MSY Airport Map – New Orleans Terminal Guide (2025)

Navigating MSY has gotten complicated with all the conflicting info flying around. I flew into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport three times last year alone, and every single trip I found myself squinting at some outdated terminal map on my phone wondering if I was headed the right direction. So here’s what I actually learned from walking the place myself.

The Terminal Setup at MSY

First thing to know: MSY is one terminal. That threw me off the first time because I kept looking for Terminal 2 or some separate building for international flights. Nope. It’s a single, fairly modern terminal building split into three concourses — A, B, and C. Probably should have led with this, but the whole single-terminal design honestly makes life easier once you stop overthinking it. Everything’s under one roof, which means shorter walks between gates and less chance of ending up in the wrong building entirely.

Concourse A

Concourse A handles mostly domestic flights. You’ll find Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit operating out of here. I grabbed a surprisingly decent coffee from one of the cafes near Gate A12 on a 6 AM flight once — not a Starbucks, just a local spot that actually tasted like someone cared. There are charging stations scattered around, which saved me more than once when my phone was dying. The seating areas are reasonable. Not amazing, but you won’t be standing around like cattle either.

Concourse B

This is Southwest country. If you’re flying Southwest, you’re probably walking to Concourse B, and it gets crowded. That’s not a complaint exactly — it’s just the reality of Southwest being wildly popular out of New Orleans. Dining options here range from fast grab-and-go stuff to sit-down places where you can actually have a real meal before boarding. I once killed a two-hour layover at a po’boy stand near the gates and honestly didn’t mind the delay at all. There are also a few retail shops if you forgot to grab a gift for whoever’s picking you up.

Concourse C

Concourse C is where things get a bit more interesting because it handles both domestic and international flights. Delta, United, and American all fly out of this concourse. If you’re coming in from outside the US, customs is here too. There’s duty-free shopping for international departures, which I’ve only used once, but the prices were decent on liquor. The gate areas felt slightly less packed than Concourse B, though that could’ve been the time of day I was there.

Food and Drinks at MSY

Okay, this is New Orleans we’re talking about. The food situation at MSY is better than most airports, and I don’t say that lightly. You can get legit Cajun and Creole dishes — not just airport versions of them that taste like they came from a microwave. There are also the usual fast food chains if you’re in a rush, and a handful of cafes serving pastries and espresso drinks for those brutal early departures. I’ll be honest, I’ve intentionally shown up early to flights just to eat at the airport here. That’s what makes MSY endearing — it actually feels like New Orleans, not some generic terminal that could be anywhere in the country.

Shopping Options

The shopping isn’t going to blow your mind, but it covers the bases well enough. You’ve got some fashion-oriented stores, convenience shops for snacks and magazines and phone chargers, and New Orleans gift shops selling hot sauce and Mardi Gras beads and all the classics. I grabbed a bottle of local hot sauce for my brother once and he still talks about it two years later, so the souvenir game is real here.

Wi-Fi, Charging, and Work Spaces

Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. It actually works pretty well — I’ve done video calls on it without dropping, which is more than I can say for some bigger airports. Charging stations are at multiple spots, though the ones near popular gates fill up fast, so look for the less obvious ones tucked between seats farther from the action. There are business center areas too if you need a proper workspace with a desk and some quiet, but I’ve never used them personally.

Getting Around if You Have Accessibility Needs

The terminal is ADA-compliant with elevators and escalators connecting the different levels. Accessible restrooms are placed throughout, and there’s designated accessible parking near the entrance. I traveled with my dad after his knee surgery last spring and we didn’t have any real issues getting around, so they’ve done a solid job on this front from what I’ve seen.

Ground Transportation from MSY

This is where people tend to get tripped up, so pay attention here.

Public transit: The Jefferson Transit E2 bus line runs between MSY and downtown New Orleans. It’s cheap and it works. Schedules are posted at the info desks inside the terminal. I took it once heading to the French Quarter area and it was straightforward — just not fast. Budget about 45 minutes depending on traffic and stops.

Taxis: Available around the clock from a designated stand right outside baggage claim. There’s a flat rate to the French Quarter area, which I appreciated because nobody wants to watch a meter climb in New Orleans traffic.

Ride-sharing: Uber and Lyft have a dedicated pickup zone. Follow the signs from baggage claim — it’s not far at all. Prices fluctuate obviously, but it’s usually been cheaper than a taxi for me heading out to Metairie or Kenner.

Rental Cars

All the major rental companies are on-site, with desks right near baggage claim. I’d recommend booking ahead of time because walk-up rates at MSY were steep the last time I checked. The pickup area is well-signed so you won’t wander around lost, which is more than I can say about some rental car experiences I’ve had at other airports.

Parking at MSY

• Short-term parking: Good for pickups and drop-offs, but it gets expensive quick if you leave your car there for any length of time.
• Long-term parking: More reasonable daily rates. Solid choice if you’re gone for a few days and want to be relatively close.
• Economy lots: Cheapest option by far. Shuttle buses run regularly between the lots and the terminal, so the trade-off is just a few extra minutes.

Security and Check-In

TSA PreCheck lanes are available at MSY, and if you’ve got it, use it — the regular lines can get long during peak morning and evening hours. Check-in counters are toward the front of the terminal, and there are self-service kiosks if you want to skip the counter line. Most airlines also offer mobile check-in, which I always do the night before because I hate standing in lines for things I can do on my phone while eating a beignet in the parking garage.

Airport Lounges

If you want a quieter spot with free drinks and snacks, there are a couple of lounges worth knowing about.

The Delta Sky Club is in Concourse C. It’s solid — good selection of drinks, comfortable seating, and definitely quieter than the gate area chaos. You need Delta status or a membership to get in, but day passes pop up sometimes.

The United Club is also in Concourse C. Similar vibe: snacks, drinks, magazines, a place to sit without someone’s rolling bag smashing into your ankles every five minutes. Day passes are usually available for purchase if you’re not a member and just want a break.

Look, MSY won’t win awards for being the biggest or flashiest airport out there. But it reflects the city it serves, and that counts for something in my book. The food is genuinely good, the layout keeps things simple with that one-terminal setup, and if you know where you’re going ahead of time, you can get through it without breaking a sweat. That’s honestly all I ask from an airport at this point.