
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY, ICAO: KMSY, FAA LID: MSY) is located in the city of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the City of New Orleans and is approximately 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans. The airport is named after the renowned jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, and has been recognised as one of the best airports in North America by the Airports Council International.
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MSY is 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, also known as the New Orleans International Airport, is located 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans. The airport is named after the famous jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, who was born in New Orleans. The airport is a medium-sized, primarily air carrier airport with two runways and two helipads. It covers 1,500 acres of land and is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States.
MSY, as it is commonly referred to, is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. It offers nonstop service to around 60 destinations, including cities in Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airport has a single terminal with three concourses labelled A, B, and C, and a total of 35 gates. The terminal was built at a cost of $1 billion and is designed to accommodate the airport's explosive growth, making it a convenient and efficient airport for travellers.
MSY is easily accessible from downtown New Orleans by bus, with services provided by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2. The airport also offers shuttle services to most hotels and hostels in the Central Business District of New Orleans. For those who prefer to drive, the airport is served by the I-10 highway, and the rental car facility is conveniently located on the south side of the airfield next to the former terminal.
MSY has a rich history, originally named Moisant Field after the daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in an airplane crash in 1910 on the agricultural land where the airport now stands. During World War II, the land became a government air base, and commercial service commenced in 1946. The airport has continued to grow and expand over the years, with a new terminal opening in November 2019, replacing the former terminal located on the south side of the airfield.
In addition to its efficient transportation services, MSY also boasts a variety of dining and shopping options for travellers. The airport's unique concession program celebrates the city's culinary, music, and arts heritage, with local favourites such as Leah's Kitchen, Cure, Emeril's, and Folse Market available for passengers to enjoy. With its convenient location, modern facilities, and cultural offerings, MSY is a great gateway to the vibrant city of New Orleans and the surrounding region.
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The airport is named after Louis Armstrong
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (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 west of downtown New Orleans.
In July 2001, the airport was renamed to honour the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth (August 4, 1901). The decision to associate the airport with Armstrong's name was a fitting tribute to the native son of New Orleans, recognising his extraordinary musical legacy and his enduring impact on the cultural landscape of the city and beyond.
Prior to this renaming, the airport was known as Moisant Field, named after daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in 1910 when his plane crashed on the agricultural land where the airport now stands. The airport's IATA code, MSY, is derived from "Moisant Stock Yards," further emphasising the connection to its former namesake.
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It is owned by the City of New Orleans
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is owned by the City of New Orleans. The airport is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The airport is named after Louis Armstrong, a famous musician and cultural icon from New Orleans. The city has a rich musical and cultural history, which the airport celebrates through its unique concession program. The program offers passengers cuisine from local restaurants and showcases the city's vibrant culinary, music, and arts scene.
The airport's IATA code, MSY, is derived from Moisant Stock Yards, as the original name of the airport was Moisant Field, named after the daredevil aviator John Moisant. The airport has been serving the New Orleans area since 1946, with a brief interruption in 1947 when it was submerged under two feet of water due to a hurricane.
MSY is a medium-sized airport with two runways and two FBOs, serving both business and GA aircraft. It is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana, offering nonstop service to around 60 destinations, including international flights to Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The City of New Orleans has invested significantly in the airport's development, including the construction of a new $1.3 billion terminal building that opened in 2019. This terminal has 35 gates and was designed to accommodate the airport's explosive growth, making it a convenient and modern gateway to the city of New Orleans and the surrounding region.
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MSY is the fifth fastest-growing airport in the US
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (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 west of downtown New Orleans. The airport is named after the renowned jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, who was born in New Orleans.
MSY has experienced significant growth and development in recent years, earning its place as the fifth fastest-growing airport in the United States. This growth prompted the construction of a new terminal, which opened in 2019. The $1.3 billion project features a single terminal with 35 gates across three concourses, labelled A, B, and C. The new terminal replaced the previous one, which had been built in 1959 and expanded in the 1970s and 2000s.
The new terminal covers 972,000 square feet and includes a unique concession program that showcases the city's culinary, musical, and artistic heritage. Passengers can enjoy dining options from local favourites such as Leah's Kitchen, Cure, Emeril's, and Folse Market. The design of the terminal prioritises passenger convenience, with a single security checkpoint serving both foreign and domestic flights. It also features two parking garages, adapting to accommodate large crowds during special events like Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras.
MSY is a medium-sized airport with two runways and two FBOs, serving a mix of business and general aviation aircraft. It is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana, offering nonstop service to approximately 60 destinations, including international flights to Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airport has received accolades for its passenger experience, including the Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year) award from Airports Council International (ACI) World in 2024.
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It is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The airport is named after the famous jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. It is owned by the City of New Orleans and is situated 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The airport is an international airport under Class B airspace. It covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land and contains two runways and two helipads. MSY is the third lowest-lying international airport in the world, with an average elevation of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level. The airport is easily accessible via road, with the terminal served by I-10. Additionally, bus services are available between the airport and downtown New Orleans, providing convenient transportation for travellers.
MSY has a rich history, originally named Moisant Field after the daredevil aviator John Moisant, who tragically died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport now stands. During World War II, the site served as a government air base before returning to civil control after the war. Commercial service at Moisant Field commenced in May 1946, operating from a large, makeshift hangar-like building.
Over the years, the airport has undergone significant development and expansion. In 1959, a new terminal complex was introduced, which was further expanded in the 1970s and renovated in the 1990s and 2000s. In 2019, a new state-of-the-art terminal opened its doors, featuring 35 gates and an elegant design that celebrates the city's cultural heritage. This new terminal replaced the former terminal located on the south side of the airfield, which is no longer in regular commercial use.
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Frequently asked questions
MSY airport is in the city of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States.
The full name of the airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
The airport is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2 provide bus services between the airport and downtown New Orleans. The Airport Shuttle also provides services to most hotels and hostels in the Central Business District of New Orleans.































