Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

New Orleans Airport really wants you to visit

Airport Terminals,

We keep track of the airports that offer gate pass programs that allow non-ticketed visitors to go past security and hang out at the airport.

You can see the full list here.

At these airports, you can be at the gate to meet a friend or family member arriving on a flight.

You can spend every last second with someone until they have to board their flight, instead of saying goodbye at the curb or the security checkpoint.

Or you can just go and hang out at the airport by yourself or with a friend and shop, eat, watch planes do their thing, listen to live music or have a date night.

These are all things we’ve done on daycations with our gate passes at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Nashville International Airport (BNA) and elsewhere.

The newest airport to offer a gate pass program is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE).

But here’s news from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which has offered its Indulge MSY Guest Pass for some time.

The airport is upgrading the Indulge MSY Guest Pass program to make it even easier for non-ticketed guests to access areas beyond the security checkpoint.

Now, in addition to signing up online, eligible guests can use a self-service in-terminal kiosk and get a pass within minutes.

That means it’s even easier to get access to live music and more than 40 dining and shopping options, including local favorites like Emeril’s Table, MoPho, and Fleurty Girl at MSY.

The self-service kiosk is on Level 1 of baggage claim, between doors 2 and 3.

Entry requires standard security screening through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) general boarding lanes, and guests aged 18 and older must present a valid REAL ID or passport.

The Indulge MSY Guest Pass program is available daily until 8 p.m.

We’re making this the Airport Amenity of the Week.

Fresh airport amenities. And Super Bowl plans.

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SEA Airport gets a retro arcade

A retro-arcade-themed gaming center with food and beverages just opened at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

And we’re planning to get to the airport extremely early for our flight this week so we can test it out.

The arcade, in the SEA N Concourse, is called Sky Gamerz and it has food and drinks as well as retro games played on vintage Atari 2600 consoles including Miss Pac-Man, Dig Dug and Donkey Kong.

Airlines adding Super Bowl Flights & the New Orleans airport is ready for them

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles are heading to New Orleans to face off in Super Bowl LIX on February 9.

Whether or not they have tickets to the big game, thousands of fans will be heading that way too. And the major airlines are adding flights to help them get into and out of The Big Easy.

Some of those flights have special custom numbers for those in the know.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is ready to welcome the fans.

And some flight deals for people – and their pets

The Stuck at the Airport team has February flights plans that include Sydney, Australia, so we’re pleased to see that Air New Zealand has a flight sale starting January 28, with discounted economy fares from cities like Los Angeles to Sydney starting at just $848 and from San Francisco to Sydney at just $998. Premium Economy and Business class tickets are on sale too.

Bark Air – which offers flights for dogs and their people – has a flight news too.

Bark Air is a charter air service for dogs and their humans operating flights between New York and Los Angeles, Paris and London using Gulfstream G5 and G4 jets and flying to and from secondary airports, such as Westchester County Airport in White Plains (HPN), Van Nuys Airport (VNY) near Los Angeles and Standsted Airport (STN) near London.

Air fare on these flights start at $6,000 for a pet and a person, but over the President’s Day weekend, February 13-17, Bark Air is offering some less expensive flights at $1000 and below on larger CRJ-200 aircraft between New York Teterboro Airport (TEB) and Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL).

Travel Tidbits from Airports Near You

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Here’s a quick roundup of fun posts and new amenities recently spotted at airports.

New York’s Albany International Airport (ALB) is getting ready for all the travelers who will be arriving for the Belmont Stakes horse race in Saratoga on June 8.

They’ve set up a selfie station with a horse statue just past the security checkpoint.

Party on!

Airports often put together a gate-side celebration when an airline kicks off a new route. But Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) does it especially well.

We’ve been watching these Jabbrrbox workspace pods sprout at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) over the past few months and have yet to try them out. Given how busy the airport is this season, though, we’re sure travelers with work to do or important calls to take will find them useful.

We’re keeping an eye out for the colorful posts from airports in support of Pride Month.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is lighting up its tower with a two-fer in support of Indigenous History Month AND Pride Month.

And we got a kick out of this TSA post recognizing National Hug Your Cat Day. Is that even a real thing?

PHL Airport will soon offer a gate pass program

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In November, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will join the list of airports that offer post-security access to non-ticketed airport visitors.

With the Wingmate Pass, anyone will be able to accompany a friend or family member to their gate, welcome an arriving passenger as they leave the plane, or visit the airport’s restaurants, bars, shops, art exhibits, pop-up installations, and activities.

The airport also plans to offer dining and shopping deals just for Wingmate guests.  

Wingmate Pass wanna-bees will need to apply for a pass online, at the PHL.org website. Requests can be entered on the day of your planned visit or up to 7 days in advance. And, if the Transportation Security Administration approves your application, you’ll get a digital Wingmate Pass via email to show at the D/E or A-East security checkpoint, along with your government ID.

What other airports offer day passes?

We’re happy to report that PHL’s Wingmate Pass program joins a growing list of other airport gate pass programs.

That list includes:

Visitor Pass program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA),

Experience MCO Visitor Pass program for the new Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (MCO),

The MSY Guest Pass Program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY),

The DTW Destination Pass at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW),

Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI: the LAN Visitor Pass,

the OC Air Pass at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA,

the ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT),

and the PSC Pass at Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, WA.

Are we missing any? Let us know.

Another airport adds a gate pass program

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A growing number of airports make it easy for the non-traveling public to get visitor passes to the secure side of the passenger terminal.

That makes it possible to meet arriving friends and family at the gate or to spend more time with someone before they board a flight.

It also means that you don’t need to be flying somewhere to check out a new terminal, tap your toes to the live music at the airport, see some great art, do a little shopping, or spend time watching planes take off and land.

Each airport has its own name for the service and its own rules regarding how many non-ticketed visitors are allowed to be issued a pass each day they are offered. And at each airport that offers the service, passengers must still go through the security checkpoint.

The list of airports offering this great airport amenity includes:

Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SEA Visitor Pass Program

The MSY Guest Pass Program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY),

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW),

Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI: the LAN Visitor Pass,

the OC Air Pass at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA,

and the ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT).

New to the list: Washington’s Tri-Cities Airport

Now more – and smaller – airports are joining the list.

The latest is the Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, WA.

For now, only 10 visitors are able to get a PSC Pass each day. And each visitor may request just one visit per month. But, as with the other airport gate pass programs, it allows non-travelers to surprise an arriving passenger at the gate or send someone off at the gate with a last-minute hug.

Did we miss an airport with a gate pass program? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

Skateboarders Invade Old New Orleans Airport

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(Tate Malpass at Red Bull Terminal Takeover. Jonathan Mehring / Red Bull)

What Can You Do With An Empty Airport Terminal?

Stuck at the Airport is a big fan of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).

It’s partly because the airport is the gateway to a city full of great music, art, history, and food. And it is partly because the ‘new’ terminal that opened in 2019 is also full of great food, art, music, and other amenities.

We also like the fact that the airport authority is making creative use of the “old” MSY terminal.

Some movies have been filmed in the old terminal building. And for the third year in a row, the empty terminal building has served as a skatepark for the Red Bull Terminal Takeover skateboarding competition.

Over the course of two days, April 14 – 15, ten teams of top-notch skaters from around the country took turns filming some outrageous skating sessions in the terminal.

Edited two-minute clips from each team will be posted on RedBull.com in mid-May for two weeks of public voting. The winning team will get a cash prize that they will be able to donate to an organization of their choice.

We’ll share the videos once they are available. But in the meantime, here are some of great pics of the Terminal Takeover, courtesy of Red Bull.

Imagine being able to do this next time you are Stuck at the Airport!

(Greyson Beal at Red Bull Terminal Takeover. Jonathan Mehring)

(Brandon Valjalo performs a 360 flip. Jonathan Mehring)

(Old) Airport Terminal or Skateboard Video Game?

Fun Stuff,

We were delighted when celebrity skateboarders and skateboard crews from across the country rolled into the old terminal facilities – and even onto the tarmac – at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) for Red Bull’s second Terminal Takeover.

It’s a creative use of the empty space. And, along with film shoots, a good way for the airport to earn income from the space while plans formalize for full-time, long-term use of the building.

Jake Wooten performs a backside 360 at Red Bull Terminal Takeover

Now, some of the videos from the skateboard take-over are being shared.

And it turns out that in addition to the crew competitions, the old airport terminal was also the backdrop for a real-life video game.

Travel Tidbits from Airports Near You

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Jonathan Mehring / Red Bull Content Pool

Earlier this month, celebrity skateboarders and skateboard crews from across the country rolled into the old terminal facilities – and even onto the tarmac – at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. They were there for Red Bull’s second Terminal Takeover.

Here is a short video of pro skateboarder Jake Wooten showing off his skills – and the airport terminal transformation – from last year’s event. And below, a link to a story we prepared for The Points Guy site.

Celebrate Museum Month – at the airport

Many airports around the country have official museums and museum programs. Stuck at the Airport will highlight as many as we can. But Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport gave us a head start.

Recognize any of these stuffed animals?

Skateboarders takeover the old New Orleans Airport

Fun Stuff,

We’re filing this under: Cool Things To Do With Old Airport Terminals

Courtesy Sophia Germer, NOLA.com

It was pretty exciting when Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) opened its brand new terminal in November 2019.

But what about the old terminal? It hasn’t been torn or repurposed for anything permanent just yet. Which made the empty main hall, gate halls, and baggage carousels perfect backdrops recently for a thrilling Red Bull Terminal Takeover by daring skateboarders.

(Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com,)

The New Orleans Advocate shared some great photos of the event as well as the video below.

MSY: 5 Things we Love About Louis Armstrong New Orleans Int’l Airport

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Stuck at the Airport’s “5 Things We Love About…” series is back today with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).

The continuing series celebrates features and amenities at airports around the country and the world.

We’re trying to keep our lists to just 5 cool things about each airport, but you are invited to add ‘bonus’ favorites in the comments below.

*Note that some of the things we love at airports may be temporarily closed or suspended due to COVID-19 concerns, but we’re pretty sure they are coming back.

So:

5 Things We Love About Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

MSY debuted its new $1.3 billion terminal building in November 2019 to serve 16 airlines with 35 gates spread out across three concourses.

1. Live music as MSY


Any trip to New Orleans involves live music. And that includes live music at the airport on arrival – and before you leave. The new terminal has music stages in the bag claim area and in the terminal.

2. The shops and restaurants


The new MSY is filled with restaurants and bars that represent local favorites, including Lucky Dogs, Cafe Du Monde, Emeril’s Table, Leah’s Kitchen and many more.

Great souvenirs of New Orleans can be found at the MSY as well.

3. The MSY Treewall

The Treewall at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is an impressive three-story artwork portraying an oak tree that sits right in the middle of the airport’s main terminal area. It not only offers a great sense of place; it’s a great meeting place and, of course, a great photo opp spot.

4. MSY’s “Meet an Alligator” program

Every Friday the Audubon Nature Institute brings a few juvenile alligators to MSY airport so passengers can learn about these creatures and get a souvenir photo.

5. MSY’s K9 Krewe

Alligators aren’t the only animals that visit MSY on a regular basis.

The airport has a therapy animal program called MSY K9 KREWE.

13 dogs and their owners make visits to MSY to help decrease travel anxiety and hang out with travelers.

Did we miss something you love about MSY?

If we missed your favorite feature or amenity at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), please leave a note in the comment section below.

Want to nominate an airport for the series or sponsor one of the episodes? Get in touch.

Airports in the “5 Things We Love About …” series. So far:

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)