Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport’s Forthcoming $1 Billion Terminal

  • Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport’s Forthcoming $1 Billion Terminal

    15

    Jan

    Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport’s Forthcoming $1 Billion Terminal

    Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is Louisiana’s primary commercial airport serving over 80 percent of all passengers flying into the state.

    On May 15, MSY will boast an airy, futuristic new terminal on its north side. Designed by architect Cesar Pelli and the Crescent City Aviation Team, the 35-gate terminal is 90% complete.

     

    “The building’s form evokes the geography of the Delta region and soft curves of the Mississippi River. Symmetrical in plan, the building forms a gentle arc on three sides. A monumental roof rises toward the building’s center line, where it crests over a large central skylight. The terminal facades are primarily glass, allowing for views out to the airfield.”
    Cesar Pelli said in a statement.

     

    This terminal will replace the existing terminal on the airport’s south side. Officials hope it will provide a top-of-the-line experience commensurate with the expectations of the millions of tourists who travel through the airport each year.

     

     

    Construction of the 972,000-square-foot terminal started in 2016. The “Jazz Garden” in the baggage claim area features lots of natural light, plants, and a stage with live music.

    The ticket lobby has more than 100 check-in counters. Which is a very good news for those of us who aren’t part of the TSA Pre-Check program: the airport’s consolidated security checkpoint funnels passengers from all concourses into one football field-sized area. Because security checkpoints aren’t split up between multiple concourses, the operation should be more streamlined and efficient, and should take less time.

     

    The new terminal features 45 food, beverage, and retail vendors, including local brands MoPho, Angelo Brocato’s, Cafe du Monde, Lucky Dogs, Mondo, Fleurty Girl, Cure, Dirty Coast, PJ’s Coffee, The Advocate, Emeril’s, and NOLA Couture. No construction shots are available of the food court, but here’s a rendering.

     

    Here’s a look at one of the terminal’s three new concourses.