The New MSY Terminal 

November 6th, 2019

Now Boarding for MSY! The ribbon has been cut; today is the grand opening of the new MSY terminal at the Louis Armstrong International Airport with its first flights arriving late last night. The brand new $1 billion terminal will completely replace all existing airport facilities. Construction began in January of 2016 and finished early this year; the building is a vast improvement from the original 60-year-old airport. The terminal spans 972,000 square feet and includes 35 gates split up into three concourses, one being dedicated specifically to international flights. New features include an in-line baggage screening system, three curbside check-in locations, centralized security checkpoint (the width of a football field!), a pet relief area post-security for those flying with pets, fully automated restrooms with sanitary seat covers, more chargers/outlet ports available in gate areas, and free high-speed Wi-Fi! The concourses offer many local shops and restaurants including Fleurty Girl, Angelo Brocato’s, NOLA Couture, MoPho, Midway Pizza, Café Du Monde, and more New Orleans staples. The airport will also feature national chains like Shake Shack, Chic Fil A, and Starbucks. For those nervous jet-setters, the airport will be home to a pack of therapy dogs to soothe weary travelers. Keep an eye out for the MSY canine krewe, they’ll be wearing purple vests!
So here’s what you need to know if you’re traveling through MSY on or after November 6th… you’ll need to take a different route to access the airport. There are three new parking facilities with over 8,000 spots; lookout for signs pointing to transportation options because there are now two exit points instead of one. ACCENT-DMC can alleviate your transportation needs, as we have experience working with the best drivers in the city and can connect you with an option that best fits your groups’ needs. For those either dropping off or picking up from the new airport, you’ll need to take the Loyola Drive exit off of I-10 to access Terminal Drive, the Airport’s new dedicated roadway system. From there you can easily follow signage for arrivals, departures, and parking. International visitors, please note that the new Louisiana Tax-Free Shopping refund center is still two weeks out from being operational. While immediate tax refunds are not available you can visit any information booth set up throughout the new airport to apply for your sales tax refund by mail.
In the exclusive images below, you can see how modern and airy the interior layout and design is for the new facility. The new space can be described as an innovative, contemporary, and state of the art design while staying true to New Orleans traditions and roots by including pictures from around the city. The new design highlights the use of natural light and industrial elements to create a more open and refreshing environment for our travelers. Make sure to look up before going through security to see the aerodynamic look of the ceiling. The new MSY Terminal is not only good news for travelers, but it is also expected to increase the airport’s economic impact by approximately 20% in the next five years and will support 64,000 jobs and $6.4 billion in local spending giving those local brands a chance to shine. Whether you are a local or just dropping through, New Orleans welcomes you to our new and improved Louis Armstrong International Airport. Come on down to the Big Easy, and stay a while!