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April 22, 2022New Orleans Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on November 30, 2023
The Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY/KMSY) is the gateway to the great and famous city of New Orleans. The airport is located west of the city center and was opened in 1946 as the former airport got too small. MSY served around 8 million passengers in 2021 The airport offers a nice mixture considering the carriers: from various LCC, to the big US players as well as smaller airlines like the new founded Breeze Airways and plenty GA and cargo airlines. The only intercontinental flights that arrive are operated by British Airways, with a 787 from London Heathrow and Condor with a 767 from Frankfurt.
A new terminal building, north of runway 11/29, opened in 2019 and handles all flights now. The old one, at the southern part of the airport areal, is used for charter flights and sometimes for diversion that come through.
Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with local Geneva Lewis (Follow her on Instagram). Last Update: Spring 2022
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 02/20 | 3080m /10104ft |
| 11/29 | 2134m / 7001ft |
| Terminals | |
| Concourse A | United, Delta, Frontier |
| Concourse B | Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, American |
| Concourse C | Spirit, United, Delta |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Ladders are not forbidden generally, but always attract attention. If you still need an obstacle for a higher stand, try to quickly stand and shoot from your car’s top. |
| Car/Public Transport | Use of a car is recommended as spots are off the beaten path and not connected to public transport. Spot 1 is a good location if you fly in and out of MSY. |
| Drinks/Food | The area around most spots is rather industrial without many restaurants, however there are some shops along the busy streets as usual. We recommend to have a break at the “Cafe Du Monde” at Williams Blvd, which is directly below the approach path of runway 20. |
| Hotels | There is no hotel in MSY offering a view on the airfield. South of the airport, near the old terminal, you will find some hotels. |
| Season | Hurricane season lasts from June to November and during the summer months it’s typically hot and humid and often hazy. The rest of the year the weather is quite enjoyable. Regarding traffic there is no real season with highs and lows. |
| Security | In general, spotting around MSY is pretty safe and calm and you should not be hassled by airport security or police.
Please be also aware of following facts: The police is quite harsh of endangering the streets safety, so if you are standing beside a street and you are visible to drivers, police may ask you to leave as you may distract drivers from keeping their attention onto the road traffic. Some police officers may react rude to our hobby as they suspect terrorism by photography of airplanes. Always be polite and stay in car when a police officer stops for an ID check. Do not leave your car unless you are told to do so! The spots described in this guide are mostly safe but check the MISC box for further details. Spotterguide.net is not liable for any inconvenience and misbehavior towards the police of fellow spotters. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | Most of the time runway 20 will be in use, but sometimes you will also see 11/29 movements. It is also not uncommon to see 20 arrivals and 29 departures at the same time. |
| 02/20 | Most of the time southwards usage, rarely 02 usage. |
| 11/29 | Not as often in use as the other runway, but 11/29 movements are not too rare either. Mostly 29 departures. |
Long Term Parking Garage - 02/20 movements
| WHERE | This spot is located on MSY’s long term parking just east of the airport’s new terminal. Simply make your way to the garage and then the garage’s top floor for the best view. Parking prices are as following (as of 2022): First half hour $4 — Each additional half hour: $2 (Maximum 24 hours $20) |
| WHAT | You are able to catch aircraft landing and taking off on Rwy 20/02. You are also able to photograph aircrafts parked at Concourse C. |
| TIME | Spotting is best from midday on till sunset. |
| MISC. | Garage security are instructed to not harass spotters, inform police/airport security in advance to be safe??? Heat haze might be an issue on hot summer days. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400mm |
Corbin Street - 20 Arrivals + Line Ups
| WHERE | This position is located just west of the runway’s northern end at the end of Corbin St or the neighbour 26th St. Simply come here, park your car by the roadside and either shoot thru the mesh or from your car’s top. |
| WHAT | 20/02 Arrivals coming from the north (20) and departures taking off towards the north (02). Great for Arrivals and Line up shots! |
| TIME | Spotting is best from midday on till sunset. |
| MISC. | Chain link fence obstruction, standing on your vehicle will help. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm |
Virgina Street - 20 Arrivals
| WHERE | All along Virgina Street in the short final for runway 20. Come here by car so you can always “hide” in your car to avoid attention. |
| WHAT | This spot is best for 20 arrivals, but line-ups may also work. |
| TIME | Spotting is best from midday on till sunset. |
| MISC. | The business around here are okay with spotters as long as you do not get in the way. Always behave appropiate and follow the staff’s instructions. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm |
Kenner Autoplex Lot - 20 Arrivals
| WHERE | The two positions are located at the overpass of the Airport Rd (to Interstate 10) and the Verterans Blvd. and both are suitable for northern arrivals. If coming from the airport drive northwards on the Airport rd and exit at Veterans Blvd. In the morning take the left lane and turn left and don´t drive on the Veterans Blvd but park under the overpass. In the afternoon turn left into to Veterans Blvd and drive until the next street on the right. Turn into it and look for a parking option on the right on the grassy area, an unzoned open area where you can see the landing planes for runway 19. This is a lot for the Autoplex dealership. ONLY spot from here when business is closed on weekends. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 20. |
| TIME | Spotting is possible all day as you can easily switch sides. |
| MISC. | This is a Drive by/quick stop spot, be careful of Police as usually a Police speed trap is installed here. It can happen that Kenner police will stop you for spotting, they will question you. Just be honest, show your work and they will most likely tell you to spot from the airport side of the highway = Spot 3/Virgina St. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm |
Morning Location:
Afternoon Location:
Meadow - 02 Arrivals
| WHERE | From highway 61 turn down into Hollandey St and find a spot in the area between the end of the runway and the nearby trainlines. Just search your favourite position around here. |
| WHAT | You can shoot arrivals from the south on RWY 02 either looking to the east (afternoon side) or also from directly below the arrival path for belly shots. |
| TIME | Spotting is possible all day as you can easily switch sides. |
| MISC. | Keep a low profile as you can easily be seen on the plain meadow here. Road is in use and can be congested when the train passes along the racks perpendicular to the road. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm |
Mississippi River Running Trail - 02 Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot can be found all along Mississippi river trail, which is a pedestrian running trail. Park your vehicle at Lasalle’s landing parking lot and walk the trail till you reach your favourite position. Or park at the little off shoots of Centanni Ln, Hollandey St and George St. But DO NOT park at Butler St or Duncan St the owner of the near by home will run you off. |
| WHAT | You are looking to catch arrivals above the Mississippi river and your heads. |
| TIME | Spotting is possible all day as you can easily switch sides. |
| MISC. | The trail is used by normal people as well, so behave appropiately and politely answer all questions to avoid police calls. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200mm |
29 departures + Cargo Ramp
| WHERE | This is an industrial property by Delta Cargo at the end of W Access Rd, enter at your own risk. Airport Ops will run you off if you look to sketchy and the business will tell to move your vehicle. |
| WHAT | You can see the Cargo Ramp in front plus 29 departures. |
| TIME | Around midday is best here. |
| MISC. | DO NOT stay here too long, this is a stop and shoot spot as well. If you want to shoot through a fence, you can get some shots of parked cargo aircrafts. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm |
22nd Street - 11/29 movements
| WHERE | All along 22nd St, which is a quiet dead end road. Please be mindful of the business, they like to send spotters away. So it is best to go on weekends when businesses are closed! |
| WHAT | Good for all movements on runway 11/29. |
| TIME | Only on early summer mornings/late evenings or clouded days to avoid backlit. |
| MISC. | Chain link fence obstruction, standing on your vehicle will help. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-250mm |
Aberdeen St - 11/29 movements + GA Ramp
| WHERE | This spot is located just west of the airport’s GA ramp and signature flight facility at the end of Aberdeen St. |
| WHAT | Good for all movements on runway 11/29. You can also see aircrafts parked at the FBOs and occasional military aircrafts as well. |
| TIME | Only on early summer mornings/late evenings or clouded days to avoid backlit. |
| MISC. | Chain link fence obstruction, standing on your vehicle will help.. Haze may be an issue. Airport security/signature flight may ask you to leave. Rather keep a low profile and only get out of your car once needed! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm |
Terminal - Western Apron
| WHERE | This spot is located inside the Terminal in the southwestern finger. Just pass the security check and come here to the window front from where you can nicely see the apron. |
| WHAT | From here you can nicely see the apron west of the terminal complex. |
| TIME | Best on mornings. |
| MISC. | All facilities inside this finger like restrooms or foodshops. Window refelctions or dirt may be an issue as well as the blue/green tone! Keep in mind, that you need a VALID BOARDING PASS to reach this spot, which is located AFTER SECURITY CHECK, so it’s AIRSIDE. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-250mm |
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