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How early should I get to MSY?

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans, LA · Checked Oct 25, 2026

The short answer

MSY recommends arriving at least two hours before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights

Those are blanket rules. Your real number depends on your terminal, the time of day, traffic from your door, and whether you have PreCheck or a bag. Leave By works out your exact leave time.

Source: flymsy.com

Security lines at MSY

MSY says its peak security periods are 4-7am and 3-6pm. During a TSA staffing shortage in March 2026, Sundays and Mondays were the heaviest days and waits reached up to 2 hours. In normal summer conditions (mid-June to mid-August 2026), MyTSA data put MSY's average wait at 4.1 minutes, the second-shortest of the 50 busiest US airports.

Busiest times: 4:00-7:00am, 3:00-6:00pm, Sundays and Mondays (March 2026).

Nationally, TSA checkpoints are busiest from 5 to 7 AM local time. See TSA's hourly numbers and the busiest days to fly.

TSA PreCheck: PreCheck screening is at the single Level 2 checkpoint, with a dedicated CLEAR lane for PreCheck members. MSY does not publish separate PreCheck lane hours. CLEAR lists its lanes as open until 7pm.

CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).

Touchless ID: MSY added TSA PreCheck Touchless ID in May 2026 for Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest and United, with a dedicated lane at the checkpoint. Opt in through your airline's app or profile, with your Known Traveler Number and passport details saved. Carry a physical ID as backup.

Terminals and checkpoints

Main Terminal (Concourses A, B and C)

Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant, American, Breeze, British Airways, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, United

Consolidated Security Checkpoint, Level 2PreCheckCLEARThe only checkpoint, serving all gates. MSY says it opens at 3:30am and stays open until 30 minutes before the last scheduled departure. MSY says dedicated CLEAR lanes are available for standard and PreCheck screening, for all airlines. CLEAR lists its lanes here as closing at 7pm.
  • All passengers use one security checkpoint on Level 2 of the terminal
  • The three concourses (A, B and C) are connected inside the secure area
  • Concourse A handles international flights and has the customs facility
  • A May 2026 airport guide places Southwest and American on Concourse B and Delta and United on Concourse C. MSY does not publish airline concourse assignments, so check your boarding pass.
  • Curbside check-in is available for Delta, Southwest and United
  • Baggage claim and ground transportation pickup are on Level 1

Between terminals: Single terminal. One checkpoint leads to all three concourses, which connect by indoor walkways inside security. A May 2026 guide says the farthest Concourse A gates are about a 10-minute walk from the checkpoint.

Terminals are connected after security, so you can walk between them without re-screening.

Getting to MSY

Rideshare and taxi: Drop-off is at the terminal curb; stopping, parking and waiting there are not allowed. Uber and Lyft pickup is outside Level 1 Baggage Claim on the middle curb. Lyft riders use Doors 7-9 and UberX riders use Doors 9-11.

Transit: Buses stop at Level 1 Baggage Claim outside Door 2 (Zones B4 and B5). The RTA Airport Express (Route 202) costs $1.25 and stops at Elk Place at Cleveland and the Union Passenger Terminal. The JET E1 (Veterans-Airport) runs to City Park Avenue: $1.50 within Jefferson Parish, $2.00 into New Orleans.

Driving and parking: Daily maximums: Short Term garage $26, Long Term $22, Surface Lot $20, Economy Garage $12 (shuttle to the terminal), valet $36. Parking payment is by credit card only. You can reserve any facility online; reservations cannot be changed within 24 hours and are non-refundable. A third-party guide places the free cell phone lot at Airline Drive and Hollandey Street.

Construction and changes in 2026

  • The $84.5M Express Shuttle Connector Road, a dedicated shuttle road between the south-campus parking garages and the terminal, broke ground in August 2025 and is due before the end of the decade
  • In March 2026, MSY said it would soon start building 400 more parking spaces near the terminal. It gave no completion date.

Checking a bag

Southwest: bags checked less than 45 minutes before a domestic departure may not be accepted (60 minutes for international); bags are accepted no earlier than 4 hours ahead. Delta: check bags at least 45 minutes before domestic departure, no more than 6 hours ahead. American and United: check-in and bag deadline is 45 minutes before domestic departure.

MSY tips first-timers miss

  • There is one checkpoint for every gate, on Level 2. It is busiest 4-7am and 3-6pm, so leave extra time for flights in or just after those windows.
  • After security you can walk between Concourses A, B and C, so you can eat or shop in any concourse
  • Delta, Southwest and United offer curbside check-in at the departures curb
  • Reserve parking ahead in busy seasons. MSY asked travelers to book ahead for summer 2026, and reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Drivers cannot wait at the curb. The Short Term garage's first half hour is free.

Leaving for MSY?

Pick your flight and where you're starting. Leave By checks live traffic, security lines and your terminal, and tells you the minute to walk out the door.

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Questions travelers ask

How early should I get to New Orleans airport?

MSY recommends at least two hours before a domestic flight. Allow more if your flight is during its 4-7am or 3-6pm peaks or you are checking bags.

How many security checkpoints does MSY have?

One. All passengers use the consolidated checkpoint on Level 2. It has PreCheck and CLEAR lanes and leads to Concourses A, B and C.

Are the concourses at MSY connected after security?

Yes. Concourses A, B and C are connected inside the secure area, so you do not need to clear security again.

Where do I get an Uber or Lyft at New Orleans airport?

Go to the middle curb outside Level 1 Baggage Claim. Lyft riders exit Doors 7-9 and UberX riders exit Doors 9-11.

Sources

Airport conditions change. Always follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.

Other airport guides

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