Accessibility

New Orleans (MSY) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair assistance at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is provided free by your airline — request it at booking for best results. For security screening help, call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel to have a Passenger Support Specialist waiting at the checkpoint. Family lanes, service animal relief areas, and sensory rooms are covered below.

Airline-provided service

Wheelchair assistance

Request wheelchair assistance through your airline at booking, or at the ticket counter/gate agent on travel day — airlines provide the wheelchair and staff from curbside through the gate at MSY.

Tip: request at booking rather than at the airport — airline wheelchair assistants are in higher demand at peak times and early requests are filled first.

TSA Cares

Free security screening assistance

TSA Cares is a free helpline and on-site assistance program for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other circumstances that may affect the security screening process.

How to use: Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the MSY security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.

Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight (or submit a request online) to arrange a Passenger Support Specialist who will meet you at the checkpoint and help you through screening. For day-of questions, MSY's own TSA checkpoint office can be reached directly at 504-463-2252.

Security lanes

MSY does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints. Ask any TSA agent at the checkpoint for assistance — agents are trained to help travelers with special needs and can route you around standard queue lines.

Service animal relief areas

Pre-security: outside the terminal on Level 1, between the short-term parking garage and the terminal (exit Door 5, turn right). Post-security: near the Shake Shack location on Level 2.

Note: service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow individual airline policies — check with your carrier before travel.

Quiet and sensory room

MSY does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. MSY does not have a dedicated sensory or quiet room. The airport does run a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program (free sunflower lanyards from the Customer Service desk, Level 1 Baggage Claim) so staff can recognize travelers who need extra patience or support, and each of the three concourses has a post-security Mother's Room that can serve as a quieter space in a pinch. For anything more, contact TSA Cares in advance or ask at Customer Service.

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

MSY does not rent wheelchairs or scooters on-site; airline-provided wheelchair assistance (free) covers curbside-to-gate movement. If you need your own mobility scooter or wheelchair for the wider trip, third-party companies such as Scootaround and Cloud of Goods deliver rentals to the airport or to New Orleans hotels.

Motorized scooters and power wheelchairs are generally available from airlines for gate-to-gate use; contact your carrier directly if you need a motorized device beyond a standard transport chair.

Pro Tip

Because MSY has no dedicated family/medical security lane, call TSA Cares (1-855-787-2227) at least 72 hours ahead if you'll need screening assistance, and if a companion needs to walk you to the gate, register in advance for an Indulge MSY Guest Pass at the Level 1 kiosk (between Doors 2–3) rather than assuming you can get one same-day.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheelchair assistance free at MSY airport?

Yes — wheelchair assistance at MSY is provided free of charge by your airline or their contracted ground handler. Request it at booking or check-in. The airline arranges and covers the cost; no tipping is required, though it is appreciated.

How do I contact TSA Cares before my flight from MSY?

Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight. The helpline is open weekdays 8 a.m.–11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. You can also submit a request online at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the MSY security checkpoint at no cost.

Does MSY airport have a family security lane?

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints, but TSA officers are trained to accommodate travelers who need extra time. MSY has a single consolidated security checkpoint on Level 2 with standard, PreCheck, and CLEAR lanes, but no dedicated family/special-assistance lane. Non-ticketed companions generally cannot go past the checkpoint except for specific medical or parental needs, or by registering for an Indulge MSY Guest Pass (18+, valid REAL ID or passport, available at the Level 1 kiosk between Doors 2–3) — arrange this in advance if you need someone to accompany you through security.

Where is the service animal relief area at MSY airport?

Pre-security: outside the terminal on Level 1, between the short-term parking garage and the terminal (exit Door 5, turn right). Post-security: near the Shake Shack location on Level 2. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.

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