Why is a major international airport named after a daredevil aviator and a jazz legend?

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, or MSY, hides a complex history beneath its runways. Its IATA code traces back to John Moisant, a pioneer aviator who died on the site in 1910. Today, it serves as a vital gateway, though it remains one of the world's lowest-lying major airports.

The airport's origins are rooted in the early 20th century, when the land served as agricultural fields. Following the tragic 1910 death of aviator John Moisant, the area became the Moisant Stock Yards, a name that eventually birthed the airport's enduring IATA code, MSY. By 1940, as the nearby New Orleans Lakefront Airport proved insufficient for growing demand, plans for a new facility began. During World War II, the site functioned as a government air base before transitioning to civil control, with commercial service officially commencing in May 1946.

The facility has faced significant environmental and operational challenges throughout its history. Situated just 4.5 feet above sea level, it ranks as the third lowest-lying international airport globally, trailing only Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Atyrau International Airport. This vulnerability was starkly illustrated in 1947 when the airport was submerged under two feet of water following a hurricane, and again in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina forced a temporary suspension of operations. Despite these setbacks, the airport has undergone massive transformations, including the 2019 opening of a new $1.3 billion terminal designed by Cesar Pelli.

Beyond its infrastructure, the airport has been shaped by the evolution of global aviation. In 1978, it saw its first nonstop transatlantic flight to Amsterdam, and by 2001, it was renamed to honor Louis Armstrong on the centenary of his birth. While the airport has endured several aviation tragedies, including the 1982 Pan Am Flight 759 crash, it has also pioneered safety improvements, such as modern wind shear detection. Today, the airport serves millions of passengers annually, connecting the New Orleans metropolitan area to dozens of global destinations.

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