I really don't understand all the griping in this thread.

MSY doesn't seem any worse than LAX, to me (at least, the bathrooms aren't any worse. I flew into LAX last week and because of a delay didn't have time to hit the lounge; changing in the bathroom by the continental gates was not an experience I want to repeat). I wouldn't want to connect through MSY, but on the other hand I can usually get from my car to the gate in 20 minutes flat, and the airport is 12 miles from the CBD. The USPark shuttle runs about every 3 minutes (I've never had to wait longer than that).

The airside concessions at MSY are, admittedly, awful. The landside concessions are just fine, IMO- there's decent coffee (PJs) and fast food (a popeyes and a sonic come to mind, plus a beignet outlet), and an acme franchise. The problem is if you're waiting at the gate, your options are quite limited- either a lucky dog or an overpriced smoothie. This is the main distinguishing factor between MSY and IAH-B, I think- at least at IAH-B, most (all?) the concessions are airside. Unfortunately, like many airports, MSY was designed before modern security procedures, and all the good stuff is outside. It sounds like the common thread is that frequent flyers tend to rush to the gate then look for something to eat- that kind of attitude will leave you stuck in NO. The design of the airport makes this difficult to fix without basically tearing the whole place down- something unlikely to happen. On the other hand, security is normally a pretty quick process (these new porno scanners are slowing things down though).

In a perfect world all american airports would be like IAH-E or PIT, with lots of check in space and a big open terminal. But honestly, considering the convenience of MSY to the city of new orleans, and the fact that it's so fast to get from check in through security to the gate, I think MSY works just fine.

As to the people who don't like the city of new orleans- well, if your idea of living is highways and "fine dining" chain restaurants, it's just not for you.

I must be flying into a completely different PIT.

Big open terminal, big windows, all concessions airside, all gates easily accessible from all other gates? Been a while since I've flown through it since it was downsized as a hub, but I remember the design of the airport being excellent.

oopsz,

I'm not arguing convienence. I park on the 4th floor next to the bridge, and can usually be at the gate in under 10 minutes with the elite line. It's easy to get there from any part of the city (more of a function of the actual small size on NOLA vs. other cities and our much smaller foot print instead of some great urban planning design). I also don't agree with the posters that bring down NOLA. Not everyone gets it. However, there is no excuse for filth. MSY was so mismanaged for years that the neglect is showing. The structure is what it is. I don't need new, I don't need windows. I don't need anything fancy. What I do need is for the bathrooms to be clean, a non-Pampy run caterer where I can get a cup of coffee if I have a few minutes to wait. Friends of mine own a business here in NOLA (a name you would recognize) and have a small outpost at the airport. They have horror stories of trying to deal with the airport. If you are from here you know of what any kind of municipal facility is like. All of the other airports named do have problems, but not the same kind as MSY. Their problems are in outdated infrastructure and crowding. Ours is in a general lack of management.

MSY is perhaps a bottom 50% airport by U.S. standards, but it's not nearly as bad as a lot of you guys make it seem. Granted, I wouldn't want it for my home airport, but it's not terrible for visitors. My two complaints about MSY are the security setup and lack of airside food options. I prefer MSY to LGA, by far.

For my money, TPA is the best airport in the U.S.

Meh
 

Been into and out of MSY about a dozen times the last few months, and once a year before that. I recall, first, that it's actually improved since Katrina. Agree that bathrooms are frequently dirty and food choices are pitiful inside the gates. Good news is that you can plan ahead to eat outside, for whatever it's worth, because security's so easy.

I think it can't qualify as a dump, though, entirely because of convenience to the city; quick security lines; and best of all on-time departures and arrivals. Beats out a ton of other, nicer airports on that score.

Come on, folks. As Jon Stewart once said: "It's Louisiana. It's a miracle the state's name is spelled right on its license plate."

+1 - I transited through IAH terminal B last year and was surprised at the variety of post-security concessions for an RJ terminal - especially compared to EWR Terminal A. (That said, the radial gate areas need to be bulldozed and rebuilt.

SON OF A... There's been a Sonic at MSY this whole time? (Turns out it's down by the US/WN gates.) Next time I'm definitely stopping in for a Limeade before heading to the rental cars...

SON OF A... There's been a Sonic at MSY this whole time? (Turns out it's down by the US/WN gates.) Next time I'm definitely stopping in for a Limeade before heading to the rental cars...[/QUOTE]

I believe there's a Popeyes right next to it. It's way better than KFC or Church's

MSY is GREAT for a home airport. Extremely easy to access in every way. One thing that no one has mentioned is that you have direct access to far more hubs than any other airport in the region. For instance, direct flights to almost all of CO and UA's hubs without having to connect to the closest one like all other smaller airports in the region do. Still, I wish they would put the direct LAX and SFO flight options back that were in place pre-Katrina. Hopefully the $755 million in upgrades will help with the niceties.

As a transplant who now flys out of MSY regularly, I initially fell in the dump camp frankly. Then again, MSP is pretty nice.

Having lived here for a year and a half and probably flown in/out of it 30+ times now, my opinions been turned. Appearances can be deceiving.

To echo others points here, it's:
* Convenient.
* Surprisingly on-time in my experience.
* Well connected to other hubs (SFO connection is returning I think).
* Free wifi.

On the other hand, the food is disappointing to me. They get great food at local events (Jazzfest, FQ Fest, Po-boy fest, etc)... Gets some of those vendors to set up more permanent or perhaps rotating deals. The issues with the concourse layout and security implications make this far more difficult however. This is mitigated somewhat by another posters comments that it doesn't function as a hub so you tend not to spend much time in the airport.

No comments on cars/shuttles. My wife either makes a run or I take a taxi most of the time. Wish the taxis were a bit less but they aren't bad.

Anyway, it's dated... While functional, there's a feel about it that I wish was better. Cosmetic improvements would definitely create a different air about the place and many's introduction to the city. And merging the air-side concourses somehow would make a big difference I think.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the renovations!

By the way, kudos to LANOIA for jumping into the fray in post 14.

Welcome to FT!

Amen. Finally went to Maximo's last night. Great stuff.

I like MAD, especially after seeing a crew of cleaners scrubbing all the seats in the gate areas at 5:00am, I doubt many airports do this!
The North Terminal at MIA has been greatly improved and all the new stores and eateries are definitely bringing it up on my list.
My favorite aipprt though is probably the whichever one I'm headed to on my next vacation!

Thank you for that charitable comment.

And I can definitely say the same thing about D.C.

Agree 100% with regard to your comments concerning New Orleans in general and MSY in particular. To be sure, MSY needs a big makeover with regard to the pax terminal and I believe this will happen. I usually fly out of LFT but there are times when I take the two hour land journey via I-10 and depart from MSY.

As for the city in general, it has made great strides since Katrina and remains a special place for yours truly, warts and all.

As Mark Knopfler with "Dire Straits" so eloquently put it:

"If she was an Ace and I was just a Jack......

And the cards were never seen.....

We could have been the the King and the Queen.....

But she took me on back to her courtyard.....

Where the magnolia perfume screams....

Behind the gates and the granite.....

On the planet.....

Of the New Orleans."

P.S. - Maximo's and many, many other restaurants are just part of the reason why N.O. remains a special place......:cool:

AFAIK UA flies LAX-MSY right now, and said it will add back SFO-MSY

PHX
 

Have you been to PHX lately? When it comes to the CO/UA gates, that place is a dump!!