Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our New Orleans Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
there was a box of pillows and blankets in the waiting area near the seats. – Dave
MSY Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport.
What to Expect
New Orleans Airport (Code: MSY) is a single terminal (newly completed in 2019) consisting of a bright and airy three-level central hall connected to three concourses (A, B and C). The ground level consists of the baggage claim and arrivals curbsides; the second level houses the security checkpoint with access to the concourses; and the third level is home to the ticketing hall and the departures curbside. There are two food-court style areas near the entrances to concourses B and C, as well as additional eateries and shops down the center of both of those concourses. Concourse A is primarily used for international flights and tends to be less crowded than B or C. The airport offers a festive air, with live music, colourful decor, comfortable seating, WiFi, and plenty of power outlets for charging mobile devices. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first-class lounge.
Sleeping in New Orleans Airport
Recent passenger reviews state that the terminal is not the most comfortable place to sleep, with lights kept on overnight and most seating featuring armrests. One reviewer recommends the area between Panda Express and Starbucks in Concourse B; there is a bench to lie on and power outlets. If you have the budget, here are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more information.
Read traveller reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our New Orleans Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Remember that TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near New Orleans Airport that provide free airport shuttles. Shuttles pick up at the Transportation Center, located on the 1st floor across from the baggage claim area.
- Holiday Inn New Orleans Airport North » Check Rates
- Comfort Inn & Suites » Check Rates
- Hilton New Orleans Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in New Orleans, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- The Club MSY – Location: Airside, adjacent to the entrance to Concourse B. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- United Lounge – Location: Airside, Concourse C, Gate C7. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
- Delta Sky Club – Location: Airside, Concourse C, Gate 1. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounge
Military Lounge – Location: Landside, Level 3 check-in. Lounge that is free of charge to active US military members and their families. Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Related Pages: New Orleans Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
At the time of this update, there were no 24-hour food concessions. Many food concessions begin to open at 3:30 AM. Vending machines are also available. Bring your water bottle! There are 11 water bottle filling stations once you have passed through security.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Location: Level 1, Arrivals, Landside.
Mobile Charging
Charging stations and power outlets are available throughout the landside and airside areas of the terminal.
Showers
Available at the Club MSY priority pass lounge airside with access fee.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at New Orleans Airport. Connect to the “#MSY-FI” network. You have up to 5 MBPS on the free version or purchase faster speed through Boingo.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Baby Care Facilities – Feed and care for your baby in comfort and privacy in the Mother’s Rooms. Changing tables, comfortable seating, and power outlets are available. Dedicated mothers’ rooms and family restrooms are available on each concourse.
Banking Services – Whitney Bank is located in Concourse C, Airside. Hours: Unknown.
Currency Exchange – Travelex counter is near the United Airlines and Delta check-in desks, Landside. Hours: Unknown.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Some airport shops provide duty-free shopping. In addition, the airport offers a good variety of shops to pass the time.
Information Desk – Location: Landside, outside baggage claim, ground level of the terminal. Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Live Music – The airport periodically hosts live music at the “jazz garden” stage located Landside in the middle of the terminal arrivals level and other locations airside.
Meditation Room – Location: Level 2, Departures, Airside.
MSY Guest Pass – Non-ticketed passengers can now access the secure zone and enjoy over 40 concessions. The pass is available daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Register here.
Pet Relief Area – Designated pet relief areas are located in these locations: Airside, near Shake Shack • Landside, Level 1, in between the terminal and short-term parking.
Police / Security – Location: Landside, Level 2, near Leah’s Kitchen.
Post Office – There is a mailbox located Landside, Level 1, near baggage claim.
SIM Cards – SIM cards can be purchased at the InMotion store. Location: Airside, near gate C1. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Smoking – There are designated smoking areas on the upper and lower ramps outside the terminal. Smoking is prohibited in front of the outside entrances.
Tax-Free Shopping – International travellers can receive a refund on any sales tax paid at participating merchants in Louisiana. To qualify, you must present a foreign passport, an international ticket and be in the country for less than 90 days. Most shops in the airport participate in the program, and there is a tax-free counter where you can get refunds. Location: Level 2, near Leah’s Kitchen.
Bus
Jefferson Transit (JET) – The Veterans (E1) bus takes passengers from MSY Airport to downtown. Travel time: approx. 50 minutes. Fare $2.00. For schedules and more info, visit the Jefferson Transit website.
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) – The Airport Express (202) Bus also connects the airport to downtown New Orleans with two pick-up locations (Elk Place at Cleveland or the Union Passenger Terminal/Bus Bay 2). Fare: $1.25. For schedules and more info, visit the RTA website.
Car Rentals
Car rentals are handled in the MSY Consolidated Rental Car Facility. A shuttle to the building departs from near the Long Term Parking Garage (exit the terminal on Level 1, Baggage Claim) every five minutes and is 15-20 minutes driving time. Buses run 24-hours. The following car rental agencies are located on-site: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western Plus New Orleans Airport Hotel • Comfort Inn New Orleans Airport • Comfort Inn & Suites New Orleans Airport North • Days Inn New Orleans Airport • Doubletree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans Airport • Hampton Inn Metairie • Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Airport • Hilton New Orleans Airport • Holiday Inn New Orleans Airport North • Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport South • La Quinta Inn & Suites New Orleans Airport • Wyndham Garden Hotel New Orleans Airport.
Shuttles depart from the Ground Transportation Center, outside Level 1 Baggage Claim (Doors 1 – 5).
See also Airport Hotels above.
Ride Apps
Ride Apps, including Lyft and Uber, pick up passengers from Level 1 Baggage Claim.
Shuttles
Go Airport Shuttle New Orleans offers door-to-door shared-ride shuttle service between the airport and hotels in downtown New Orleans. At the time of this update, a one-way fare between the airport and the French Quarter is $30. Tickets can be purchased at the Airport Shuttle booth on Level 1 Baggage Claim between Doors 3 and 4.
Taxis
Taxis are in a dedicated taxi loading zone on the Arrivals Curb outside Level 1 Baggage Claim Door 7. At the time of this update, the fare between the airport and CBD (Central Business District) or French Quarter was $36 for up to two passengers. For three or more, the rate increases by $15 per passenger. A $1 fuel surcharge will also be added per trip.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.