MSY · New Orleans, LA · Large Hub
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 1 terminal
- Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
- Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
- Free WiFi: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has 1 terminal. Transfer system: Walking only.
Main Terminal (three concourses), opened 2019
10 airlines: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and more
Opened in 2019 with three concourses and 35 gates.
Minimum connection times
- Domestic to domestic
- 30 min
- Domestic to international
- 1 hr
- International to domestic
- 1 hr 30 min
- International to international
- 1 hr 30 min
- Transfer system
- Walking only
- Airside connected
- Not published
Layover helper
Find how long to plan for a connection at MSY: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.
Writing about MSY? Embed this connection time calculator on your site
Security & TSA
Security waits at MSY vary by time of day and checkpoint. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.
- TSA PreCheck
- Available
- CLEAR
- Available
- Global Entry
- Available
Amenities
3 of 7 core amenities available at MSY: free WiFi, nursing rooms, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated very good. Dining options span 1 terminal.
Showers
Not available
Sleep pods
Not available
WiFi
Free (very good)
New airport with modern WiFi.
Nursing rooms
Available
Multiple locations
Chapel
Not available
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Main: Leah's Kitchen, Emeril's Table, Cafe du Monde
Ground transport to New Orleans
No official source we checked publishes a ride time from MSY to downtown New Orleans.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
Uber/Lyft Rideshare | Varies | Varies |
Airport taxi Taxi Flat fare to the Central Business District or French Quarter for up to two passengers; $15 per passenger for three or more. | $36 | Varies |
Jefferson Transit E1 Bus Veterans-Airport bus toward City Park Avenue in New Orleans; $1.50 within Jefferson Parish, $2 into New Orleans. The RTA Airport Express (202) to downtown is $1.25. | $1.50-$2 | Varies |
Sailing from Port of New Orleans? Step-by-step: MSY to Port of New Orleans
Parking
MSY parking ranges from $12/day economy to $26/day short-term. Official daily maximums: Short-Term Garage $26, Long-Term Garage $22, Economy Lot $12, Surface Lot $20, Valet $36 (6 AM-midnight). Credit card only.
- Short-term
- $26/day
- Long-term
- $22/day
- Economy
- $12/day
- Valet
- $36/day
Can I leave MSY during a layover?
With a 3-hour layover, stay inside MSY. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of New Orleans.
Taxis charge a $36 flat fare from the airport to the French Quarter or CBD for up to two passengers. 5+ hour layovers can grab beignets and return.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$Hilton New Orleans AirportOn-airport
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at MSY?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.
What is the minimum connection time at MSY?
MSY requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Walking only.
Can I leave MSY during a 6-hour layover?
With 3 hours you should stay inside MSY. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Taxis charge a $36 flat fare from the airport to the French Quarter or CBD for up to two passengers. 5+ hour layovers can grab beignets and return.
Does MSY have showers?
MSY does not have dedicated public showers. Paid lounge access is typically required for shower facilities.
Does MSY have sleep pods?
MSY does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.
Is WiFi free at MSY?
Yes. MSY offers free WiFi throughout the airport. New airport with modern WiFi.
What is the cheapest way to get from MSY to New Orleans?
The cheapest option is typically Jefferson Transit E1 at $1.50-$2, taking a variable amount of time. Veterans-Airport bus toward City Park Avenue in New Orleans; $1.50 within Jefferson Parish, $2 into New Orleans. The RTA Airport Express (202) to downtown is $1.25.
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at MSY?
MSY supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint.
Where should I eat at MSY during a layover?
Notable dining at MSY includes Leah's Kitchen (Main), Emeril's Table (Main), Cafe du Monde (Main).
How much does parking cost at MSY?
MSY parking rates: $26/day short-term, $22/day long-term, $12/day economy, $36/day valet. Official daily maximums: Short-Term Garage $26, Long-Term Garage $22, Economy Lot $12, Surface Lot $20, Valet $36 (6 AM-midnight). Credit card only.
Is there a hotel at MSY for overnight layovers?
Yes. Hilton New Orleans Airport is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.
Are there pet relief areas at MSY?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Can I cruise from New Orleans?
Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of MSY: Port of New Orleans (12 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.
Compare MSY to other airports
See how MSY ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.
More on New Orleans and MSY
Go deeper on connecting through MSY and on visiting New Orleans.
Airlines operating at MSY
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of MSY.
Pack for your New Orleans trip
Destination packing lists for cities served by MSY.
Cruise ports near MSY
Cruise terminals within 100 miles of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Compare other airports
Sources & verification
- Overview: https://flymsy.com
- Ground transport: https://flymsy.com/ground-transportation/ https://flymsy.com/taxis-2/ https://flymsy.com/public-transportation/
- Terminals: https://flymsy.com/new-orleans-airport-named-one-of-the-top-3-airports-in-the-country/
- Connection times: https://www.expertflyer.com/air/travel-information https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/WelcomeToTheUS.pdf
- Security: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/schedule https://flymsy.com/faqs/
- Parking: https://flymsy.com/parking/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong_New_Orleans_International_Airport
Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport before flying.
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