Does Southwest Airlines offer free checked bags at Louis Armstrong Airport?

Yes. Southwest Airlines includes two free checked bags for every passenger on every fare — this policy applies at MSY and all other Southwest airports. If you are willing to check a bag, Southwest makes it essentially free. For carry-on only travelers, Southwest is also straightforward: one carry-on bag plus one personal item are permitted with no add-on fee. Southwest operates a large number of routes into MSY and is one of the best-value carriers for New Orleans travel.

What are Spirit and Frontier carry-on fees at MSY?

Both Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines charge fees for carry-on bags above personal-item size. A personal item (typically a small backpack or underseat bag) is free; a standard overhead bin carry-on requires a paid add-on. Fees vary by route and purchase timing — buying the carry-on add-on at booking is almost always cheaper than paying at the gate. If you are flying Spirit or Frontier to New Orleans and want overhead bin space, add it at booking.

How hot and humid is New Orleans in summer?

New Orleans summers are extreme. July and August temperatures regularly exceed 32°C with humidity levels above 90%. The heat index — how it actually feels — routinely reaches 40°C or higher. Pack the lightest, most breathable clothing you own. Linen, moisture-wicking synthetics, and lightweight cotton all perform better than heavier fabrics. Hydration is a genuine health consideration, not just comfort. Limit outdoor midday exposure during peak summer months.

What shoes should I pack for the French Quarter?

The French Quarter has uneven sidewalks, frequent street flooding after rain, and long walking distances between venues. Pack comfortable shoes with closed toes and good grip. Leather-soled dress shoes become dangerously slippery on wet New Orleans streets and provide no protection against puddles. Well-cushioned trail runners or walking shoes handle the terrain in all conditions. Bring a spare pair of socks if you plan to walk after heavy rain.

How should I pack for Mardi Gras season?

Mardi Gras season runs from early January through Fat Tuesday (date varies, but typically February). Pack one festive outfit — purple, green, and gold are traditional colors — and bring a small net bag or lightweight tote for catching parade throws (beads, cups, toys). Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable for parade routes. Book accommodation months in advance. Streets are crowded and flight prices peak sharply in the two weeks before Fat Tuesday.

Carry-On Only for New Orleans: Airlines, MSY, and Packing Tips

New Orleans is one of the most fun carry-on destinations in the United States, partly because Southwest Airlines dominates the MSY market and its free-bag policy makes carry-on strategy easy. The main packing challenge is not the airline — it is the weather. New Orleans summers are genuinely extreme, and the French Quarter's uneven, flood-prone streets require the right footwear regardless of season.

Southwest Airlines: Free Bags, No Fees

Southwest is the dominant carrier at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and its two-free-checked-bags policy makes it an outlier in US aviation. For carry-on only travelers, Southwest still makes life easy: one carry-on plus one personal item, no overhead bin fees. For travelers open to checking a bag, Southwest eliminates the bag fee calculation entirely.

Southwest does not assign seats, which occasionally surprises first-time travelers. Check in exactly 24 hours before departure for the best boarding position. Southwest's A-List and A-List Preferred status or a Business Select fare gets you into the A boarding group automatically.

Other Carriers at MSY

Louis Armstrong Airport is served by all major US carriers: American, Delta, United, Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant all operate routes into MSY. The airport underwent a major renovation completed in 2019 and the new terminal is considerably easier to navigate than the old facility.

Spirit and Frontier charge for overhead bin carry-on bags as an add-on above their base fare. Buy the carry-on add-on at booking — it is typically $30–$60 cheaper than paying at check-in or at the gate. Frontier occasionally bundles the carry-on with seat selection in a package; compare total prices before booking.

American and Delta include a standard carry-on in their base fares on domestic routes, with personal items always permitted.

Allegiant operates a smaller number of routes to MSY from mid-sized US cities and charges for carry-on bags on its base fares in a similar structure to Spirit and Frontier.

Packing for New Orleans

Lightest clothing possible. New Orleans summer heat is the primary packing constraint. If you are visiting between May and September, pack your thinnest, most breathable clothing. Linen shirts and lightweight moisture-wicking fabrics are genuinely more comfortable than cotton in New Orleans humidity. Dark colors show sweat visibly. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing performs best. Even outside summer, New Orleans is warm — spring and autumn are pleasant but rarely cold.

Light rain layer. New Orleans receives frequent afternoon thunderstorms year-round and is particularly rainy in the spring and summer. A compact packable rain jacket or a small umbrella is worth carrying daily. French Quarter streets flood quickly after heavy rain, and some low-lying areas accumulate significant water. Check the forecast before heading out and be prepared to wait out storms under a covered balcony — a very New Orleans activity.

Comfortable walking shoes with grip. The French Quarter, Marigny, and Bywater neighborhoods — the core of most visitor itineraries — involve significant walking on old, uneven brick sidewalks. After rain, these surfaces become slippery. Pack shoes with rubber soles and enough cushioning for a full day of walking. Consider a pair that you would not mind getting wet, as street flooding can make puddle avoidance impossible.

One festive outfit for Mardi Gras or jazz venues. If visiting during Mardi Gras season (January through Fat Tuesday), bring one festive outfit in traditional purple, gold, and green. Jazz clubs and evenings on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny call for smart-casual rather than formal wear — New Orleans dresses up creatively, not conventionally.

Net bag for parade throws. During Mardi Gras, parade floats throw beads, cups, and toys to the crowd. A lightweight folded net bag or tote weighs almost nothing and serves as a catch bag. Full bags of throws can accumulate quickly — the net bag keeps them contained and leaves both hands free.

Hand sanitizer. Bourbon Street and other high-traffic areas involve a lot of shared surfaces, crowd contact, and outdoor eating. A small hand sanitizer fits in any bag pocket.

Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY)

MSY's new terminal (opened 2019) is one of the better recent US airport builds: clear wayfinding, good food options, and efficient security lanes. It sits about 16 miles west of the French Quarter, roughly a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic. Rideshare and taxi services are well-organized at MSY. The airport code MSY comes from the original Moisant Stock Yards site — one of many NOLA facts you will learn if you spend time here.

Security at MSY is standard TSA. Arrive 90 minutes before domestic departure and 2.5 hours before international flights during normal periods; budget extra time during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, when the airport is significantly busier.