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About Louis Armstrong New Orleans Intl. Airport

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is located in Kenner, Louisiana, within Jefferson Parish, about 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans. Opened to commercial civil air traffic in May 1946 as Moisant Field, the airport is owned by the City of New Orleans and governed by the New Orleans Aviation Board. It serves as the primary air gateway for Greater New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana, supporting tourism, business travel, conventions, cruise connections and regional economic activity.

The airport operates from a modern, consolidated passenger terminal with domestic and international processing areas, three concourses and more than 30 gates. Designed to handle roughly 12 million passengers per year, MSY offers check-in halls, security screening, baggage facilities, customs and border services, lounges, retail, dining, parking, rental cars, ground transportation and two runways. Traffic is strongest during Mardi Gras, spring festivals, major conventions, holidays and cruise seasons, while demand is typically more moderate during quieter late-summer and early-fall periods.

Airlines serving Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport include Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Breeze Airways, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada and British Airways, among others. Key direct routes include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Charlotte, Washington, Seattle and Las Vegas, with international flights to destinations such as London, Toronto and Cancun depending on schedule and season. Demand for flight tickets is supported by a balanced mix of domestic flights, international flights, leisure visitors, local passengers and event-driven travel.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans Intl. Airport to New Orleans City Center Transport

Transport from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to New Orleans city center is available by public bus, airport shuttle or group shuttle, taxi, rental car, and pre-booked private transfer. There is no direct metro or tram line from the airport to downtown New Orleans.

Bus

Municipal buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel from New Orleans Airport to the city center. Services depart from the airport terminal area and connect MSY with downtown New Orleans in about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and the exact stop.

• RTA 202 Airport Express: connects the airport with downtown stops such as Elk Place, Union Passenger Terminal, Poydras Street, and Convention Center Boulevard.
• Jefferson Transit E1 Veterans-Airport: links the airport with City Park Avenue, where passengers can connect to other New Orleans transit routes.

Airport Shuttle

Regular airport shuttle services operate between MSY and major New Orleans areas, though availability can vary and some services may focus on groups, conventions, or advance reservations. Average travel time to the city center is usually 30 to 60 minutes, depending on hotel stops and traffic.

• Downtown New Orleans hotels
• French Quarter hotels
• Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
• Cruise ship terminals

Taxi

Taxis are available 24/7 from the airport ground transportation area and offer a direct ride to downtown New Orleans, the French Quarter, and nearby central neighborhoods. The average taxi journey from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to the city center takes about 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Car Rental

Car rental is a convenient option for travelers planning to explore areas beyond central New Orleans. Major rental companies have airport offices, and passengers can follow terminal signs for rental car pickup after exiting the arrivals area.

Transfer

A private airport transfer is the most comfortable door-to-door option from New Orleans Airport to the city center. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for late-night arrivals, families, business travelers, or passengers carrying extra luggage.