New Orleans Airport Code (MSY): IATA, ICAO & Travel Guide

New Orleans · Louisiana · United States

MSY decoded: New Orleans airport code, meaning, and travel guide

Discover why the New Orleans airport code is MSY (Moisant Stock Yards), explore the modern single terminal layout, check parking options, and learn how to get from Louis Armstrong International Airport to downtown NOLA or the French Quarter.

Quick answer: MSY is the three-letter passenger airport code for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The 4-letter ICAO code is KMSY. The code originates from its site’s history as the Moisant Stock Yards.

Official MSY Portal ↗Explore Airport Codes

Independent guide: This site is not affiliated with the City of New Orleans, the New Orleans Aviation Board, or any airline. Gate assignments, parking availability, and transit rates should be verified via official sources on travel day.

Immediate code answer

What is the New Orleans airport code and why is it MSY?

MSY is the standard three-letter passenger (IATA) code for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. For air traffic control and aviation operations, the 4-letter ICAO code is KMSY.

Why is the code MSY? The letters stand for Moisant Stock Yards. Before the land became an airfield, it was used as a stockyard and dairy farm owned by John Moisant (an early aviator who died nearby). When the airport was built on the site during World War II, the weather station and initial aviation designation retained the MSY identifier.

Airport Travel Command Center

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.

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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.

Flight departure

Flight type

Drive / transit time to airport (minutes)

Extra parking / rental-car transfer (minutes)

Checking a bag (+20 min) Family, mobility or extra-assistance buffer (+25 min) Holiday / peak travel buffer (+30 min)

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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.

Connection time (minutes)

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Terminal change Separate tickets / separate reservation Need to reclaim / recheck baggage Mobility / family assistance may add transfer time

Adjust the options to estimate how much buffer you have.

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.

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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.

Scheduled / estimated landing

Arrival type

Checked baggage Mobility / family assistance

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IATA / PassengerMSY

Used on airline tickets, baggage tags, and flight bookings.

ICAO / 4-LetterKMSY

Used for air traffic control, flight planning, and aviation tracking.

LocationKenner, LA

Located about 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans.

Current NameLouis Armstrong

Named after the legendary jazz musician Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong.

Former NameMoisant Field

Historically called Moisant International Airport.

Are there two commercial airports in New Orleans? No. MSY is the only major commercial airport serving the New Orleans metropolitan area. Lakefront Airport (NEW) handles general aviation and private flights, but has no scheduled commercial passenger service.

Verify Official Airport Data Open the official Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport portal ↗. Next step: Use their official live flight tracker or directory to check airline gate assignments.

Hard-to-find traveler answers

Five MSY details that prevent common airport mistakes

Essential tips

1. Modern Single Terminal

MSY operates out of a single, unified terminal building featuring a central Ticketing/Baggage hall and three distinct concourses (Concourses A, B, and C).

2. Post-Security Concourse Separation

Once you clear security, you can walk between Concourses B and C. However, Concourse A has its own dedicated security checkpoint area.

3. Area Code Confusion

Travelers looking up local phone numbers should note that the New Orleans metropolitan region uses area codes 504 (city/immediate suburbs) and 985 (surrounding parishes).

Airport layout

MSY Terminal Layout: Concourses A, B, and C

Opened in November 2019, the modern MSY terminal replaced the older concourses on the other side of the airfield. It features a streamlined three-concourse setup:

Concourse A: Houses gates for select domestic carriers.

Concourse B: Primarily serves Southwest Airlines and other major domestic operations.

Concourse C: Handles major domestic carriers as well as international arrivals (equipped with U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities).

Check Live Airline Gate Assignments Open the official MSY Flight Status page ↗. Next step: Search by airline or flight number to confirm your departure gate before arriving at the security checkpoints.

Getting to the French Quarter

Transportation from MSY to Downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter

MSY is situated in Kenner, Louisiana, roughly 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans. Several ground transport options connect travelers to the city:

Airport-Downtown Express Bus (E-2): Operated by RTA, this budget-friendly bus route connects MSY to downtown New Orleans with multiple stops along the way.

Rideshare (Uber / Lyft): Pickups are located on the second level of the Short-Term Garage across from the main terminal.

Taxis & Airport Shuttles: Official taxi stands are stationed on the ground level outside baggage claim, offering flat rates to downtown and the French Quarter for multiple passengers.

Car Rentals: The Consolidated Rental Car Center (ConRAC) is located adjacent to the parking garage, easily accessible via terminal shuttles or walkways.

Vehicle storage

MSY Parking Garage, Economy Lot, and Cell Phone Lot

MSY provides convenient parking options directly integrated with the modern terminal facility.

Short-Term Garage: A multi-level covered structure located immediately across from the main terminal building, offering immediate access.

Long-Term / Economy Parking: Budget-friendly surface and garage spaces with continuous shuttle service directly to the terminal entrance.

Cell Phone Lot: A complimentary, designated staging lot where drivers can wait free of charge until arriving passengers have collected bags and are ready at the curb.

Review Official Parking Rates and Availability Open the official MSY Parking portal ↗. Next step: Check real-time garage capacity and current daily maximum rates before heading to the airport.

Search questions answered

Top FAQs about New Orleans airport code and MSY

What is the New Orleans airport code?

MSY is the three-letter IATA passenger airport code for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Why is the New Orleans airport code MSY?

The code stands for Moisant Stock Yards, honoring early aviator John Moisant on whose former stockyard property the airfield was originally constructed.

What is the 4-letter ICAO code for MSY?

The 4-letter ICAO code for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is KMSY.

Are there two commercial airports in New Orleans?

No, MSY is the only major commercial passenger airport serving the New Orleans metropolitan area. Lakefront Airport handles private and general aviation.

How far is MSY airport from the French Quarter?

MSY is located about 11 to 14 miles west of downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter, a trip that typically takes 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Editorial transparency

Official sources and update policy

This page prioritizes data from the official Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport authority. Official links guide you directly to verified municipal and aviation resources.

MSY Airport AuthorityOfficial flight tracking, terminal maps, parking rates, and ground transportation guidelines for Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Last fact-check: August 2026. Airport facilities, codes, and transit options are verified against official aviation and municipal guidelines.