Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Also known as: New Orleans Airport, New Orleans International Airport, Louis Armstrong Airport.
Private transfer from MSYSee pricesSee pricesAbout Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the main airport for New Orleans and southeast Louisiana, in the United States. It sits in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, about 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans, and is reached by Interstate 10.
Southwest Airlines carries the most passengers, followed by Delta, American and United, and Breeze Airways has an operating base here. Frontier, JetBlue, Alaska, Allegiant and Sun Country add more US routes. International flights go to London Heathrow with British Airways, Toronto with Air Canada, and Cancún.
A new terminal opened in November 2019, replacing the old one on the south side of the airfield. It has three concourses, A, B and C, with 35 gates. Concourse A handles international flights and customs.
From the airport, most visitors head into the French Quarter, the Central Business District and the Garden District, or out to Metairie and the North Shore across Lake Pontchartrain.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
New Orleans Aviation Board (owned by the City of New Orleans)
- Runways
Two (11/29 and 02/20)
- Passengers per year
About 12.4 million in 2025
- Terminal opened
November 2019, with 35 gates
- Largest airline
Southwest Airlines
Arrival tips for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
If you arrive from abroad, your flight comes in at Concourse A, where you clear US immigration and customs before entering the main terminal. Domestic flights arrive at Concourses A, B or C and lead back to the central hall and baggage claim.
Once you have your bags, follow the ground transportation signs outside. Taxis, rideshare, shuttles and pre-booked cars each have their own signposted pickup area at the new terminal.
Rental cars are not in the new terminal: the rental car center is on the south side of the airfield, next to the old terminal, so follow the rental car signs from baggage claim.
The cheapest way into the city is by bus: the RTA Airport Express (Route 202) and Jefferson Parish Transit route E-1 run to downtown New Orleans. An Airport Shuttle serves hotels and hostels in the Central Business District.
New Orleans is on Central Time. Summers are hot and humid, and the Gulf hurricane season runs from June to November.
Ground transportation
Most visitors use a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car to the French Quarter; buses and the Airport Shuttle are cheaper alternatives.
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Book a transfer from MSYTaxi from New Orleans airport
Taxis wait at the signposted rank outside the terminal. Door to door to the French Quarter or the CBD, but traffic on I-10 can be slow at rush hour.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps pick up at the signposted zone outside the terminal. Fares rise at busy times and during big festivals.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you at the terminal, useful for groups, festival weekends and trips to the North Shore.
Airport Shuttle
A shared shuttle to hotels and hostels in the Central Business District; cheaper than a taxi, but it stops for other passengers.
Airport Express bus
RTA Route 202 and Jefferson Parish Transit E-1 run to downtown New Orleans. The cheapest option, but slow.
Terminals
Concourse A
Includes the international gates, where arriving international passengers clear US customs.
Concourse B
Domestic flights.
Concourse C
Domestic flights.
Airlines and destinations
Parking
Rental car center
On the south side of the airfield, next to the former terminal, away from the new terminal.
Frequently asked questions
How far is New Orleans airport from the French Quarter?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is in Kenner, about 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans, with the French Quarter just beyond the Central Business District. Most visitors take a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car along Interstate 10; buses and the Airport Shuttle are cheaper.
How many terminals does New Orleans airport have?
MSY has one terminal, opened in November 2019, with three concourses, A, B and C, and 35 gates. Concourse A handles international flights and customs. The old terminal on the south side of the airfield is no longer used by passengers.
Is there a bus from New Orleans airport to downtown?
Yes. The RTA Airport Express, Route 202, and Jefferson Parish Transit route E-1 run between the airport and downtown New Orleans. An Airport Shuttle also serves hotels and hostels in the Central Business District.
Where are the rental cars at New Orleans airport?
The rental car center is on the south side of the airfield, next to the former terminal, not in the new terminal. Follow the rental car signs from baggage claim.
Does New Orleans airport have international flights?
Yes. British Airways flies nonstop to London Heathrow and Air Canada to Toronto, and Breeze and Southwest fly to Cancún. International arrivals clear US immigration and customs in Concourse A before entering the main terminal.
Which airline is biggest at New Orleans airport?
Southwest Airlines carries the most passengers at MSY, followed by Delta, American and United. Breeze Airways has an operating base at New Orleans, and Frontier, JetBlue, Alaska, Allegiant and Sun Country also fly here.