This video offers an early look inside the new terminal complex that will completely replace the existing Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
Owned by the City of New Orleans, the new facility is scheduled to open in autumn 2019. MSY is the primary commercial airport in the State of Louisiana, serving over 80% of all passengers flying into the state. It is owned by the City of New Orleans.
The new terminal has been designed to better meet the needs of the traveling public. The current terminal was built in 1959 – in addition to the challenges that arise from maintaining an aging building, airport security requirements and aviation industry best practices have changed drastically since it was built.
The new, US$1.029bn terminal has been designed by New Haven-based architect Pelli Clarke Pelli. A spokesperson for the practice said, “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 its centerline, where it crests over a large central skylight. The terminal façades are primarily glass, offering views out to the airfield.”
The 35-gate terminal will improve the passenger experience, with a consolidated checkpoint offering greater ease and efficiency for travelers 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 and concessions located down the center of the concourse to enable passengers to see their gate, while enjoying a taste of New Orleans or picking up last-minute souvenirs.
