The new MSY terminal is one of the more family-friendly airports in the US, and getting to the city with children is manageable with a little planning.
The Terminal Experience
MSY's terminal, opened in 2019, is modern and spacious. Baggage claim is on Level 1 with clear signage. Restrooms are clean and accessible. The layout is straightforward, which helps when you are trying to keep track of kids and luggage at the same time. There is nothing particularly complicated about navigating MSY with a family.
Best Option for Families: Pre-Booked Transfer
A private transfer lets you request child seats in advance, which is the key advantage for families. Louisiana law requires children under 6 or under 60 pounds to be in an appropriate child restraint. Taxis at MSY do not carry child seats, and rideshare drivers almost never have them. If your child needs a seat and you did not bring one from home, a pre-booked transfer is your only practical option.
Pickup is on Level 1, right outside baggage claim. No need to haul kids and bags up to Level 3 for a rideshare. Your driver helps with luggage, and you are in a vehicle headed to your hotel within minutes of walking out.
Flat-Rate Taxi with Kids
If your children are old enough to not need a car seat (over 6 and over 60 pounds in Louisiana), the flat-rate taxi is a solid choice. Walk out of baggage claim, join the queue, and pay $36 to the French Quarter. For a family of four, the fare is $36 plus $15 for the third and fourth passengers, totaling $66. That is reasonable for a family and avoids the Level 3 trek required for rideshares.
The downside is vehicle lottery. You get whatever taxi is next, and trunk space may be tight with a family's worth of luggage plus a stroller.
Rideshare Considerations
Rideshares from MSY pick up on Level 3, which means taking an elevator or escalator up two floors from baggage claim. With a stroller, multiple bags, and tired children, this is the most inconvenient pickup location at MSY. If you choose a rideshare, request an XL or SUV vehicle for adequate luggage space. Remember that rideshare drivers do not provide child seats.
Stroller and Luggage Tips
MSY's Level 1 baggage claim area is spacious, so assembling your stroller and organizing luggage is not as cramped as at some airports. Luggage carts are available. If you have booked a transfer, your driver will typically meet you near the exit doors and help carry bags to the vehicle. Specify the number and size of bags when booking to ensure the right vehicle is assigned.
Getting to Family-Friendly Areas
The French Quarter is walkable but not particularly stroller-friendly on its uneven sidewalks. Many families with young children prefer staying in the CBD, Garden District, or Uptown, which are slightly further from the airport but more practical with kids. A transfer or taxi to these areas costs $36-50.