New Orleans Airport

The D concourse expansion is now complete so there is now a new coffee shop and another sundry shop available. An additional security lane for D looks like it is almost ready as well. In the next year the D and C concourses will be connected past security so that will improve the food and shopping options and allow everyone to access the sky club in the D concourse. Baggage claim is still a dungeon due to the low ceilings and separate areas. A new on-site rental car hub is under construction which will be a huge improvement over the current take-a-shuttle-to-someplace-in-the-neighbourhood approach.

Departed from the D gates the queue for security looked very long but was processed speedily. The facilities were very limited but we ate at Jester's restaurant which was surprisingly good.

Check-in adequate but the terminals especially Delta's are void of options for eating or shopping. Thankfully there was a Sky Club in that wing. Seemed old and a bit dark.

The airport terminals were renovated post-Katrina and the design is much improved with wider corridors better lighting and more open spaces. Security queues moved quickly during a busy holiday weekend. Food beverage and concession options are bare minimum limited to overpriced snack and sandwich shops and nothing reflecting New Orleans' rich culinary traditions. Road access to/from the terminal was also much improved post-Katrina. The rental car facility was moved off-airport but is only a 2-minute shuttle ride away.

Went through MSY twice last weekend. Arriving is a breeze. Ground transportation was easy to find. We had a long wait before departure. Check-in by kiosk was easy and there is a decent selection of shops and food landside. Security was fast with a two minute wait at maximum. The amenities on the D Concourse (Delta) were very limited. Food kiosks (expensive selections). But there are enough power outlets to make do with a laptop and some of the gates not in use had nice panoramic views of the active runways.

Old drab and somewhat run-down. Long walk from concourses thru baggage claim to rental car counters then another lengthy walk outside across pickup area to catch a bus to get to the rental car lots. The one plus-short security lines & pleasant TSA staff.

I had a 0645 departure for Chicago which was one of many at that time. There was only one restaurant open and it was serving only hot food--not a great option for carry-on-board. If concessions are granted to suppliers they need to be open and functioning when the passengers are there - especially those that deal in food and other on-board needs. Poor marks for this.

Small airport rarely crowded. Good selection of restaurants. Baggage claim and passenger pick up area outside baggage is poorly lit at night and dirty. Taxis that pickup at the airport are usually dirty. Can carry and drink alcoholic beverages anywhere in the airport.