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), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To New Orleans: about 30 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Terminals & connections

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has 1 terminal. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security.

New Terminal (Concourses A, B, C, D), opened 2019

11 airlines: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and more

Brand new terminal replaced the old facility in 2019; all airside-connected.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
45 min
International to domestic
1 hr 15 min
International to international
1 hr
Transfer system
Walking only (all concourses airside-connected)
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave MSY.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at MSY is 20 minutes at peak and 5 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

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

MSY is about 30 min from downtown New Orleans by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
To French Quarter.
 $25-$45 25-40 min
Jefferson Transit E-2
Bus
To CBD.
 $2 45-75 min

Parking

MSY parking ranges from $10/day economy to $32/day short-term.

Short-term
$32/day
Long-term
$17/day
Economy
$10/day
Valet
Not available

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. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr plus re-screening on return.

French Quarter is 25-40 min by rideshare. 5+ hour layovers can grab beignets and return.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Hilton New Orleans Airport
    On-airport
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at MSY?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from MSY, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at MSY?

MSY requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All concourses are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing concourses.

How long does it take to get between terminals at MSY?

Budget 5 min for same-terminal transfers and 10 min for different-terminal transfers at MSY via Walking only (all concourses airside-connected).

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. Round-trip to the city center is about 60 minutes plus re-screening. French Quarter is 25-40 min by rideshare. 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 E-2 at $2, taking 45-75 minutes. To CBD.

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. Typical peak-hour wait is 20 minutes.

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: $32/day short-term, $17/day long-term, $10/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

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.

Compare MSY to other airports

See how MSY ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers MSY is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT MSY dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

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.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport before flying.