MSY

Best window seat at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offLEFT

Lake Pontchartrain, Mississippi River bend, New Orleans city grid

LandingRIGHT

Lake Pontchartrain, Mississippi River with its distinctive crescent bend, New Orleans city grid and downtown skyline

🛫 Taking Off from New Orleans (MSY)

Best sideLeft
WhyRunway 11 (the most common departure runway) heads east-northeast at 106°, placing the left side toward the north. From climb-out, the left window offers views of Lake Pontchartrain and the northern suburbs of New Orleans, while the right side shows the industrial Mississippi River corridor and southern sprawl—less visually distinctive during the critical first few minutes of flight.
Look forLake Pontchartrain (north), Mississippi River bend (south/southeast), New Orleans city grid (immediate vicinity), Metairie and Kenner suburbs (north/northeast)
Left window seat view during takeoff from New Orleans (MSY) — Lake Pontchartrain (north), Mississippi River bend (south/southeast), New Orleans city grid (immediate vicinity), Metairie and Kenner suburbs (north/northeast)Left Side
Right window seat view during takeoff from New Orleans (MSY) — Lake Pontchartrain (north), Mississippi River bend (south/southeast), New Orleans city grid (immediate vicinity), Metairie and Kenner suburbs (north/northeast)Right Side

🛬 Landing at New Orleans (MSY)

Best sideRight
WhyRunway 29 (the primary landing runway) has a heading of 286°, meaning final approach comes from the east-northeast. Right-side seats face south during descent, offering views of Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River bend, and the city grid of New Orleans as you descend toward the airport on the south shore.
Look forLake Pontchartrain (north across the water), Mississippi River with its distinctive crescent bend (west and southwest), New Orleans city grid and downtown skyline (southwest), industrial areas and refineries along the river corridor (west)
Left window seat view during landing at New Orleans (MSY) — Lake Pontchartrain (north across the water), Mississippi River with its distinctive crescent bend (west and southwest), New Orleans city grid and downtown skyline (southwest), industrial areas and refineries along the river corridor (west)Left Side
Right window seat view during landing at New Orleans (MSY) — Lake Pontchartrain (north across the water), Mississippi River with its distinctive crescent bend (west and southwest), New Orleans city grid and downtown skyline (southwest), industrial areas and refineries along the river corridor (west)Right Side

MSY operates from a modern single terminal that opened in 2019, replacing the older facility. It has two concourses and is designed to handle the city's steady tourism and convention traffic.

⛰️ Elevation7 ft
🛫 Runways2 (11/29, 02/20)
📍 NearbyBTR 65 miGPT 77 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)?

At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International in New Orleans: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Right side. Notable views include: Lake Pontchartrain (north), Mississippi River bend (south/southeast), New Orleans city grid (immediate vicinity), Metairie and Kenner suburbs (north/northeast).

What can I see during takeoff from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International in New Orleans?

When taking off from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Runway 11 (the most common departure runway) heads east-northeast at 106°, placing the left side toward the north. From climb-out, the left window offers views of Lake Pontchartrain and the northern suburbs of New Orleans, while the right side shows the industrial Mississippi River corridor and southern sprawl—less visually distinctive during the critical first few minutes of flight. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain (north), Mississippi River bend (south/southeast), New Orleans city grid (immediate vicinity), Metairie and Kenner suburbs (north/northeast).

What can I see when landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International in New Orleans?

When landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Right side for the best views. Runway 29 (the primary landing runway) has a heading of 286°, meaning final approach comes from the east-northeast. Right-side seats face south during descent, offering views of Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River bend, and the city grid of New Orleans as you descend toward the airport on the south shore. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain (north across the water), Mississippi River with its distinctive crescent bend (west and southwest), New Orleans city grid and downtown skyline (southwest), industrial areas and refineries along the river corridor (west).

What factors affect the best window seat at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International?

The best window seat at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around New Orleans (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.