Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) serves New Orleans, Louisiana's iconic city of jazz, Mardi Gras, and Creole cuisine. A brand-new terminal opened in November 2019, replacing the cramped 1950s-era facility with a modern, jazz-inspired design.

The airport has a single terminal with three concourses (B, C, D). The new terminal reflects New Orleans' musical heritage with live jazz performances, local restaurants, and art installations.

Key airlines: Southwest (largest), American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and British Airways (seasonal).

MSY is west of downtown New Orleans:

• To French Quarter: 15 miles, 25-40 minutes
• To Garden District: 13 miles, 20-35 minutes
• To Central Business District: 12 miles, 20-35 minutes
• To Metairie: 6 miles, 10-20 minutes

Traffic varies; allow extra time during festivals and events.

Uber and Lyft operate at MSY with pickup on the ground level.

• To French Quarter: $35-45
• To Garden District: $30-40
• To CBD/Warehouse District: $28-38

Taxis available from the ground transportation area:

• Flat rate to CBD/French Quarter: $36 for 1-2 passengers, $15 per additional passenger

Tip: Taxi flat rates can be more predictable than surge-priced rideshare during events.

RTA Bus (E2 Airport Express)

E2 Airport Express connects to downtown New Orleans:

• Route: Airport → Tulane/Loyola → CBD → Canal Street
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
• Journey time: 30-45 minutes to Canal Street
• Cost: $2.00 (exact change or RTA app)
• Hours: 05:30-23:30

1. Exit to ground transportation level
2. Find the RTA bus stop
3. Take E2 to Canal Street or transfer to streetcar

Streetcar Connection

From Canal Street (E2 terminus), connect to:

• St. Charles Streetcar: Garden District, Uptown
• Canal Streetcar: Mid-City, cemeteries

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Short Term Garage	$30/day	Terminal attached
Long Term Garage	$20/day	Covered, near terminal
Economy Lot	$12/day	Free shuttle

Book online at flymsy.com for savings.

The new terminal has excellent New Orleans-inspired dining:

Post-Security:

• Leah's Kitchen: Soul food from Leah Chase's legacy
• Café du Monde: Famous beignets and café au lait
• Emeril's Table: Emeril Lagasse's outpost
• Cochon Butcher: Donald Link's Cajun sandwiches
• Mondo: New Orleans Italian
• Angelo Brocato's: Historic Italian ice cream and pastries
• PJ's Coffee: Local coffee chain
• Folse Market: John Folse's Southern cooking

Don't miss: Café du Monde beignets—get them fresh and covered in powdered sugar.

Network: MSY Free WiFi

• Cost: Free, unlimited
• Speed: Excellent
• No registration required

SIM cards available from:

• InMotion store
• Various carrier options

Purchase in terminal or at stores in New Orleans.

ATMs located throughout the terminal:

• Baggage claim area
• Food court level
• Near gates

The new terminal has good retail:

• Fleurty Girl: New Orleans-themed gifts and clothing
• Mignon Faget: Local jewelry designer
• Dirty Coast: New Orleans lifestyle brand
• Louisiana specialties: Hot sauce, spices, pralines
• Hudson News, tech accessories

Best souvenirs: Louisiana hot sauce (Crystal, Tabasco), Café du Monde coffee and beignet mix, pralines.

The Club MSY

• Location: Concourse C
• Access: Priority Pass, various cards, or ~$45 walk-in
• Amenities: Hot food, cocktails (including Louisiana-inspired drinks), WiFi
• Hours: 05:00-21:00

Delta Sky Club

• Location: Concourse C
• Access: Delta Sky Club members, Delta premium cabin
• Amenities: Full lounge service

American Admirals Club

• Location: Concourse D
• Access: AA premium members, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire

Hotels near MSY are along Airline Highway and Veterans Boulevard. Most visitors stay in the French Quarter or Garden District (25-40 minutes away).

New Orleans is America's most unique city—a living museum of jazz, Creole culture, and legendary hospitality:

Top neighborhoods (with travel time from airport):

• French Quarter: 30 min—historic heart, Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, architecture
• Garden District: 25 min—antebellum mansions, Magazine Street shopping
• Marigny/Bywater: 35 min—local music scene, Frenchmen Street
• Warehouse District: 25 min—museums, restaurants, nightlife
• Uptown: 30 min—Audubon Park, St. Charles streetcar, universities

Must-do experiences:

• Jazz on Frenchmen Street: Skip Bourbon Street; Frenchmen is where locals hear live jazz
• Beignets at Café du Monde: 24-hour institution in the French Quarter
• Garden District walking tour: Cemetery visits, historic mansions
• Streetcar ride: St. Charles line through oak-lined avenues
• Second line: Join a street parade if you're lucky enough to encounter one

New Orleans cuisine (come hungry):

• Gumbo: Stew with okra, seafood or chicken, and the "holy trinity" (celery, onion, bell pepper)
• Po'boy: French bread sandwich—roast beef or fried shrimp are classics
• Jambalaya: Spicy rice with meat and seafood
• Crawfish: Seasonal (spring)—boiled with Cajun spices
• Beignets: Deep-fried dough buried in powdered sugar
• Muffuletta: Italian olive salad sandwich
• Pralines: Pecan candy, sold everywhere

Legendary restaurants:

• Commander's Palace: Garden District fine dining
• Dooky Chase: Soul food institution
• Galatoire's: Old-school French Quarter
• Cochon: Modern Cajun
• Willie Mae's Scotch House: Famous fried chicken

Local tips:

• Mardi Gras (February/March): Book hotels a year in advance; prices skyrocket
• Jazz Fest (April/May): Amazing music but crowded and expensive
• Summer: Hot, humid, and slow season—great for deals
• Bourbon Street: Touristy but worth experiencing once; locals avoid it
• Frenchmen Street: The real music scene
• Cemeteries: Above-ground tombs are fascinating; take a tour
• Hydrate: Heat and humidity are brutal; pace your drinking
• Tipping: Service industry city—tip well (20%+)
• New Orleans operates on its own timeline—embrace the pace