New Orleans Airport: What You Need To Know

New Orleans is served by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The airport is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans and is owned by the City of New Orleans. The IATA code for the airport is MSY, which stands for Moisant Stock Yards. The airport was originally named Moisant Field after aviation pioneer John Bevins Moisant, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport is now located.

History of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, also known by its IATA code MSY, is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the City of New Orleans and is situated 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans. The airport covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land and features two runways and two helipads. It is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana, offering nonstop service to approximately sixty destinations, including Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

The history of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport dates back to the 1940s. Initially, the area was occupied by Shushan Airport (now known as New Orleans Lakefront Airport), which was deemed too small to meet the growing aviation demands. In 1940, plans emerged for a new and larger airport, which would eventually become the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The airport was originally named Moisant Field, in honour of daredevil aviator John Moisant, who tragically died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the very land where the airport stands today. During World War II, the site served as a government air base before returning to civil control after the war. Commercial services commenced in May 1946, operating out of a large, makeshift hangar-like terminal building.

In September 1947, the airport faced a setback when it was submerged under two feet of water due to the impact of the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane. It wasn't until 1959, towards the end of Mayor DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison's administration, that a new terminal complex was inaugurated. By this time, the airport had begun using the name Moisant International Airport. The airport underwent significant expansion in the 1970s, including the lengthening of the main terminal ticketing area, the construction of an airport access road connecting to Interstate 10, and the addition of Concourses A and B. The original 1959 concourses were renamed Concourse C and Concourse D, with the latter being specifically designed to accommodate widebody aircraft.

In 1961, the airport's name was changed to New Orleans International Airport. In July 1978, National Airlines introduced the airport's first nonstop transatlantic flight to Amsterdam, with a continuation to Frankfurt on widebody McDonnell Douglas DC-10s. However, due to low demand, this service was short-lived, and National Airlines added a stop in Tampa just a month later. In May 1981, British Airways commenced a flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Mexico City, with a stopover in New Orleans, utilising a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft.

In July 2001, the airport was renamed the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary musician Louis Armstrong, who was born on August 4, 1901. The airport suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, forcing its closure. However, it demonstrated resilience by reopening to commercial flights on September 13, 2005, with Delta Air Lines operating four flights to Atlanta and Northwest Airlines providing a flight to Memphis. International service into MSY was temporarily suspended while the FIS facility underwent post-hurricane closures.

Today, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport continues to thrive and expand. In November 2019, a new North Terminal was introduced, replacing the previous passenger terminal. The airport has earned accolades for its excellence, receiving the Airports Council International (ACI) World's 2024 Airport Service Quality Award for the Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year) for four consecutive years.

Accessibility at the airport

New Orleans has an international airport named after the famous jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. The airport is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is about 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport offers a range of accessibility features and services for passengers with disabilities. Here are some key aspects of accessibility at the airport:

Wheelchair Assistance: The airport provides wheelchair assistance from the curbside to ticket counters and gates. This service is offered by the airlines in accordance with the Air Carrier Accessibility Act (ACAA). Passengers can request wheelchair assistance when booking their flight through their airline's website or at the ticket counter or from gate agents on the day of travel.

Visual Paging: Visual paging is available throughout the airport, complementing the Flight Information Display Monitors (FIDS).

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance: The airport adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The airport has established a Grievance Process to address any complaints or concerns related to accessibility. The ADA Coordinator is responsible for investigating and resolving complaints, ensuring that all customers have equal access to airport facilities and services.

Accessible Transportation: The airport offers accessible transportation options for passengers with mobility concerns. The 202 Airport Express Bus provides direct service from the airport (MSY) to downtown New Orleans, near the library. Additionally, transportation services like We Lift Rideshare and Alert Transportation offer wheelchair-accessible rideshare options within the city, but these must be booked in advance.

Accessible Dining: New Orleans is known for its culinary delights, and the airport reflects this culture. The airport's concessions include a range of dining options, and while specific accessibility features at each establishment are not mentioned, the airport's overall commitment to ADA compliance suggests a focus on accessibility.

Dining options at the airport

New Orleans does indeed have an airport, known as Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The airport is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is approximately 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport offers a variety of dining options for travellers, aiming to replicate the local dining experience of the city. The airport's food offerings include a mix of New Orleans classics, globally-recognized chef names, and popular neighbourhood restaurants.

For those seeking a taste of New Orleans, the airport offers dishes such as po' boys, gumbo, muffulettas, and shrimp and grits. These classic New Orleans flavours can be found at various restaurants within the airport, including Emeril's Table, a celebrity chef-owned eatery showcasing a diverse range of New Orleans cuisine.

In addition to local specialties, the airport also caters to a range of dietary preferences and global tastes. City Greens, located in Concourse B/Gate B8, is a healthy, fast-casual restaurant with vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. Their seasonally changing menu features salads, wraps, soups, and cold-pressed juices, along with organic meat options like chicken, wild-caught tuna, and Gulf shrimp.

For travellers craving comfort food, Dook's Burgers, located in Concourse B on Level 2 Departures, offers a classic burger topped with American cheese, lettuce, and tomato, along with a breakfast menu and sandwiches.

The airport also features a mix of national and local brands, including local favourites such as Fleurty Girl and MoPho, as well as nationally recognised names like Chick-Fil-A, Brighton, and Panda Express. These options cater to a wide range of price points, ensuring that travellers can find something to suit their budgets.

To enhance the dining experience, several restaurants at the airport offer convenient ordering options, such as kiosks, QR codes, or mobile order and pay. With a variety of food and drink options available across all three concourses, travellers can easily grab a bite to eat while waiting for their flights.

Shopping at the airport

New Orleans has an international airport named after the famous jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is about 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans.

The airport features a diverse selection of shops and stores, catering to various traveller needs. For those seeking last-minute gifts or memorable souvenirs, the airport houses well-known brands like Hudson News, offering a wide range of reading materials, travel essentials, and snacks. InMotion Entertainment is another popular option, providing the latest electronics, accessories, and entertainment for travellers.

Fashion enthusiasts can explore Perlis Clothing, which offers a taste of New Orleans fashion with its classic clothing and accessories. Westwin is another clothing store located in the airport, providing a variety of apparel and accessories to suit different tastes. For sports fans, the New Orleans Saints Store is the perfect spot to show off your team spirit with official merchandise.

For those with a sweet tooth, the airport also features sweet delight options like West Beignet. Additionally, travellers can enjoy classic cocktails, including Sazeracs and Sidecars, as New Orleans is widely considered the birthplace of cocktails. The airport has received accolades for its dining options, ranked as the "#1 Best Food City in 2025" by Time Out Travel.

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport provides a carefully curated mix of national and local brands, ensuring broad appeal across different price points. Whether travellers are looking for quick bites, last-minute gifts, or a unique shopping experience, the airport offers a diverse range of options to explore.

The airport's role during Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans is served by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans.

The Role of the Airport During Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the Gulf South, causing widespread destruction and becoming the worst natural disaster in US history. The city of New Orleans was particularly hard-hit, with 80% of the city flooded by August 31. The airport, which bore the name Moisant International Airport at the time, played a crucial role in the aftermath of the hurricane.

During the hurricane, the airport transitioned from its regular role as an aviation hub to becoming the city's central evacuation centre, shelter, and triage facility. The staff at the airport facilitated the evacuation of approximately 30,000 people, including general evacuees and those with medical needs. The airport's landlines remained functional throughout the hurricane, which was especially important given the collapse of the cell phone system.

The airport also served as a relief drop zone, a military encampment, a command centre for area rescue and relief, an ambulance dispatch centre, a fire house, a police station, a pet shelter, and a morgue. The resumption of commercial air service on September 13, 2005, marked a return to normalcy and was welcomed with much media attention and high passenger demand.

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