New Orleans Airport Information
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
The New Orleans metropolitan area is served by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Located 11 miles from the city’s Central Business District, it is the busiest airport in Louisiana and the 6th busiest in the Southeast. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the airport serviced almost 10 million travelers annually with most travelers flying non-connecting flights. In 2007, over 7.5 million passengers were served and 82 percent of daily flights and nearly 93 percent of the domestic hubs serving nonstop flights were fully restored.
The airport offers 30 nonstop international destinations as part of its recovery initiatives after Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, the airport opened a cell phone lot for the convenience of those receiving calls from arriving passengers. Also in 2006, “Music to your Eyes,” an $8 million maintenance campaign, was launched to improve the environment and to clean up the airport. The campaign includes improvements to the lighting system, baggage claim, seating capacities, designated smoking areas, curbside congestion and overall cleanliness.
Airline carriers serving Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- Air Tran Airways
- American Airlines
- Continental
- Delta Airlines
- Express Jet Airlines
- First Choice Airways
- JetBlue Airways
- Northwest Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- US Airways
New Orleans Train Information
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal
The New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, with its famous, restored mural on the walls, is the major hub in the South for Amtrak, which services the city with three trains. The Sunset Limited currently operates between New Orleans and Los Angeles
Los Angeles; the Crescent operates between New Orleans and
New York City
New York City, and the City of New Orleans line operates between New Orleans and Chicago
Chicago. An intermodal transportation facility, the terminal provides space for Greyhound Lines’ intercity bus service.
For more information: 800-USA-RAIL
New Orleans Public Transportation
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) Bus Line
With a reputation for clean and safe transportation, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority operates one of the largest fleets of buses and trolleys in the nation. The buses run to several major stops around New Orleans, including Elysian Fields Avenue, Judge Perez Drive and Chef Menteur Highway. Two express routes serve eastern New Orleans. The E-2 Airport Bus, operated by Jefferson Transit, provides weekday service to downtown New Orleans from the upper level of the airport at Entrance number 7. The E-2 bus travels downtown to Tulane and Loyola avenues, just two blocks from Canal Street. NORTA bus one-way fare is $1.25, with an additional $0.25 for transfer. E-2 bus one-way fare is $1.60.
Trolley Service
New Orleans’ famous trolley lines are back to full, pre-Katrina service to the delight of locals and visitors. Trolley fare is $1.25.
New Canal Street Line
In 2004, the new Canal Street Line returned after a 40-year absence. The route ties into the existing Riverfront Streetcar Line from Esplanade Avenue to Canal Street and travels along Canal Street from the Mississippi River to a streetcar terminal at City Park Avenue and the Cemeteries.
Riverfront Line
Opened in 1988 to an enthusiastic public, the 1.9-mile Riverfront Streetcar Line was the first new streetcar line since 1926. Seven bright red streetcars now service the Riverfront line, which includes 10 stops between Esplanade Avenue and the Morial Convention Center
Morial Convention Center.
Historic St. Charles Avenue Line
Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, the St. Charles Avenue Line has been in continuous operation since its inception in 1893. Trolley cars travel the entire length of the celebrated St. Charles Avenue, from the Central Business District to the charming Garden District and Uptown.
Algiers Ferry Service
In continuous operation since 1827, the historic Canal Street Ferry connects downtown New Orleans with the Algiers Point neighborhood on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Pedestrians and bicycles ride free while automobiles are charged $1 for a one-way fare with a free return trip. Ferries leave daily from the West Bank every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour beginning at 6 AM. Ferries depart from the East Bank on the quarter hour and three-quarters hour with the last ferry leaving at 12:15 AM.
For more information: 506-376-8180
Airport Shuttle
Shuttle service is available from the airport to hotels in the Central Business District. One-way shuttle fare is $15 per person and round-trip fare is $30 per person. Ticket booths can be found on the lower level in the baggage claim area. There is a three-bag limit per person.
For more information: 866-596-2699
Car Rentals
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty car rental agencies have offices located on the lower level of the airport.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful in New Orleans and rates may vary. Cab rides cost $28 from the airport to the Central Business District for up to two persons and $12 per passenger for three or more passengers. There may be an additional charge for extra baggage. A standard $1 fuel surcharge is added to the total fare. Taxi pick-ups are located outside the airport’s baggage claim area on the lower level.
Distance to...
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Lafayette, LA
- Mobile, AL
- Jackson, MS
- Shreveport, LA
- Houston, TX
- 69 miles
- 116 miles
- 129 miles
- 162 miles
- 278 miles
- 317 miles
