<strong>Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): </strong>New Orleans' international airport opened its modern new "Jet Age" terminal in 1959.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): New Orleans' international airport opened its modern new "Jet Age" terminal in 1959.
Courtesy New Orleans Aviation Board
<strong>Moisant International Airport: </strong>It was originally named for the aviator John Moisant, who died in a crash at the site in 1910.
Moisant International Airport: It was originally named for the aviator John Moisant, who died in a crash at the site in 1910.
Courtesy New Orleans Aviation Board
<strong>The name game: </strong>It became New Orleans International Airport in 1961 and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in 2001.
The name game: It became New Orleans International Airport in 1961 and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in 2001.
Courtesy New Orleans Aviation Board
<strong>Architecture: </strong>The striking mid-century design was by the firm Goldstein, Parham and Labouisse with Herbert A. Benson and George J. Riehl.
Architecture: The striking mid-century design was by the firm Goldstein, Parham and Labouisse with Herbert A. Benson and George J. Riehl.
Courtesy New Orleans Aviation Board
<strong>Hurricane Katrina: </strong>In 2005, the building's darkest and finest hour was as a shelter and staging area during Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina: In 2005, the building's darkest and finest hour was as a shelter and staging area during Hurricane Katrina.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
<strong>Closure:</strong> The terminal closed in November 2019. CNN Travel went to visit 18 months later.
Closure: The terminal closed in November 2019. CNN Travel went to visit 18 months later.
Chris Sloan
<strong>"Satchmo": </strong>The iconic nine-foot-high Louis Armstrong sculpture which presided over the vintage parabola structure, welcoming the masses of humanity, was still there.
"Satchmo": The iconic nine-foot-high Louis Armstrong sculpture which presided over the vintage parabola structure, welcoming the masses of humanity, was still there.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Ghost airport:</strong> It was once the bustling location of emotional embraces, reunions and farewells, and late passengers breathlessly running to make their flight.
Ghost airport: It was once the bustling location of emotional embraces, reunions and farewells, and late passengers breathlessly running to make their flight.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Memories:</strong> "My very first flight was out of this facility when I was seven years old," says Kevin Dolliole, the airport's director of aviation.
Memories: "My very first flight was out of this facility when I was seven years old," says Kevin Dolliole, the airport's director of aviation.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Eerie:</strong> "And having worked here over the years, having all of the memories of the hustle and bustle in this facility," says Dolliole. "It was really strange and almost sad to see it in a state like this."
Eerie: "And having worked here over the years, having all of the memories of the hustle and bustle in this facility," says Dolliole. "It was really strange and almost sad to see it in a state like this."
Chris Sloan
<strong>Anybody home?: </strong> CNN found the lights and air conditioning on. The whole place was spotless, even in the still functioning restrooms.
Anybody home?: CNN found the lights and air conditioning on. The whole place was spotless, even in the still functioning restrooms.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Powered down: </strong>It wasn't quite dead, but wasn't quite alive either. CNN was hard-pressed to find any detritus, save for a sole unprinted boarding pass.
Powered down: It wasn't quite dead, but wasn't quite alive either. CNN was hard-pressed to find any detritus, save for a sole unprinted boarding pass.
Chris Sloan
<strong>What next: </strong>Much of the 1.2 million square feet terminal will eventually meet its demise, with the original 1950s-era departures hall and Concourse A and B being the first to fall to the wrecking ball.
What next: Much of the 1.2 million square feet terminal will eventually meet its demise, with the original 1950s-era departures hall and Concourse A and B being the first to fall to the wrecking ball.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Bit by bit:</strong> "Our architectural team is going through the building figuring out how to break down a building with multiple generations of construction," says Jamie McCluskie, the airport's deputy director of aviation.
Bit by bit: "Our architectural team is going through the building figuring out how to break down a building with multiple generations of construction," says Jamie McCluskie, the airport's deputy director of aviation.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Empty apron: </strong>A passenger hadn't set foot in the place nor a jet parked on one of its gates since a few months before the Covid pandemic.
Empty apron: A passenger hadn't set foot in the place nor a jet parked on one of its gates since a few months before the Covid pandemic.
Chris Sloan
<strong>Pieces of the past: </strong>For those interested in owning an old ticket counter, a baggage claim carousel, gate chairs, or even a jet-bridge; there will likely be a public auction.
Pieces of the past: For those interested in owning an old ticket counter, a baggage claim carousel, gate chairs, or even a jet-bridge; there will likely be a public auction.
Chris Sloan