A new, $1.3 billion terminal complex opened Wednesday at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), replacing the airport’s 60-year-old terminal building.
The terminal complex consists of the new 35-gate terminal and apron. All 16 airlines serving MSY will operate from the new facility. A record 13.1 million total passengers traveled through the airport in 2018, 9.3 percent higher than the previous record in 2017.
The new terminal is designed to improve the passenger experience with a consolidated checkpoint offering greater ease and efficiency for passengers going through security, and an in-line baggage system where passengers will just drop off their checked baggage at the ticket counters. Other amenities include an attached parking garage and surface parking.
The new space effectively triples the amount of concessions offerings for passengers. On the food and beverage side, a slew of options from restaurateurs HMSHost and Delaware North have landed at MSY. Travelers can experience Emeril’s Table, a concept created by celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse; Cure, the local Big Easy favorite and craft cocktail bar; James Beard Award-winning Susan Spicer’s Mondo, a concept boasting classic New Orleans fare; The Munch Factory, which will offer Creole tastes, including the Voodoo Burger; Lucky Dogs, the two locations of which are operated by the owners of the original French Quarter hot dog carts; The Great American Bagel & Panini, a fresh grab-and-go option for those in a hurry; and a host of national favorites, such as New York-based Shake Shack, casual mainstay Chili’s, Smoothie King and Starbucks for breakfast-time travel, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and Asian-fusion fast-casual concept, Panda Express; all brought to the airport by HMSHost.
“Serving people in New Orleans is a milestone for HMSHost and we’re eager to show our industry-leading hospitality service to all who visit the new terminal and dine with us,” says HMSHost executive vice president of business development, Derryl Benton.
From Delaware North, MSY passengers can choose from Leah Chase’s classic Creole at Leah’s Kitchen; Chef John Folse’s eclectic Folse Market; MoPho, featuring Vietnamese-fusion dishes by Chef Michael Gulotta; Bar Sazerac/Dook’s Burgers, a classic New Orleans cocktail bar nestled up to a burger joint; Angelo Brocato for classic Italian sweets like gelato; Ye Olde College Inn, a New Orleans landmark offering farm-to-table selections; the Heritage School of Music Stage, which boasts a wine bar and live performances; Café Du Monde for beignets and coffee; PJ’s Coffee, which originated in New Orleans; and even more eateries set to open in the near future.
“We had to make sure we found out what makes New Orleans cuisine unique and then find a way to showcase that in a way that meets travelers’ needs,” says Scott Socha, interim president for Delaware North’s travel division. “That meant developing relationships with some of the city’s revered chefs and restaurateurs — many of whom are known all over the world — and creating concepts that will set a new bar for airport dining.”
In addition to the expanded dining options, both Stellar Partners and Paradies Lagardère have brought new shopping options to MSY guests. In a joint partnership with Harley London, LLC, Stellar Partners is operating four travel convenience locations: WhereTraveler, a Stellar-exclusive; two New.Stand locations; and News & Coffee @MSY, a proprietary concept offering uniquely-MSY products. Stellar also brings two specialty retail options: Dirty Coast for graphic tees and Bourbon Sweets for a sugar fix.
“We congratulate the city on the new airport and look forward to growing as part of the New Orleans community,” says Stellar vice president of business development and strategic alliances, Yasmin Sheriff.
Paradies Lagardère also partnered for some of their new openings, bringing on local ACDBE partners Henry Coaxum and Beverly McKenna. Their new retail outlets include New Orleans’ The Advocate; beloved sweet shop Dylan’s Candy Bar; the Scoreboard for sports apparel; a CNBC store; popular tech provider InMotion; Trip Advisor; Nola Couture and Fleurty Girl, both local New Orleans clothing boutiques; Brighton accessories; and Parish Provisions for travel convenience items.
“Paradies Lagardère and our local ACDBE partners … are thrilled with the opportunity to establish a new partnership with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and be part of their state-of-the-art new terminal,” says Nicole Linton, marketing communications manager. “We’re confident travelers will love all of our new concepts.”
Concessions are located down the center of the concourse to allow passengers to see their gate while dining and shopping. The overall project also included airfield lighting vault relocation and FAA navigational aids relocations, construction of a storm water pump station, and a new on-airport roadway system.
