NEW TERMINAL AT NEW ORLEANS AIRPORT MSY OPEN HOUSE - OCTOBER 26, 2019

Laisser voler le bon temps! Sneak Peak of NOLA’s new airport terminal!

New Orleans, known as the city that care forgot has for years suffered from an airport that time forgot. Now, that’s all about to change. After years in the making, New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport’s (MSY) new $1 Billion terminal is set to take-off on Wednesday Nov 6, 2019.

When it opens, MSY’s glistening 35-gate, 927,000-square foot terminal will become one of only four major US airport projects in the 21st century that were switched light-switched overnight and took over all traffic from a pre-existing facility. This rare club includes Wichita (ICT), Indianapolis (IND), and Panama City/Northwest Florida (ECP).

All 16 airlines at MSY will move the night of November 5th-6th from the existing terminal to the the new terminal located on the Northside opposite site of the field. The current hodge podge of a terminal, first constructed in 1959 and facelift in time for the 2013 Super Bowl will close, with much of it being demolished.

The new terminal designed by the famed, late architect Cesar Pelli has an airy, glass facade design and open-air architectural concept. Though world class in design, the exterior aesthetic doesn’t feel the local “New Orleans Art Noveaux” character. It would be at home anywhere in the world. This was intentional as the Airport Board wanted the airport to reflect “the next 300 years of New Orleans.”

Under the phrase “You can’t judge a book by its cover”, the new terminal boasts many local touches befitting of The Big Easy. More on that later

The new MSY airport terminal spans 972,000 square feet and features three concourses, 35 gates, two new parking garages for short-term and long-term parking, a surface parking lot, and an economy garage with shuttle service. Concessions, located past the massive single security check point feature more than 40 food, beverage, news, gift and specialty retail options with a unique Louisiana flair. Plus a 2-story Delta Sky Club, United Club (opening date tbd), and Priority Pass club.

As an interesting omen, power at the current terminal was out due to weather with all operations suspended from 5am-2pm as if in protest of her closing. Concourse C and D will remain for charter and FBOs along with the iconic Quonset hut...for now. Ionically, Power in the new terminal is fully on with generator backup.

Last flight out of the old germinal is Tuesday Nov 5th: a Southwest flight at 9:30pm followed by a second line farewell celebration. First flight out is Wednesday Nov 6 at 5am.