
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY, ICAO: KMSY, FAA LID: MSY) is an international airport 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. It is named after Louis Armstrong, a famous American jazz trumpeter and singer. The airport has won several awards and is known for its musical performances and cultural events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport |
| IATA | MSY |
| ICAO | KMSY |
| FAA LID | MSY |
| Address | 900 Airline Drive, Kenner, Louisiana, United States |
| Distance from Downtown New Orleans | 11 miles (18 km) |
| Area | 1,500 acres (607 ha) |
| Runways | 2 |
| Helipads | 2 |
| Elevation | 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level |
| Ownership | City of New Orleans |
| Operating Hours | 24 hours daily, including holidays |
| ID Requirement | REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or other TSA-approved ID |
| Public Transport | Bus service by New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2 |
| Awards | Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year) by Airports Council International (ACI) in 2023 and 2024 |
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What You'll Learn

The airport's name
The New Orleans airport is called the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The airport is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans. The airport's IATA code is MSY, derived from Moisant Stock Yards, as the older Shushan Airport (now known as New Orleans Lakefront Airport) retained the code NEW. The airport is named after Louis Armstrong, a renowned musician with a strong connection to New Orleans. The airport has been recognized as the Best Airport in North America for its category by the Airports Council International multiple times.
The airport's former name was Moisant Field, named after the daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport now stands. The airport covers 1,500 acres 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 around 60 destinations worldwide.
The airport has a single terminal with three concourses labelled A, B, and C, and a total of 35 gates. The terminal is served by I-10, and bus services to and from downtown New Orleans are provided by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority and Jefferson Transit. The airport's address is 900 Airline Drive, and it operates 24 hours a day, including holidays.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has been praised for its focus on music and culture, reflecting the spirit of New Orleans. It has received recognition for its efforts to enhance the travel experience for its passengers and has implemented various initiatives to ensure a seamless and memorable journey for visitors.
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IATA code
The IATA code for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is MSY. IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association, and IATA codes are unique, three-letter identifiers for airports, airlines, and other locations.
The airport's IATA code, MSY, was derived from Moisant Stock Yards, as the previous airport, Lakefront Airport, retained the code NEW. The airport was originally named Moisant Field after daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport is now located.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the City of New Orleans and is 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans. The airport covers 1,500 acres of land and contains two runways and two helipads. It is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana.
The airport has won several awards, including the Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year) from the Airports Council International (ACI) World's Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program.
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History
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, also known by the airport code MSY, is the primary commercial airport serving the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. The airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans.
In the mid-1930s, the City of New Orleans recognised that its municipal airport on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain was insufficient to meet the city's growing aviation demands. The high cost of expanding the existing facility led to the decision to build a new airport. In 1940, plans for a new airport commenced, but the onset of World War II delayed the project. The land designated for the airport, known as Moisant Field, was taken over by the U.S. Government and used as an air base during the war.
After the war, in May 1946, Moisant Field commenced commercial air service, becoming one of the largest commercial airports in the nation. By January 1947, it boasted an impressive expanse of 1,360 acres of land, featuring three 5,000-foot runways and one 7,000-foot runway. Additionally, it was the first airport in the country to install an Instrument Landing System. In 1959, a new terminal and two new concourses were inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in the airport's development.
In 1960, the airport underwent a name change from Moisant Field to New Orleans International Airport. The original name, Moisant Field, honoured aviation pioneer John Bevins Moisant, also known as a daredevil aviator, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport now stands. The airport's IATA code, MSY, is a historical remnant, derived from Moisant Stock Yards.
The airport continued to expand and enhance its facilities over the years. In 1974, it underwent its first major expansion, adding two new concourses to the east end of the main terminal, bringing the total number of gates to 42. In August 2001, the airport was renamed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to commemorate the 100th birthday of the renowned native-born musician, Louis Armstrong.
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Awards
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) has won several awards and accolades. The airport has consistently been recognized for its exceptional customer service and efficient operations, solidifying its position as one of the best airports in North America.
In 2023, the airport received the prestigious "Best Airport in North America" award from the Airports Council International (ACI) World's Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program. This achievement was not an isolated incident, as the airport went on to win this award for three consecutive years, solidifying its reputation as a leading airport in its category. The ASQ awards are particularly noteworthy because they are based on customer surveys, highlighting the airport's commitment to delivering an ""unmatched experience" for its passengers.
The airport has also been praised for its ability to handle a growing number of passengers without compromising the quality of their experience. Kevin Dolliole, the airport's director of aviation, attributed this success to the dedication of over 4,000 MSY employees, who ensure the safe and efficient passage of travellers while embodying the spirit of New Orleans hospitality.
Specific categories in which the airport has excelled include security wait times, value for money of parking facilities, helpfulness of airport staff, business and executive lounges, restroom and terminal cleanliness, Wi-Fi access, and ambience. The airport's commitment to continuous improvement and focus on customer satisfaction has set a benchmark for airports worldwide.
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has also been recognized for its architectural achievements. In 2016, a new terminal building designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli was constructed at a cost of $598 million. This terminal expansion project, which eventually cost $1.3 billion, enhanced the airport's capacity and improved the overall travel experience for its growing number of passengers.
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Transport links
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is located 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the City of New Orleans. The airport's address is 900 Airline Drive in Kenner, Louisiana.
The airport is accessible by road, with Interstate 10 (I-10) serving the airport. Bus services are also available, with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2 providing connections to downtown New Orleans. The Airport Shuttle offers services to most hotels and hostels in the Central Business District of New Orleans.
For those travelling by car, the rental car facility is conveniently located on the south side of the airfield, next to the former terminal. This provides easy access for passengers arriving or departing from the airport.
In addition to road transport, the airport offers nonstop service to around sixty destinations, including international flights to Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. British Airways, for example, operates nonstop flights to London's Heathrow Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The New Orleans airport is called the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
The airport code for the New Orleans airport is MSY.
The New Orleans airport is located 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans.
The address of the New Orleans airport is 900 Airline Drive, Kenner, Louisiana.




















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