Louis Armstrong Airport: A Sprawling Gateway To New Orleans

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is a large airport located 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The airport covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land and contains two runways, two helipads, and 35 gates. It is the primary airport serving southeast Louisiana and the New Orleans metropolitan area, with over 13 airlines operating out of the airport and serving 5 to 15 million passengers per year. The airport has a range of amenities, including restaurants, shops, lounges, and a chapel, and has received awards for its exceptional dining and travel experiences.

The airport covers 1,500 acres of land

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport covers 1,500 acres of land. It is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The airport is named after the famous jazz musician Louis Armstrong, commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1901.

The airport is a significant transportation hub, serving as the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. It offers non-stop services to around 60 destinations, including international flights to Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airport is also known for its cultural offerings, with local businesses, restaurants, and shops providing a glimpse of New Orleans' unique culture.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has a long history, dating back to the 1940s. The original terminal, which opened in 1946, was a large, makeshift structure. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations, including the addition of new concourses and the construction of a new North Terminal, which opened in 2019.

The airport covers a vast area, with two runways and two helipads. Interestingly, it is the third lowest-lying international airport in the world, sitting at just 4.5 feet above sea level. This is only slightly higher than Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands, which is 3.4 feet below sea level, and Atyrau International Airport in Kazakhstan, which is 22 feet below sea level.

It is 11 miles from downtown New Orleans

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is located 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans, in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The airport is owned by the City of New Orleans and is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana.

MSY covers 1,500 acres of land and includes two runways and two helipads. The airport is just 4.5 feet above sea level, making it the third lowest-lying international airport in the world. A small portion of Runway 11/29 is in unincorporated St. Charles Parish.

MSY has a long history, with commercial service beginning at Moisant Field in 1946. The airport was shut down in September 1947 due to flooding caused by the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane. In the years that followed, the airport underwent various expansions and improvements, including the addition of new concourses and gates.

Today, MSY is a modern and well-planned airport, serving 5 to 15 million passengers annually. It has been recognised as the "Best Airport in North America" by the Airports Council International for four consecutive years. The airport features a variety of local businesses, restaurants, and shops, offering a glimpse into the culture of New Orleans. It is also known for its musical performances, showcasing the sounds of New Orleans jazz.

It has two runways and two helipads

Covering 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport features two runways and two helipads. The 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 positioned 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.

The airport's runways and helipads have been put to use by numerous airlines over the years. Northeastern International Airways, for instance, operated a hub at MSY in the spring of 1984. In the summer of 1985, Pride Air, a New Orleans-based airline, operated nonstop or direct Boeing 727 service to 16 destinations across the United States from the airport. Unfortunately, a tragic aviation accident occurred at the airport in 1982, when a Boeing 727-200 jetliner took off from the east-west runway (Runway 10/28) but failed to gain sufficient altitude, ultimately crashing into a residential area.

MSY accommodates more than just passenger flights, though. The airport's two runways and two helipads also service cargo operations. In fact, the Port of South Louisiana, which is accessible via the airport, is America's leading grain-exporting port district. Serving as a crucial gateway for both import and export traffic, the port stretches an impressive 54 miles along the Mississippi River.

The airport's infrastructure has undergone several transformations over the years. The original terminal, which opened in 1959, featured two sections: the East and West Terminals. This structure was expanded in the 1970s, and two concourses were added in the 1990s and 2000s. In 2019, a new North Terminal replaced the old terminal, offering three concourses and 35 gates. The new terminal, designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli, opened in 2019 at a cost of $1.3 billion.

It is the third lowest-lying international airport in the world

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the City of New Orleans and sits 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans. The airport covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land and includes two runways and two helipads.

At an average of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level, the airport is the third lowest-lying international airport in the world. Only Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands and Atyrau International Airport in Kazakhstan are lower. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 11 feet (3.4 m) below sea level, while Atyrau International Airport is 72 feet (22 m) below.

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has a rich history, with commercial services commencing at Moisant Field in 1946. The original terminal was a large, makeshift hangar-like structure. In 1959, a new terminal complex was constructed, which was expanded in the 1970s and again in the 1990s and 2000s. The airport was renamed in July 2001 to honour the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth. In 2005, the airport resumed operations after Hurricane Katrina, which had caused its closure the previous month.

The airport has received numerous awards and accolades, including being ranked as the "Best Airport in North America" (for airports with 5 to 15 million passengers per year) by the Airports Council International for four consecutive years. It has also been recognised for the exceptional dining experiences it offers, with New Orleans named the "#1 Best Food City in 2025" by Time Out Travel.

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is a busy hub, serving as the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. It offers nonstop service to around 60 destinations, including Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

It is named after musician Louis Armstrong

Covering 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is named after the musician Louis Armstrong, who was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Armstrong, born on 4 August 1901, is considered one of the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several eras in the history of jazz, and he was a foundational influence in shifting the focus of jazz from collective improvisation to solo performance. Armstrong was a trumpeter, vocalist, bandleader, singer, film star, and comedian. He was also the first African-American to host a nationally broadcast radio show in 1937.

Armstrong's first studio recordings were with Oliver for Gennett Records in 1923. He endured a challenging early career, facing low pay and issues with recording equipment and acoustics. However, his reputation grew, and he became popular for his ensemble lead, cornet duet passages, and solos. Armstrong's influence crossed musical genres, with inductions into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, among others.

He was also a film star, appearing in movies such as "New Orleans" in 1947, "The Five Pennies" in 1959, and "Hello, Dolly!" in 1969. In addition to his musical and acting careers, Armstrong made television appearances and performed on radio programs like "The Story of Swing" in 1937 and "This Is Jazz" in 1947. Armstrong received several accolades, including the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for "Hello, Dolly!" in 1965, and a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972.

Thus, it is fitting that the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans, bears his name. The airport, owned by the City of New Orleans, is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. It offers nonstop service to around 60 destinations, including Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

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