Five changes I would make to MSY

Delta Air Lines MD88, pushing back from D4 at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

xposted to YatPundit and YatTravel

MSY rated very poorly in a JD Power survey taken over the winter, ranking something like 31st out of 32 or 33 among small-sized airports.  I was surprised at this, mainly because I fly Delta so much and hide in the SkyClub (which is where I shot the above photo) that I don't really experience MSY as the average passenger does.  New Orleans is a "terminal" or "spoke" airport; we're a destination rather than a hub.  A couple of recent trips out of MSY have put me into the more "typical" passenger mode, however.  We went to DisneyWorld to see kiddo perform with his high school's band, so we took Southwest to Orlando for that trip.  On my last trip Helsinki, I went MSY-DTW-AMS-HEL, and the first leg to Detroit left from "C" concourse rather than Delta's home on "D," because they're doing a lot of construction on "D."  These trips gave me some insight into what sorts of complaints fliers have about MSY.

Here are some thoughts on improvements:

1.  Improve the atmosphere on "C" concourse
The "C" concourse, at the center of the airport, is the original set of gates from LANOIA's opening in the 1950s.  It's got a great high ceiling and windows set into the top of the high walls on either side of the main hallway.  In the daytime, this improves things a bit, but on a cloudy day or in the evenings, "C" is gloomy and foreboding.  Maybe it's because American and United depart from "C" that makes for so many unhappy people, but the overall appearance of the concourse could be improved with some bright colors, and a bit more New Orleans-style customization.  Maybe some purple/green/gold, or a local-themed mural or two would do the trick.  There's already a small history exhibit by the food court on "C," photographs of famous jazz musicians and bands from the early 1900s.  It's interesting, but stark and black-and-white.  While all of the airport could use a few more splashes of color, "C" is in serious need.

2.  Boost the Wi-Fi
Free wi-fi isn't a new concept for small airports.  It's been a factor in drawing people away from the bigger ones for a few years now.  With New Orleans expanding our presence in the cruise line industry, free wi-fi at the airport is one of those things that makes a visitor's experience all the nicer.  They've been out on the ship for days, where contact to the outside world is an extra charge (if available at all), so being able to check in with the online world on the way out is helpful. 

The problem is, the wi-fi signal on "C" is horrid.  It's not too bad over on the Southwest concourse (B), but it's just awful in the middle of the airport.  This is easily fixed with a few more access points. 

3.  Re-think the location of some of the security checkpoints
Most of the food and services at MSY are outside security, and that's problematic in the current airport security model.  The structure of the front of the airport is still pre-9/11 in many ways, when it was much easier to go in-and-out.  Once you've cleared security, you're at the mercy of Pampy Barre's godawful food, where there's a lot of good stuff, even for an airport!  I suspect that the low JD Power rating includes a great deal of dissatisfaction at the crappy food on the concourses.  Outside security, there's a decent restaurant, Popeyes, Sonic, and a PJ's Coffee. 

It would take some re-thinking and re-structuring of people flow, but it wouldn't be too difficult to push the security checkpoint on "D" out to include the now-closed restaurant location there behind security.  Same for the food places between "A" and "B" - make a single checkpoint for those two on that side.

4.  Bring back live music!
At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, the busiest airport in North America, there's often a live piano player out on the international concourse (E).  You'd be amazed at how much of an improvement that music is to the airport experience.  LANOIA used to have a brass band walk through the airport, but dropped them because of cost-that combo cost them $1000 a day. 

Perhaps a compromise can be worked out on music.  Admittedly, $365K is a lot of money, but perhaps bands could be booked for peak days, like around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other high-traffic, high-stress days.  Music well and truly does sooth the savage flier, and would be well worth the price to settle down folks.

5.  Set up more "kid-friendly" areas.
I'm not sure if this would be the responsibility of the various airlines or of LANOIA, but some kid-friendly areas would be helpful.  Kids trapped at an airport gatehouse get restless and miserable fast; get them busy and keep them occupied and everyone's stress levels drop.