Jazmin Li
New Orleans' primary airport is the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The airport is 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is a medium-sized airport with two runways and two helipads, covering 1,500 acres of land. The airport has a rich history, originally named Moisant Field after aviator John Moisant and later renamed New Orleans International Airport. Today, the airport code MSY is derived from Moisant Stock Yards, and the airport has received awards for being the Best Airport in North America for four consecutive years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport |
| IATA Code | MSY |
| ICAO | KMSY |
| FAA LID | MSY |
| Location | City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States |
| Distance from downtown New Orleans | 11 miles (18 km) |
| Runway | 2 |
| Helipads | 2 |
| Elevation | 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level |
| Ranking | Third lowest-lying international airport in the world |
| Annual Passengers | 5 to 15 million |
| Awards | Best Airport in North America (Airports Council International) |
| Transport to downtown New Orleans | New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2 |
| Year plans for airport began | 1940 |
| Original name | Moisant Field |
| Year current name was adopted | 1961 |
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What You'll Learn
Location and ownership
The main airport in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, is the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is situated 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans. A small portion of Runway 11/29 is in unincorporated St. Charles Parish. The airport is served by I-10, and bus services connect it to downtown New Orleans.
The airport's IATA code is MSY, derived from Moisant Stock Yards, as the previous New Orleans Lakefront Airport retained the code NEW. The airport is named after Louis Armstrong, but it was originally named after aviator John Moisant, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport now stands. The airport's original name was Moisant Field, and it was later renamed Moisant International Airport before becoming the New Orleans International Airport in 1961.
The airport covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land and includes two runways, RWY 11/29 and RWY 02/20, and two helipads. It is one of the lowest-lying international airports in the world, with an average elevation of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level. The airport has a new passenger terminal on its north side, and the rental car facility is located on the south side, next to the former terminal.
The airport has a rich history, with plans for its construction dating back to 1940 when it became evident that the older Shushan Airport (now known as New Orleans Lakefront Airport) was too small. During World War II, the land was used as a government air base, and commercial service commenced in May 1946. However, the airport faced challenges, including a shutdown in September 1947 due to flooding from the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane. A new terminal complex was inaugurated in 1959, and the airport has since undergone expansions and improvements, including the construction of Concourses A and B in the mid-1970s.
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Transport to and from the airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is the primary airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. It is located 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans.
There are several transport options available for travellers to and from the airport.
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) provides the Airport Express (202) bus service, which travels from the airport terminals to Elk Place at Canal Street in Downtown New Orleans. The fare is $1.25 and the bus makes 9 daily trips to New Orleans. The bus stop locations in New Orleans include Elk Place at Cleveland and the Union Passenger Terminal/Bus Bay 2.
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2 also provide bus services between the airport and downtown New Orleans.
The Airport Shuttle provides transportation services to most hotels and hostels in the Central Business District of New Orleans, as well as Downtown and Uptown New Orleans, the French Quarter, and other locations. They offer charter bus rentals and group transportation services for conventions and events. The shuttle can be identified by its white vehicles with yellow "Airport Shuttle" lettering on the side. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Airport Shuttle Ticket Desk on the ground level of the airport, or by calling ahead.
Taxi services are also available at the airport, with a cab stand located outside the airport on level 1. The fare is $36 each way for one or two people, $14 each for three or more people, and a $1 per bag fee. Rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft can also be used, with a designated pickup spot located on level 1 outside the baggage claim area.
For those travelling with children, KreweCar is a family-friendly rideshare app that provides professional drivers who are screened and background-checked.
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History
The main airport of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, is the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The history of the airport can be traced back to the 1940s when it became clear that the older Shushan Airport (New Orleans Lakefront Airport) was too small. The new 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. During World War II, the land became a government air base and returned to civil control after the war. Commercial service at Moisant Field commenced in May 1946, with the terminal occupying a large, makeshift hangar-like building.
In September 1947, the airport was shut down after it was submerged under two feet of water due to the impact of the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane. A new terminal complex debuted in 1959 towards the end of Mayor DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison's administration. By the time the 1959 terminal building opened, the airport's name had been changed to Moisant International Airport. The airport's IATA code, MSY, was derived from Moisant Stock Yards.
In 1961, the airport's name was changed again to New Orleans International Airport. The airport underwent a significant expansion in the mid-1970s, which included the construction of Concourses A and B, and an airport access road linking the terminal to Interstate 10. The original 1959 concourses were renamed Concourse C and Concourse D, with Concourse D being designed to accommodate widebody aircraft.
In July 1978, National Airlines began the airport's first nonstop transatlantic flight to Amsterdam, with continuing service to Frankfurt using widebody McDonnell Douglas DC-10s. However, due to low demand, National Airlines added a stop in Tampa less than a month later. In May 1981, British Airways introduced a flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Mexico City that included a stop in New Orleans, utilising a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.
In July 2001, the airport was renamed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to honour the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth. The airport has received several awards and is recognised as one of the best airports in North America.
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Facilities
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY, ICAO: KMSY, FAA LID: MSY) is the primary airport for New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. The airport is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The airport has two runways and two helipads. Runway 11 is the primary runway, and TWY G8 is the primary turnoff for air carrier traffic inbound to the new terminal. The airport also has two fixed-base operators (FBOs) serving visiting business and general aviation aircraft.
A new passenger terminal was constructed on the north side of the airport. The terminal is served by I-10, and bus services connect the airport to downtown New Orleans. The rental car facility is located on the south side of the airfield, next to the former terminal.
The airport provides a Military Lounge, where volunteers greet visitors and keep supplies stocked. The MSY K9 KREWE helps relieve stress and provides comfort to anxious travellers. The airport also features a live music programme, with musicians performing as part of an initiative by the City of New Orleans Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy.
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ID requirements
The main airport in New Orleans is the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY, ICAO: KMSY, FAA LID: MSY). The airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
As of May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all air travellers aged 18 and above to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. REAL ID-compliant cards are typically marked with a star at the top, while state-issued enhanced driver's licenses feature a flag. Passengers without a REAL ID or an approved alternative may encounter delays, enhanced screening, and potential denial at TSA checkpoints.
If you do not possess a REAL ID, alternative forms of identification, such as a passport, passport card, military ID, or Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC Card), are accepted. It is recommended that you check with your state's driver's license agency if you are uncertain about the REAL ID compliance of your card. Additionally, you can refer to the TSA website (tsa.gov) for detailed information.
It is important to note that the REAL ID requirement applies to both domestic flights within the United States and visits to federal facilities. This mandate ensures that travellers are prepared with the necessary identification documents when travelling through airports, such as the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where REAL ID enforcement is in place.
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Frequently asked questions
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
The IATA code for the airport is MSY.
The airport is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The airport has two runways.
You will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport.
