Key Highlights
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Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the main airport for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast area of the United States.
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The airport had a big update not long ago, so now it has a top-level terminal complex.
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MSY is the main spot for commercial flights inside the country and for flights from other countries to the city.
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New Orleans Lakefront Airport is the second airport in the city. It is used mostly for general aviation.
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You can find different ground transportation options at MSY. It is easy to get to Downtown New Orleans from the airport.
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The airport has special shops and things to do that bring you a real New Orleans experience.
Introduction
Welcome to New Orleans! This city is known for its bright history, strong culture, and great music. Your time here starts as soon as you get off the plane. Most people will land at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, the main airport for the city of New Orleans. This airport is made to give you a friendly start to the city. Be ready to see all that New Orleans has for you to enjoy.
Overview of New Orleans Airports
When you plan your trip to New Orleans, you will see that there are two main airports in the area. The main airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Most people use this airport because it handles most of the flights in and out of the city. If you are visiting, you will probably land at this airport.
The second airport is the New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW). It is not used for big flights very much. This airport is there for general flying and for private planes. Large airlines do not usually use it. Knowing the difference between these two airports will help you pick the right New Orleans airport for your trip.
Major Airports Serving New Orleans
The New Orleans area has two main airports. Each one is used in a different way. Most people who travel for fun or work go to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). This is the biggest airport you will find within 300 miles. Over 84% of people who get on planes in Louisiana use this airport. For most trips in or out of the city, it is the best choice for commercial flights.
On the other hand, the New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW) is what you call a general aviation reliever airport. That means it is there for private planes, charter planes, and any other planes that are not flying with a commercial airline. This helps keep the bigger international airport less crowded.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
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Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): The main airport you use for domestic flights and if you want to fly out of the country.
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New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW): The general aviation reliever airport where private and charter planes take off and land.
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MSY: Every year, millions of people from all over the world travel through this airport.
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NEW: This airport mainly helps private pilots and business planes.
Key Differences Between MSY and Lakefront Airport
Understanding the differences between the two New Orleans airports is simple. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the bustling hub for all major airlines and the gateway to the city of New Orleans for most visitors. If you’re booking a ticket on a commercial airline, MSY is where you’ll be headed.
On the other hand, the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, historically known as Shushan Airport, is not used for scheduled commercial flights. Its primary function is to support general aviation, which includes private planes, corporate jets, and flight training. You wouldn’t typically book a flight to your New Orleans vacation through this airport.
This table highlights the main distinctions:
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Feature |
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) |
New Orleans Lakefront Airport |
|---|---|---|
|
Primary Use |
Commercial passenger flights (domestic & international) |
General aviation (private & charter) |
|
Main Travelers |
Tourists, business travelers, general public |
Private pilots, corporate clients |
|
Airline Service |
Hosts numerous major and budget airlines |
No scheduled commercial airline service |
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) Essentials
When you get to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), you will find things easy from the start. The terminal complex is made to help all travelers. The customer service desk is there if you need help, and there are comfortable seating areas for you to rest. As you go through the new orleans international airport, you can check out shopping options and stop by places to eat like Shake Shack. If you use TSA PreCheck or need wheelchair assistance, the airport offers both. This way, every person can have a pleasant trip at louis armstrong new orleans international airport and start their adventure in new orleans on a good note.
Location and Accessibility from Downtown
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport sits at 1 Terminal Drive in Kenner, Louisiana. Kenner is a small place next to the city of New Orleans. Because of this, people can get to Downtown New Orleans and other spots around it with ease. The airport is close to main roadways, so the drive into the city is clear and simple.
Once you land, you will see a Ground Transportation center that is there to help you get where you need to go. You might rent a car, call for a ride-sharing service, or take a taxi. There are signs all over to show you the right spot for each ride. You can use short-term, long-term, or economy garages if you come in your own car.
If you want to use public travel, bus fare for the Regional Transit Authority may change, so you should look at their main site for up-to-date info. There are more than one way to travel between new orleans international airport and Downtown New Orleans. Many service groups help make this trip, and getting downtown is easy from louis armstrong new orleans international airport.
Airlines Operating at MSY
You can choose from many airlines when you fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The airport works with many airlines so you get flights to a lot of places in the country and even some flights outside the country. Because there are many choices, you can find good prices and a flight that fits your needs when you come to New Orleans.
If you want to use a big airline or a low-cost one, the New Orleans airport gives you both choices. Lately, the airport said new flights are starting and some will run more often. This is happening with many airlines—especially during big events like Mardi Gras. So, now it is much easier to visit New Orleans.
Some airlines that fly at New Orleans International Airport are:
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Alaska Airlines
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Allegiant
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Breeze Airways
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Frontier Airlines
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Other big airlines like United Airlines and Spirit Airlines are there too.
Facilities and Services at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
The new terminal complex at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is made to be helpful and easy for you. The workers at this airport want you to have a good trip. The airport has won awards for how it treats people. That means you can have a comfy and nice time while you travel. From the start at check-in until you get on your flight, you will find that it is clean, up-to-date, and simple to get around.
This international airport is more than a stop to take a plane. There is a lot for you to do. As you walk through the terminal, you will find many things that make your day better. There are spots to eat, places to shop, and areas where you can sit and relax. Now, we will talk more about these ways to eat, shop, and rest at the new orleans international airport.
Dining and Shopping Options
Your trip to New Orleans starts with good taste because the food at the airport shows off the city’s famous flavors. No matter if you are in Concourse B, Concourse C, or somewhere else in the terminal, you will find many dining choices. You can get a quick meal at places like Shake Shack or sit down for something more relaxing. There is something for everyone.
The shopping options are wide and full of things to try. You can get any travel needs at the last minute, or you can find a gift to help you remember your year in New Orleans. One store, Dirty Coast, is a popular local place. They sell New Orleans-based t-shirts with fun and clever designs, so you can take a bit of the city’s spirit back home.
Here are some of the things you can enjoy:
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A wide selection of restaurants and eateries.
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Local and national retail stores.
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Unique souvenir shops like Dirty Coast.
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Duty-free shopping for international travelers.
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Convenience stores for snacks and drinks.
Passenger Amenities and Airport Lounges
The airport gives you more than just places to shop and eat. There are many other things to help make your travel day better. If you are in the military or with your family, you can go to the Military Lounge. It is a quiet place where you can sit and rest. The airport also lets people give snacks and toiletries, so this service can support more people. You may also see the MSY K9 KREWE. This group of therapy dogs walks around the terminal to help people feel less stress and bring smiles to travelers.
If you want something special on your trip, you can go relax in one of the airport lounges. Areas like The Club MSY and the Delta Sky Club give you comfortable seating, drinks, and a calm place away from the busy terminal. These lounges are a good pick for business travelers who need to work or for leisure travelers who want to start their vacation early and enjoy some peace.
All around the airport, you can find seats that are comfortable, spots to charge your devices, and free Wi-Fi. The plan is to make your time here easy and nice before you get on your flight.
Alternate Airports Near New Orleans
Louis Armstrong International is the main hub for flights, but it is not the only airport in New Orleans. If you need to use a private or charter plane, the New Orleans Lakefront Airport is a good choice. This lakefront airport does not handle normal passenger flights, but it is still an important part of travel in this area.
You will also find other airports near New Orleans. For example, there are airports in Baton Rouge and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. Still, most people who come to New Orleans by plane land at MSY. This is the main and easiest airport for most travelers.
New Orleans Lakefront Airport Features
The New Orleans Lakefront Airport, once called Shushan Airport, is an important place in the history of flying in New Orleans. You can find it right by the water at Lake Pontchartrain. Now, the main job of this airport is to serve the people who fly small planes, like private pilots, business jets, and those who book charter flights.
This airport is known for its special look and its place in history. It may not be as big as a new international airport, but it gives people what they need when flying smaller planes. The goal is to make things easy and smooth for those who come here.
Key things about New Orleans Lakefront Airport:
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It helps out as a general aviation reliever airport.
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It is good for private and charter flights.
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The historic terminal building used to have the name Shushan Airport.
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The airport sits on the edge of Lake Pontchartrain.
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It does not have big airline flights for the public.
Usage, Flights, and Transportation at Lakefront Airport
The New Orleans Lakefront Airport is mainly used for special needs. As a general aviation reliever airport, it does not have the kind of regular domestic flights you book when you want to go on vacation. Instead, the runways are for people who have their own planes, companies with business jets, and on-demand charter flights. This helps the main international airport in New Orleans, MSY, focus on regular commercial flights with lots of people.
Since it works mostly with private clients, people going to or from the Lakefront Airport usually set up their transport ahead of time. They might leave their own car at the airport or arrange for a car service to help them travel. There is no big transportation layout at the Lakefront Airport. You will not find things like many taxis lined up or bus shuttles running in loops, like you see at a big international airport.
So, if you are planning a visit to New Orleans for work or just for fun, you probably will not use the Lakefront Airport. It is an important part of flying in the city, but it is different from other airports that handle most regular travel.
Conclusion
In the end, getting around the airports in New Orleans does not have to be hard. When you know the main choices, like the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and the Lakefront Airport, you will find your way more easily. The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is always busy, while Lakefront Airport feels smaller and more quiet, but both have the things people need when they travel. With this guide, you can look forward to your time in the city and not worry as much about getting there. If you want travel tips made just for you, or if you have questions about your trip, you can talk to our travel experts for a free meeting.