Facility Overview
The Cell Phone Parking Lot at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is a dedicated, complimentary staging area situated along Terminal Drive in Kenner, Louisiana. Designed specifically to streamline curbside passenger pick-ups at the MSY consolidated passenger terminal, this open-air asphalt surface facility eliminates the need for drivers to circle terminal roadways or queue illegally along airport shoulders. Because the facility is an expansive outdoor lot with no overhead barriers or height restriction bars, it readily accommodates standard passenger cars, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, passenger vans, and high-roof conversion vehicles with complete ease.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Conveniently situated just two to three minutes by car from the main arrivals pickup curb of the modern MSY terminal, this staging lot offers an effortless base for welcoming friends, family, and business travelers. Outside of direct airport operations, the facility is centrally located in Kenner, just minutes from the Laketown waterfront on Lake Pontchartrain, the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center, Rivertown\'s historic cultural district, and Kenner\'s diverse array of authentic Cajun and Creole eateries along Airline Drive and Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Downtown New Orleans, the French Quarter, and the Caesars Superdome are situated approximately 12 to 15 miles to the east via Interstate 10.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Access to the lot is straightforward and clearly signposted along MSY airport approach roads, whether arriving via Interstate 10 (Exit 221 for Loyola Drive / Airport Access Road) or via US-61 (Airline Drive). The roadway design ensures swift ingress into the parking bays and immediate egress back onto Terminal Drive toward the Arrivals curb once your passenger contacts you after claiming luggage. In addition, regional transit options such as the Jefferson Transit (JET) Kenner Local and the RTA Route 202 Airport Express operate close by, providing seamless connectivity across Greater New Orleans.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- 100% free short-term waiting for motorists picking up inbound flight passengers
- Open-air surface parking layout with wide driving lanes and generous vehicle bays
- No vertical height clearance restrictions, accommodating high-roof vans, lifted trucks, and commercial SUVs
- High-visibility overhead lighting and periodic airport security patrols for safety
- Designated accessible (ADA) parking spaces conveniently located near entry points
- Paved, clearly marked pedestrian and vehicular traffic lanes
- Immediate vehicular access to the MSY terminal curbside pickup zones
Ideal For
- Drivers meeting arriving friends, family members, or business colleagues landing at MSY
- Rideshare and taxi drivers taking a brief permitted pause between airport pickups
- Travelers seeking to avoid terminal parking garage charges for brief airport greetings
- Visitors wanting a stress-free staging location while incoming passengers retrieve checked luggage
Visitor & Driver Tips
Vehicles in the MSY Cell Phone Lot must remain attended at all times; unattended cars are strictly prohibited and subject to immediate citation or towing by airport police. Coordinate closely with your traveler to ensure they have physically collected their luggage at baggage claim and arrived at the designated outer pickup curb before you exit the lot. Flight tracking apps can help you monitor live inbound flight statuses before departing for the airport, making your pickup run as seamless and efficient as possible.
