Sleeping in Airports

New Orleans Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our New Orleans Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

there was a box of pillows and blankets in the waiting area near the seats. – Dave

MSY Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport.

What to Expect

New Orleans Airport (Code: MSY) is a single terminal (newly completed in 2019) consisting of a bright and airy three-level central hall connected to three concourses (A, B and C). The ground level consists of the baggage claim and arrivals curbsides; the second level houses the security checkpoint with access to the concourses; and the third level is home to the ticketing hall and the departures curbside. There are two food-court style areas near the entrances to concourses B and C, as well as additional eateries and shops down the center of both of those concourses. Concourse A is primarily used for international flights and tends to be less crowded than B or C. The airport offers a festive air, with live music, colourful decor and comfortable seating, as well as WiFi and plenty of power outlets for charging mobile devices. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first class lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below.

Sleeping in New Orleans Airport

new orleans airport guide Recent reviews from passengers state that the terminal is not the most comfortable place to sleep, with lights being kept on overnight and seating mostly featuring arm rests. One reviewer recommends the area between Panda Express and Starbucks in Concourse B; there is a bench to lie on and power outlets. If you have the budget, here are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more information, or read traveller reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our New Orleans Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • The Club MSY – Location: Airside, adjacent to entrance to Concourse B. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • United Lounge – Location: Airside, Concourse C, Gate C7. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of United Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

  • Delta Sky Club – Location: Airside, Concourse C, Gate 1. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.

Military Lounge

Military Lounge – Location: Landside, Level 3 check-in. Lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Hours: 8:00AM – 8:00PM.

Related Pages: New Orleans Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near New Orleans Airport that provide free airport shuttles.  Shuttles pick up at the Transportation Center, located on the 1st floor across from the baggage claim area.

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in New Orleans, search deals and read traveller reviews.

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at New Orleans Airport. Connect to the “#MSY-FI” network. You have up to 5 MBPS on the free version or you can purchase faster speed through Boingo.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.

Baby Care Facilities – Feed and care for your baby in comfort and privacy in the Mother’s Rooms. Changing table, comfortable seating, and power outlets are available. Dedicated mothers’ rooms and family restrooms are available on each concourse.

Banking Services – Whitney Bank is located in Concourse C, Airside. Hours: Unknown.

Currency Exchange – Travelex counter is located near the United Airlines and Delta check in desks, Landside. Hours: Unknown.

Duty Free & Shopping – Some of the airport shops provide duty free shopping. In addition, the airport offers a good variety of shops to pass the time.

Food & Drinks – At the time of this update, there were no 24 hour food concessions. Many food concessions begin to open at 3:30AM. Vending machines are also available. Bring your own water bottle! There are 11 water bottle filling stations once you have passed through security.

Information Desk – Location: Landside, outside baggage claim, ground level of terminal. Hours: 8:00AM – 8:00PM.

Live Music – The airport periodically hosts live music at the “jazz garden” stage located landside in the middle of the terminal arrivals level, as well as in other locations airside.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Location: Level 1, Arrivals, Landside.

Meditation Room – Location: Level 2, Departures, Airside.

Mobile Charging – Charging stations and power outlets are available throughout the landside and airside areas of the terminal.

MSY Guest Pass – Non-ticketed passengers can now access the secure zone and enjoy over 40 concessions. The pass is available daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Register here.

Pet Relief Area – Designated pet relief areas are located in these locations: Airside, near Shake Shack • Landside, Level 1, in between the terminal and short term parking.

Police / Security – Location: Landside, Level 2, near Leah’s Kitchen.

Post Office – There is a mailbox located Landside, Level 1, near baggage claim.

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers – Available at the Club MSY priority pass lounge airside with access fee.

SIM Cards – A SIM card can be purchased at the InMotion store. Location: Airside, near gate C1. Hours: 5:00AM – 8:00PM.

Smoking – There are designated smoking areas on the upper and lower ramps outside the terminal. Smoking is prohibited in front of the outside entrances.

Tax Free Shopping – International travellers can receive a refund on any sales tax they have paid at participating merchants in Louisiana. To qualify you must present a foreign passport, an international ticket and be in the country for less than 90 days. Most shops in the airport participate in the program and there is a Tax Free Counter where you can go for refunds. Location: Level 2, near Leah’s Kitchen.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Keep in mind that TSA, airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the public area of the terminal (landside) you will not be able to get through to the secure area of the terminal (airside) until the morning.

airlinesAirlines

New Orleans airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • Allegiant Air • American Airlines • Breeze Airways • British Airways • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • JetBlue • Silver Airways • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • United Airlines • Vacation Express.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Jefferson Transit (JET) – The Veterans (E1) bus takes passengers from MSY Airport to downtown. Travel time: approx. 50 minutes. Fare $2.00. For schedules and more info visit the Jefferson Transit website.

Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) – The Airport Express (202) Bus also connects the airport to downtown New Orleans with two pick-up locations (Elk Place at Cleveland or the Union Passenger Terminal/Bus Bay 2). Fare: $1.25. For schedules and more info visit the RTA web site.

Car Rentals

Car rentals are handled in the MSY Consolidated Rental Car Facility. A shuttle to the building departs from near the Long Term Parking Garage (exit the terminal on Level 1, Baggage Claim) every 5 minutes and is 15-20 minutes driving time. Buses run 24-hours. The following car rental agencies are located onsite: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttles

Several hotels provide airport shuttle service:  Best Western Plus New Orleans Airport Hotel  •  Comfort Inn New Orleans Airport   •   Comfort Inn & Suites New Orleans Airport North  •   Days Inn New Orleans Airport   •   Doubletree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans Airport   •  Hampton Inn Metairie   •   Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Airport   •   Hilton New Orleans Airport   •   Holiday Inn New Orleans Airport North   •  Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport South  •  La Quinta Inn & Suites New Orleans Airport   •  Wyndham Garden Hotel New Orleans Airport.

Shuttles depart from the Ground Transportation Center, outside Level 1 Baggage Claim (Doors 1 – 5).

See also Airport Hotels above.

Ride Apps

Ride Apps including Lyft and Uber pick-up passengers from Level 1 Baggage Claim.

Shuttles

Go Airport Shuttle New Orleans offers door-to-door shared ride shuttle service between the airport and hotels in downtown New Orleans. At the time of this update, a one-way fare between the airport and the French Quarter is $30. Tickets can be purchased at the Airport Shuttle booth located on Level 1 Baggage Claim between Doors 3 and 4.

Taxis

Taxis can be found in a dedicated taxi loading zone on the Arrivals Curb outside of Level 1 Baggage Claim Door 7. At the time of this update, the fare between the airport and CBD (Central Business District) or French Quarter was $36 for up to 2 passengers. For 3 or more passengers the rate increases $15 per passenger. A $1 fuel surcharge will also be added per trip.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.