New MSY terminal opens November 6

After years of construction snags and delays, the new terminal at Louis Armstrong International Airport will open on Wednesday, November 6. All 16 airlines will operate from the 35-gate, $1.3 billion terminal.

The new MSY will host two “open house” events, one at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 24, and one at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 26. These will feature live music, kid-friendly programming, and the opportunity to wander through the 972,000-square-foot facility without going through the security checkpoint. Attendees can register for the free event via Eventbrite. They can also sign up to volunteer for these events as well as on opening day.

“This will be an historic moment for the people of New Orleans and the entire Gulf coast region,” said Hon. Michael Bagneris, chair of the New Orleans Aviation Board, in a press release. “As the largest commercial airport in the state of Louisiana, we know this infrastructure investment will have a lasting impact in our community.”

The new terminal features free wi-fi, a consolidated security checkpoint, charging stations on 50 percent of its chairs, and more than 40 food and retail vendors.

Officials advise passengers to arrive at least two hours early for flights and to take travel time into consideration when flying from the new MSY. To access the new terminal, exit I-10 at Loyola Avenue, cross over to Veterans Boulevard, and proceed down the new Airport access roadway.

An Interstate 10 interchange from Loyola Avenue isn’t expected to finish until 2023, according to the Times-Picayune–the New Orleans Advocate