so award nights cost 28,000 Radisson Rewards points per night.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways to earn more Hilton Honors points, IHG Rewards Club points, or Radisson Rewards points.

Final Thoughts

Passengers will now experience a real treat when flying in and out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, with its modern facilities and improved range of concessions. Floor-to-ceiling windows run along the full length of the departures area and provide excellent plane viewing opportunities.

Passenger numbers at MSY have increased year-on-year for the last decade, and the new terminal offers scope to build additional gates, should the demand require it.