NOLA airport code explained: MSY travel information that solves the next step
Travelers searching for the NOLA airport code usually mean Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The correct passenger code is MSY, not NOLA. Use this guide to verify the code, understand the terminal, compare parking, plan TSA, find rideshare and taxi pickup, use public transit, return a rental car and avoid the old-terminal mistake.
Check these official MSY sources before leaving
These links open the organizations that control the information. The guide does not copy a gate, delay, parking-space count or transit departure into static text and then label it “live.”
What is the NOLA airport code?
MSY is the airport code travelers should use for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. “NOLA” is a common nickname and shorthand for New Orleans, but it is not the airport’s three-letter IATA code.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
The airport’s official history says MSY stands for Moisant Stock Yards. Commercial service began at Moisant Field in 1946, the airport became New Orleans International Airport in 1960, and it was renamed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in 2001. The established MSY identifier stayed in use through each name change.
| Identifier | Meaning | Typical use | Traveler action |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSY | IATA passenger airport code | Bookings, boarding passes, baggage tags, flight status | Use this for normal passenger travel |
| KMSY | ICAO airport identifier | Flight planning, technical aviation systems, aeronautical data | Use when an aviation source specifically asks for ICAO |
| NOLA | Common shorthand for New Orleans | Informal city reference and search wording | Do not enter NOLA as the airport code |
MSY aviation facts translated for passengers
FAA aeronautical data identifies Louis Armstrong New Orleans International as MSY / KMSY, approximately 10 miles west of New Orleans. The FAA lists the field elevation at roughly 3 feet and identifies two primary runways, 02/20 and 11/29.
FAA ID
MSY
ICAO
KMSY
Runways
02/20 and 11/29
Elevation
About 3 feet
Build a quick MSY travel plan
These tools use the verified planning rules and published parking maximums described on this page. They do not pull live airline, road, TSA or parking-capacity data.
Airport-code checker
Useful when a booking, message or pickup plan contains “NOLA,” “MSY” or “KMSY.”
Airport-arrival calculator
Uses MSY’s baseline of two hours for domestic departures and three hours for international departures.
Parking cost estimator
Simple full-day estimate using current posted daily maximums. Reservations and partial-day charges may differ.
Pickup readiness estimator
Landing time is not curb-ready time. This planning estimate adds deplaning, baggage and immigration time where applicable.
New Orleans airport terminal and concourse guide
MSY’s present passenger operation uses one modern terminal with Concourses A, B and C. The terminal opened on November 6, 2019. After clearing the centralized security checkpoint, passengers can reach all three concourses without changing terminals or taking an inter-terminal train.
Concourse A
Passenger gates and international-capable facilities are located in this part of the terminal. Always follow the gate on the airline app or airport flight display.
Concourse B
Handles domestic passenger operations and connects directly to the post-security central area. The airport’s lounge directory should be checked for current lounge locations and hours.
Concourse C
Handles additional domestic and international airline operations. Gate assignments remain flight-specific rather than permanently tied to this guide.
Level 3
Ticketing and check-in. Airline counters, participating curbside check-in and the connection toward the Short Term Garage are on this level.
Level 2
Security and concourses. The consolidated TSA checkpoint provides access to Concourses A, B and C.
Level 1
Baggage and ground transport. Baggage claim, customer assistance, buses, taxis, ride apps and other arrival services are concentrated here.
Which airlines currently serve MSY?
The airport’s current airline directory lists the carriers below. Routes, seasonal service and operating schedules change, so use the airline actually operating your flight for check-in, baggage rules, accessibility arrangements and gate confirmation.
MSY security, arrival time and identification
The consolidated security checkpoint is on Level 2. MSY currently publishes checkpoint hours beginning at 3:30 a.m. and continuing until shortly before the last scheduled departure. Airline ticket counters and baggage desks have separate schedules, so an open TSA checkpoint does not mean your airline is already accepting checked luggage.
Domestic baseline
MSY recommends arriving at least two hours before scheduled domestic departure.
International baseline
MSY recommends arriving at least three hours before scheduled international departure.
Acceptable ID
Adults 18 and older should bring TSA-accepted identification. A REAL ID-compliant state credential is one option, but TSA also accepts several alternatives such as a U.S. passport.
Check the operating airline
Confirm departure time, gate, ticket-counter opening time, baggage cutoff and any airline-specific document requirements.
Bring acceptable identification
Since May 7, 2025, a non-REAL-ID-compliant state license is not the normal accepted state credential for TSA screening. Check TSA’s current list if you plan to use another form of ID.
Review baggage restrictions
Use TSA’s searchable permitted-items guidance for liquids, electronics, medications, food and unusual items before packing.
Add task-specific time
Economy parking, rental-car return, checked baggage, children, mobility assistance and peak travel periods can justify arriving earlier than the baseline.
MSY parking rates, remote Economy Garage and reservation rules
MSY offers Valet, Short Term, Long Term, Surface Lot and Economy parking. The current published daily maximums are shown below. Availability and pricing can change, so use the official parking page before travel.
Economy Garage is remote
The Economy Garage is at 900 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062, on the airport’s south campus. A 24/7 airport shuttle connects it with the passenger terminal.
The terminal shuttle pickup for Economy and rental-car passengers is outside Level 1 Baggage Claim near Door 9 on the far curb.
Parking reservations
MSY currently allows advance reservations for its parking facilities. The airport states that reserved parking is non-refundable if cancelled and that changes cannot be made less than 24 hours before the reserved time.
Use the QR code from the confirmation email at the correct facility. Do not pull a separate parking ticket when entering with a reservation, because that can result in an additional charge.
MSY pickup, rideshare and taxi instructions
Do not assume every ground-transport service uses the same curb. MSY assigns different door ranges and curb areas to ride apps, taxis, buses and shuttles, so the useful pickup question is not only “Has the flight landed?” but also “Is the passenger outside with bags and at the correct zone?”
Lyft
Ride-app pickup is outside Level 1 Baggage Claim on the middle curb. MSY currently directs standard Lyft passengers toward Doors 7–9 and the designated queue.
Uber
MSY currently directs UberX riders toward Doors 9–11 on the middle curb. UberX may use a PIN-style queue; other Uber products may use the app-designated pickup zone.
Taxi
Taxis load on the Arrivals Curb outside Level 1 Baggage Claim Door 7.
Public bus, rental car and shuttle options from MSY
Jefferson Parish Transit E1
The Veterans-Airport E1 route connects MSY with Jefferson Parish and the Canal Boulevard/Cemeteries transit area, where riders can continue into New Orleans using RTA services.
MSY currently publishes a JET fare of $1.50 for a trip within Jefferson Parish and $2.00 when traveling into New Orleans. Verify the current route schedule directly with Jefferson Parish Transit before relying on it.
RTA Airport Express 202
The RTA 202 provides airport service toward downtown New Orleans, including the Union Passenger Terminal area and Elk Place/Cleveland corridor.
MSY currently publishes a fare of $1.25 for this route. Check RTA’s live schedule because early, late-night and service-change periods can affect whether the bus fits your flight.
Airport bus pickup
MSY’s current public-transportation guidance directs bus passengers to Level 1 Baggage Claim outside Door 2, Zones B4 and B5.
Because the transit operators control route operations, check the current operator page if airport signage or an online route page gives a different stop instruction.
Rental Car Center
The Rental Car Center is at 600 Rental Boulevard, Kenner, LA 70062. A 24/7 shuttle leaves from the terminal near the Long Term Parking Garage.
The airport says rental-car shuttles typically depart about every five minutes and the drive usually takes roughly 15–20 minutes.
Wheelchair, hidden-disability, adult-changing and pet-relief help
Passengers who need airline-provided wheelchair assistance should arrange it with the operating airline as early as practical. Airport accessibility features support the terminal journey, but they do not replace airline responsibility for flight-related wheelchair service.
Wheelchair assistance
Request wheelchair assistance through the airline when booking or before travel. Day-of-travel requests may also be made at the airline counter, but advance notice gives the airline more time to coordinate help.
Hidden Disabilities program
MSY provides free sunflower lanyards or bracelets through the Customer Service Desk near Baggage Claim on Level 1. The symbol indicates that a traveler may need extra time or understanding; it does not create TSA priority.
TSA Cares
Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions or other screening concerns may contact TSA Cares at 855-787-2227. TSA recommends requesting checkpoint assistance at least 72 hours before travel when possible.
Adult changing tables
Adult changing tables are available in family/companion care restrooms pre-security on Level 2 near the screening checkpoint and post-security near Shake Shack.
Mother’s Rooms
MSY provides a Mother’s Room on each concourse post-security. Use the facility map to identify the room closest to your gate.
Pet relief
A post-security pet relief area is near Shake Shack. The outdoor relief area is on Level 1 between the Short Term Garage and terminal; exit Door 5 and go right.
Services worth knowing before you need them
Free airport Wi-Fi
MSY provides complimentary terminal Wi-Fi. The airport publishes the network name as #MSY-FI.
Water bottle filling
The airport lists 11 bottle-filling stations after security. Bring an empty reusable bottle through TSA and fill it once screened.
Charging
Power outlets are available throughout the terminal, including many gate-area seats and restaurant seating areas.
Live music
Music @ MSY presents regional performers, including jazz, at locations such as the Level 1 Jazz Garden and stages near gates in Concourse B.
Lost property
For terminal Lost & Found, contact MSY Customer Service. Items left on an aircraft or in an airline-controlled area should be reported to the airline; TSA maintains its own Lost & Found for checkpoint items.
No baggage lockers
MSY’s FAQ states that lockers are not available for passenger baggage storage, so plan another storage option before arriving if you need to leave luggage somewhere.
Customs, meeting passengers and international connections
MSY handles international service. Passengers arriving from a location without U.S. preclearance follow the airport’s secured international-arrival path into federal inspection rather than walking directly into the public concourse.
Follow the international-arrival route
Remain on the signed international-arrival path and follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection instructions.
Complete immigration, baggage and Customs steps
Carry the required travel documents. Baggage collection and inspection requirements depend on the itinerary and whether the traveler must connect onward.
Allow more than normal gate-to-gate walking time
Immigration, baggage delivery, Customs, rechecking a bag and returning through TSA may all affect an onward connection.
Meet international arrivals after Customs
MSY’s Guest Pass guidance directs greeters meeting international passengers to the U.S. Customs exit on Level 1 near Door 1.
Can a non-ticketed visitor go through security?
MSY operates the Indulge MSY Guest Pass program, which can allow approved non-ticketed visitors into the post-security area during program hours. Users still undergo normal TSA screening, and passes are not guaranteed during high-volume or special operating periods.
The airport says Guest Pass visitors may enter the post-security area between 3:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. and must leave the sterile area at 8 p.m. Adults using the program must meet the program’s current identification requirements.
2026 MSY construction that can affect planning
Construction does not automatically mean your flight is delayed, but it can change how airport facilities operate and how long ground movement takes. These projects were active or scheduled during this September 2026 review.
Express Shuttle Connector Road
The airport is building a dedicated shuttle road between south-campus facilities such as Economy parking and the Rental Car Center and the north passenger terminal. Phase 1 is scheduled through the end of 2026.
Security checkpoint improvements
A checkpoint enhancement project began in 2026 and is scheduled through June 2027. Work includes upgraded doors and exit-lane breach-detection systems.
Runway 2/20 rehabilitation
The airport lists reconstruction, lighting and marking work on Runway 2/20 with construction scheduled through December 2026. Use airline flight status—not the project alone—to judge an individual flight.
New Orleans airport address and directions
The current passenger-terminal address is 1 Terminal Drive, Kenner, LA 70062. From downtown New Orleans, the airport directs drivers to take I-10 West and Exit 221A toward the New Orleans Airport, then follow terminal signs for Departures, Arrivals or parking.
If you are returning an airport rental car, do not navigate to Terminal Drive first. The Rental Car Center is at 600 Rental Boulevard, Kenner, LA 70062, and a shuttle connects the facility to the terminal.
Common MSY travel problems and what to do
My booking says MSY, but I searched for “NOLA airport”
That is normal. NOLA is informal shorthand for New Orleans, while MSY is the official three-letter passenger airport code for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
My map is taking me to the old airport terminal
Use the current passenger-terminal address: 1 Terminal Drive, Kenner, LA 70062. The former terminal remains part of the airport’s south-campus facilities but is not the normal passenger airline terminal.
I parked in Economy and underestimated departure time
Economy is a remote facility. Add time for parking, walking to the shuttle stop, waiting for the bus and riding to the north terminal. The airport’s normal two-hour domestic or three-hour international recommendation should be treated as a baseline, not a guarantee.
My Uber or Lyft driver cannot find me
Confirm that you are on Level 1 Baggage Claim and on the middle curb in the ride-app area. Lyft and Uber currently use different door ranges and may use queue or PIN systems, so follow the exact directions displayed in the app.
I left something at the security checkpoint
Checkpoint property is handled separately from normal terminal Lost & Found. Contact TSA Lost & Found using the current information on the airport security or contact page.
I left something on the airplane
Contact the operating airline directly. Airport general Lost & Found does not control property left onboard an aircraft or in airline-exclusive areas.
I need wheelchair help from curb to gate
Arrange the service with your airline, preferably before travel. Airport accessibility resources can help with the terminal environment, but airline wheelchair assistance is coordinated through the carrier.
NOLA and New Orleans airport code FAQs
What is the NOLA airport code?
The airport code travelers usually mean when searching “NOLA airport code” is MSY for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. NOLA is a nickname for New Orleans, not the airport’s IATA code.
What does MSY stand for?
MSY stands for Moisant Stock Yards. The code preserves the airport site’s historical Moisant identity.
What is the ICAO code for New Orleans airport?
The ICAO code is KMSY. Most passengers use MSY, while KMSY appears in technical aviation and flight-planning systems.
Is MSY actually in New Orleans?
MSY serves New Orleans and southeast Louisiana, but the passenger terminal’s street address is in Kenner, Louisiana.
What is the address for MSY?
The current passenger-terminal address is 1 Terminal Drive, Kenner, LA 70062.
How early should I arrive at MSY?
MSY recommends arriving at least two hours before a domestic departure and three hours before an international departure. Add time for remote parking, rental-car return, checked baggage, family travel, accessibility assistance or periods of unusually high demand.
How many terminals does New Orleans airport have?
The current passenger airport uses one terminal with Concourses A, B and C.
What time does the MSY security checkpoint open?
The airport currently publishes a 3:30 a.m. checkpoint opening time, with screening continuing until shortly before the final scheduled departure. Verify the airport security page for travel-day changes.
How much is parking at MSY?
Current published daily maximums are $26 Short Term, $22 Long Term, $20 Surface Lot and $12 Economy. Valet is currently published at $36 per day. Verify current rates before travel.
How much is a taxi from MSY to the French Quarter?
MSY currently publishes a $36 fare to the French Quarter or Central Business District for up to two passengers. For three or more passengers, the published fare is $15 per passenger.
Is there public transportation from MSY to New Orleans?
Yes. Jefferson Parish Transit serves the airport with the E1 Veterans-Airport route, and RTA operates Airport Express 202 service. Check the current operator timetable before relying on either route.
Does MSY have Uber and Lyft?
Yes. Ride-app pickup is on the middle curb outside Level 1 Baggage Claim. Uber and Lyft currently use different door ranges and queue instructions, so follow the app and airport signage.
Continue planning your U.S. airport trip
Where this New Orleans airport information was checked
Airport identity, history, terminal information, security guidance, parking, ground transportation, rental-car instructions, accessibility, amenities and active construction were checked against Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Aviation identifiers and runway context were cross-checked with FAA material. TSA identification and screening assistance were checked against TSA guidance, and Jefferson Parish Transit was used for the current E1 route context.
Operational information changes faster than airport-code history. For travel-day gates, flight status, parking availability, transit departures, construction routing or pickup zones, use the responsible official source rather than a saved screenshot of this article.