New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport (MSY) Flights & Information

One of the largest airports in the nation when it opened in 1937, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) remains an important hub for the Southern US. Serving around 13 million passengers annually, the airport is technically international, but 98% of the flights here are domestic, with Southwest Airlines handling more than a third of the traffic. On your next stop in New Orleans, use these expert tips for flying through MSY in style.

Public transportation to and from downtown

Traveling on public transportation between MSY and downtown New Orleans, officially known as the Central Business District, is limited to buses. There’s only about 14 miles between these destinations though, and the route doesn’t have to take long. There are two bus options and each has its pros and cons, though the price is relatively similar (and cheap) for both.

Jefferson Transit offers service between MSY and the Central Business District on the Veterans-Airport (E1) line. Buses stop at the airport multiple times per hour throughout the day, but the route makes many stops and it will typically take about an hour to reach the CBD.

Alternatively, the Regional Transit Authority runs an express airport service from two stops in the downtown area for a similar price. This journey only takes around 40 minutes, but the service is far more infrequent, stopping at the airport only nine times each day.

When choosing between buses, I typically take whichever one is coming first, unless they’re arriving close together. They both leave from the same area – outside Door 2 at baggage claim – so head there and see which comes first. Saving 20 minutes of commute is great, but not if you have to wait 30 minutes for it.

Taking a car to or from MSY

By taking a car, you’ll typically cut your commute in half over the best bus time. In low traffic, the CBD is only about 15 minutes from the airport, but rush hour traffic can push this to around a half hour.

Taxis are available outside Door 7 at baggage claim and are my preferred hire at MSY. Because there’s a flat rate fare from the airport to the CBD, it’s easy to compare with rideshares on-the-spot and see which will be less expensive. In my experience, the taxi wins here nine times out of ten and they’re already present, so you won’t have to spend another five to ten minutes waiting for a car to arrive.

If you have a rideshare membership that earns rewards or gives discounts, you may still want to pay a bit more and hail one of these. I typically find them about 20% more expensive, but these rates fluctuate, so you can always check before making your decision. If you choose rideshare, exit baggage claim and cross the street to the middle curb, where they all pick up.

TSA security checkpoint wait times

There’s only one TSA security checkpoint at MSY. That might sound like you’ll be in for a long wait, but lower passenger volumes and an efficient process keep average wait times to around 15 minutes for general security passengers. There’s a dedicated TSA PreCheck Lane that offers expedited security to members, and MSY also has CLEAR kiosks to expedite further.

Because there’s only one terminal here and all concourses are connected post security, this is an airport where passengers flying any airline are able to take advantage of CLEAR, a service generally associated with specific airlines. Though annual memberships are expensive, you can cancel any time and receive a refund for the remainder of your year, so it can be worth signing up on the spot if you randomly encounter a very long security wait one day.

Airport jazz

At an airport named for jazz legend Louis Armstrong, you won’t be surprised to find plenty of jazz influences throughout here. At MSY, you’ll see jazz inspiration in art and decor in many spaces, including easily-spotted murals and sculptures, but you may also catch live performances. Near baggage claim on Level 1, the Jazz Garden Stage hosts performances several days per week, and most of them are jazz-focused.

I love how quickly the Jazz Garden gets me in the New Orleans spirit while waiting for my bags before a visit, but if you have time to spare during a layover, you can also pop down to catch a performance. Just remember that you’ll need to clear security again if you do. If you’re considering this, I recommend checking the Music@MSY schedule online first to see if anyone’s playing.

Airport lounges

There are four lounges available for relaxing in added comfort at MSY. The USO, for active-duty military and accompanied family members, is located on Level 3 before security. It’s a great free space to hang out and enjoy snacks, but you’ll need to leave with enough time to pass security before reaching your gate for boarding. You’ll find the rest of the lounges within the concourses after the security checkpoint.

For airline loyalty members or those with other qualifying membership, both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have lounges at MSY. Both are in concourse C, with the Delta SkyClub by C1 and the United Club by C7. Delta doesn’t offer any day passes, but you can buy your way into the United Club if you’re flying with the airline or an alliance partner that day.

I don’t recommend day-passing yourself into the United SkyClub though. Instead, purchase entrance to The Club MSY. It’s less expensive than the United Club and, though there isn’t a ton of space, I find the food selection a bit better here. Free alcoholic beverages are available at both. If you’re a Priority Pass member, The Club MSY is free.

If you don’t have access to any of these lounges and don’t find it worth the cost to spring for a pass but still need some quiet space, I recommend visiting the chapel just after security on the right. Despite the name, it’s advertised as a meditation room by MSY, so you’re welcome to find some silent respite here regardless of religious affiliation or intention.

Leaving during a layover

If you have a layover of three hours or more, MSY is an easy airport to leave for some local sightseeing. You can reach some of the city’s most famous neighborhoods, like the French Quarter, within 20–30 minutes in regular traffic, and easily stroll its vibrant streets for an hour or more before heading back.

The Garden District, just a mile further from MSY than the French Quarter, is also an easy visit during a shorter layover. Here you’ll find the beautiful mansions and lush streets of New Orleans society, in case you’re looking for something more refined than the party-forward Quarter. If you have more time, visit both and catch two sides of multifaceted New Orleans before heading back to MSY.

Remember to give yourself enough time to clear security and return to your gate around 45 minutes before boarding. But since the security waits are relatively short here, that shouldn’t take up too many of your sightseeing minutes.

Eat local

There’s no shortage of classic New Orleans fare to be found around the airport. You won’t have to look far to find po’boys, jambalaya or gumbo on menus at MSY, but there are some destination-worthy stops you should make for signature NOLA bites, especially if you’re on a short layover and won’t have a chance to make it into the city.

World-renowned Cafe Du Monde has a counter near the B gates in terminal 1. Stop here for a chance to sample the world’s most famous beignets without the epic lines that normally form at the flagship Jackson Square location. The cafe au lait here is nearly as beloved too.

For more a substantial bite, I love stopping at Dook’s Burger near gate B4. From the same team that operates the legendary Dooky Chase on Orleans Avenue, you’ll find versions of some of the city’s favorite Creole cooking at this more casual outpost.