--- iata: MSY name: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport city: New Orleans country: United States lastUpdated: '2026-09-01' officialWebsite: 'https://flymsy.com/' sources: - 'https://flymsy.com/' - 'https://flymsy.com/amenities/' - 'https://flymsy.com/parking/' - 'https://flymsy.com/public-transportation/' - 'https://theclubairportlounges.com/lounges/msy-the-club-concourse-a' - 'https://flymsy.com/club-msy-renovation/' - >- https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/louis-armstrong-new-orleans-international/msy1-the-club-msy - >- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong_New_Orleans_International_Airport - >- https://www.neworleans.com/plan/transportation/louis-armstrong-international-airport/ - 'https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airport-lounges/2047408-club-msy.html' - >- https://www.pointswithacrew.com/the-club-msy-lounge-review-new-orleans-airport-priority-pass/ quickFacts: - >- Single modern terminal (opened 2019) with three concourses A/B/C and ~35 gates after one centralized security checkpoint - >- Southwest is the largest carrier; also strong Delta, American, United presence plus some international (BA to LHR) - Repeatedly named Best Airport in North America (5-15M pax category) by ACI - >- Strong local food scene airside including Cafe du Monde beignets, Emeril’s, Leah’s Kitchen, MoPho - >- Free Wi-Fi (#MSY-FI), 11 post-security water bottle fillers, pet relief near Shake Shack - Military lounge pre-security; jazz performances and local vibe throughout bentoTips: - label: Timing title: Arrive 2+ hours; 3 for peaks/events detail: >- Checkpoint opens ~3:30 a.m.; lounges mostly close by 7-9 p.m. so plan early flights carefully. summary: >- Standard security averages 15-30 minutes but can hit 45+ or worse during early mornings, evenings, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest or staffing issues—use MyTSA app and PreCheck/CLEAR. category: timing - label: Terminal title: 'One terminal, walk everything' detail: >- Level 3 ticketing, Level 2 security/departures, Level 1 arrivals/baggage; Club MSY elevator near A/B split. summary: >- Centralized security on Level 2 gives access to all concourses A (international/far), B (middle), C (east); no trains needed, just follow signs and allow 5-15 minutes gate-to-gate. category: terminal - label: Food title: Prioritize local over chains detail: >- Shake Shack and Chick-fil-A exist for speed; most options post-security with mobile/QR ordering common. summary: >- Skip generic and hit Cafe du Monde beignets, Emeril’s Table, Leah’s Kitchen Creole, MoPho, Dook’s or Bar Sazerac for real NOLA flavor airside. category: food - label: Status title: Check MyTSA and airline apps detail: >- On-time performance typically mid-60s to high-70s percent; flat-rate taxis help ground side predictability. summary: >- Generally reliable midsize operation with good awards, but weather, events or occasional TSA staffing can spike waits—monitor live and build buffer. category: status lounges: - name: The Club MSY hours: '04:00-21:00 daily' access: - Priority Pass - LoungeKey - Day pass $50-60 - Eligible credit cards bestFor: - Priority Pass holders - Work - Longer waits - Showers summary: >- Recently renovated with NOLA Garden District/Jazz themes, solid food/bar, showers and quiet areas—best all-access option and generally well-reviewed as above-average PP lounge. verdict: worth-it terminal: Main Terminal amenities: - Showers - Quiet zone/pods - Hot/cold buffet and a la carte - Full bar with cocktails - Wi-Fi - Workspaces - Restrooms - name: Delta Sky Club hours: 'Approximately 04:00/04:15-18:45/19:30 (varies; check day-of)' access: - Delta Sky Club membership - Delta One/First - Amex Platinum (select) - SkyTeam Elite Plus on qualifying bestFor: - Delta flyers - Short-medium waits summary: >- Small-to-medium outstation Sky Club near C1 entrance; decent Southern-leaning food and bar but can get crowded—fine if eligible, skip long stays. verdict: depends terminal: Main Terminal / Concourse C amenities: - Buffet with hot/cold options - Full bar - Wi-Fi - Restrooms - Seating and power - TVs - name: United Club hours: 'Approximately 04:00/04:30-18:30/19:15 daily' access: - United Club membership - United Polaris/First - Star Alliance Gold (rules apply) - Chase United Club card bestFor: - United/Star Gold - Quiet summary: >- Lower-level lounge near C5/C7 accessed by elevator/stairs; quieter and functional with standard United Club food/drinks but early close and nothing exceptional. verdict: depends terminal: Main Terminal / Concourse C amenities: - Snacks and buffet items - Bar with beer/wine/liquor - Wi-Fi - Restrooms - Seating - Business center elements - name: Military Lounge hours: '08:00-20:00 Sun-Thu; 08:00-16:00 Fri-Sat' access: - Active military with valid ID bestFor: - Military travelers summary: >- Free pre-security option opposite Alaska ticketing on Level 3—simple but valuable for eligible service members. verdict: worth-it terminal: Main Terminal amenities: - Free snacks and drinks - Seating - Charging - Luggage storage waterOptions: - kind: refill name: Post-security bottle filling stations zone: airside summary: >- Free filtered water—bring an empty reusable bottle through security; best and cheapest option by far. location: >- 11 stations throughout concourses, commonly near restrooms and high-traffic areas such as by Shake Shack (between security and Concourse B) terminal: Main Terminal isBestValue: true isBestQuality: true - kind: purchase name: Convenience/newsstands or cafes (e.g. near gates or Moisant Market area) zone: airside price: $3-5 for typical 500ml-20oz bottle summary: >- Standard airport markup; only if you forgot a bottle—refill stations are everywhere after security. location: >- Airside shops and grab-and-go near Concourse B entrance or gate areas post-security terminal: Main Terminal - kind: purchase name: Starbucks or similar coffee shops zone: airside price: ~$3-4+ for bottled water summary: >- Convenient if already buying coffee but not the cheapest; still better to refill free. location: Post-security near main food clusters and concourse entrances terminal: Main Terminal - kind: free name: Ask at restaurants or bars zone: airside summary: >- Many places will fill a bottle or provide a cup of tap water on request if stations are busy. location: Any airside food outlet (e.g. near Emeril’s or Shake Shack) terminal: Main Terminal airportistScore: 7.7 slug: msy region: North America --- > Markdown for [/airports/msy](/airports/msy). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy. - [HTML page](/airports/msy) - [Lounge directory](/airports/msy/lounges.md) - [Sitemap](/sitemap.md) # Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) New Orleans, United States · North America MSY delivers a genuinely pleasant midsize experience with standout local food, easy single-terminal layout and repeated best-in-class awards, traded off against average on-time stats and event-driven security spikes. ## Airportist Score **7.7 / 10** - Comfort: 8.0 - Navigation: 8.5 - Food: 8.2 - Transport: 7.2 - Disruption resilience: 6.8 ## At a glance - Passengers: 13M - Terminals: 1 terminal with 3 concourses - Typical security: 20 min - On-time: 70% - Disruption: normal ## Best for - Local New Orleans food and vibe - Easy single-terminal navigation - Priority Pass lounge access - Award-winning passenger experience ## Watch out for - Security wait spikes during Mardi Gras, festivals or TSA staffing issues - Limited lounge hours (most close early evening) - Economy parking requires shuttle - Rideshare surge pricing common during events ## More intel - [Lounge directory](/airports/msy/lounges.md) (free) - [Getting there](/airports/msy/getting-there.md) (free) - [Amenities](/airports/msy/amenities.md) - [Traveler tips](/airports/msy/tips.md) - [Water](/airports/msy/water.md) - [Full guide](/airports/msy/guide.md) - [Disruptions](/airports/msy/disruptions.md) - [Reviews](/airports/msy/reviews.md)