Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) – Live TSA Wait Times & Traveler Updates

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), located in Kenner just west of downtown New Orleans, is the primary airport for southeast Louisiana and one of the fastest-growing airports in the Gulf South. Serving millions of passengers each year, MSY offers nonstop service to major cities across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean through airlines like Southwest, Delta, American, United, Spirit, JetBlue, Alaska, and Frontier.

MSY operates from a single, modern terminal opened in 2019 — designed with wide hallways, high ceilings, and a clean, intuitive layout that significantly improved the passenger experience compared to the former terminal. The new terminal houses all ticketing, security, gates, and food options under one roof, making it easy to navigate even during peak travel periods.

The airport’s blend of Louisiana culture, local restaurants, and updated amenities makes MSY one of the most unique airport experiences in the country.

MSY has one main TSA security checkpoint located on Level 2 of the terminal. The centralized layout helps streamline screening and reduce confusion. The checkpoint includes multiple lanes that open and expand based on passenger volume.

MSY Security Includes:

• TSA PreCheck
• CLEAR Plus
• Standard screening lanes
• Priority lanes for eligible passengers

Because MSY relies on a single checkpoint, wait times can fluctuate during heavy traffic periods — but lines generally move steadily during most of the day.

Peak Security Times at MSY:

• Early morning departures (4:30–8:00 a.m.)
• Mid-afternoon flights (2:30–5:00 p.m.)
• Weekends, especially Fridays and Sundays

The checkpoint typically opens around 3:30 a.m. and remains active until the last flight departure.