NEW ORLEANS—Today, USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award program announced that the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) ranked third in its 2021 Best Large Airport contest. The public voted for this honor after MSY was initially nominated among 12 other airports by a panel of travel industry experts.

“It is an outstanding achievement to have our Airport named as one of the top three in the country,” said Judge Michael Bagneris, Chair of the New Orleans Aviation Board. “This is proof positive that the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Aviation Board’s investment in a new terminal facility was well worth it.”

“Not only have we been making significant investments in our Airport’s infrastructure, but we have also been laser focused on ensuring that our passengers receive the best possible customer service experience,” said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation. “We are grateful that the panel of experts from USA Today recognized this by selecting MSY, and we would like to sincerely thank every individual from the Greater New Orleans Region and beyond who voted for us throughout the four-week voting period.”

The top ten winners in this category are as follows:

1. Denver International Airport
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
3. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport 
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
5. Orlando International Airport
6. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
7. Nashville International Airport
8. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
9. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
10. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

In Nov. 2019, MSY moved all 16 airlines to its new, 972,000 square-foot terminal and drastically improved the first thing visitors see when they arrive in New Orleans. The new terminal features three concourses, 35 gates, two new parking garages, a surface parking lot next to the terminal. It was built with the passenger experience in mind, and features a consolidated checkpoint through which all passengers have access to more than 40 different food and retail concessions once beyond security.

Other amenities available in the new terminal include:

• MSY-Fi – fast free Wi-Fi
• Outlets in 50 percent of seats in the gate areas
• 11 water bottle refilling stations post security
• Three Mothers Rooms
• Fully automated restrooms with sanitary seat covers
• A pet relief area post security
• Music venues located pre and post security
• Three curbside check-in locations with easy access to the Short Term Garage