For those of you who have flown from New Orleans to Orlando

[Pocahantas]

We are flying Southwest out of New Orleans in May. We have not been in the New Orleans airport in many years. I was just wondering if anyone has tips or information about the airport that we should know before we arrive. Our flight leaves around 5 pm on a Friday and we are driving from Lafayette. How is security?? Do they usually have long lines and do you think we need to be there 2 hours or more before the flight?? Just wanting to make sure we don't have any surprises once we get there. Thanks in advance!!

 

[msmouse]

Hi, we fly out of New Orleans all the time. We are from Baton Rouge and make frequent trips to Disney. Nothing really unusual about NO. We generally fly out early in the morning, so seeing that you are leaving later in the afternoon, 2 hours before flight time may not be a bad idea. The pre-boarders line is usually longer than the A, B & C lines put together. Guess that makes since since there will be lots of kids going to Disney. Have a great trip. We will be there in May too! Leaving 5/11-5/15. My son lives in Lafayette!

 

[Pocahantas]

Thanks for the info! We will be in Disney from May 6 to May 15.

 

[prncess674]

If you plan on eating at the airport be aware that most of the food establishments are before security. So many people look all flustered that they just spent all this time in the security line and think they will relax with a meal once past security only to realize that there really isn't much to eat other than a little kiosk hot dog past security. SWA at MSY has curbside checkin so you may want to have hubby drop you and the kiddies along with the luggage at curbside and have him go park the empty car, so you don't have to schlep your luggage all the way back to the terminal with kids in tow. Not sure when in May your are going but remember Memorial Day is at the end of the month which always means an increase in airport traffic. If you are travelling on a holiday weekend you should allow 90 minutes. I think 2 hrs is excessive. In all my years of travel (I live in New Orleans and travel EVERY week for work on an airplanes) I have never missed a flight. SWA has done a good job of increasing the security check traffic flow at MSY. It isn't that big of an airport.

 

[cajunmommy]

If you plan on getting to the airport around 3pm, I'm thinking you will be able to avoid most of the Friday afternoon rush in Baton Rouge.

Just a reminder, if you're travelling via I-10, there's significant construction between the Bluebonnet & Siegen Ln. exits on BOTH sides of the interstate. They're required to keep two lanes open in both directions, but they do narrow down. This causes some slow down even during non-rush times.

Wish we could be tagging along! Have a great trip!

 

[Pocahantas]

We are actually thinking of taking Hwy 90 down through Houma and Boutte so we can bypass all of the construction in Baton Rouge. This route connects with I-10 just before you get into New Orleans. It is a little bit longer but rarely has alot of traffic. We have taken it before and I think it would be a much better route for us due to all of the I-10 construction.