My last stop on my trip for Derby Pie was The Club MSY, a Priority Pass lounge at New Orleans airport. Like its sister Club in Charleston, I found this lounge quite solid for a smaller airport.
Note: this installment is part of my larger trip report to Louisville and New Orleans in December, 2021. Click here for the trip report summary and introductory post.
The Club MSY
Location
While the lounge technically sits in Concourse A, it really straddles the entrances of both the A and B concourses. After passing security, turn right through the food court towards concourses A and B. After passing Cafe du Monde and the hallway to Concourse B, you’ll see a Vino Volo on the right.
Continue a little further, and you’ll see an elevator on the right leading to the Club.
Access and Hours
In addition to Priority Pass or LoungeClub memberships, anyone can buy a day pass for $50. Current hours are 4 am to 9 pm daily. Technically, the Club limits entry to 3 hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure.
Review
One thing you’ll notice – at 8:30 am on a Tuesday, this lounge was quite deserted. I found empty seats in abundance, with the lounge maybe at 25% of capacity. I’m curious if that’s still the case, though Matthew’s more recent visit suggests it’s still pretty empty.
After passing by the check-in desk, the lounge opens up into a large room with red loungers in the center. A large communal desk with work chairs is to your right overlooking the terminal.
Along the back wall are a few recliner-type chairs. I set up shop in this area.
Just past the recliners is the bar and dining area. I really didn’t need any hair of the dog at 8:30 am, so I didn’t take anything. However, it looked like the bar had a decent selection of wines, beers, and spirits. You can order either at the bar, or via the QR codes at each table. There is some seating around the bar, along with a couple of tables to the side.
On the other side of the bar was the dining area and soft drink station. Much to my surprise, they actually had some hot foot items out at the buffet. Additionally, there were a few breads, cereals, and yogurts. Sadly, the coffee machine sported an out of order sign, one that remained 6 months later when Matthew visited.
In any event, I grabbed a cafe au lait and beignet at Cafe du Monde, so I didn’t take any food or coffee here. However, I’ve summarized the current menu here; you can also find it on the lounge’s website. (There are some serious typos in the food section…)
Breakfast (served until 11 am)
- Scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa
- Hard boiled eggs
- Fresh fruit and fruit bowls
- Fruit & probiotic parfait
- Ham & potato hash
All-day dining (served after 11 am)
- Smoked ham & provolone slider
- Tomato bisque soup
- Chicken & sausage gumbo
- Crawfish étouffée
- Tikka masala chickpea rice bowl
- Avocado hummus
- Crudites and cubed cheeses
- Chocolate brownie
- Bread pudding
For a Lounge Club lounge, this is actually a pretty impressive offering. Not only is the selection a lot better than most Club lounges, but there’s even some local offerings. The Creole menu items come courtesy of celebrity chef John Folse, a native of nearby St. James Parish. I’m unaware of other Club lounges with such a partnership, but they really should do more of these.
Anyway, on the other side of the dining area is another food friendly seating area, replete with a snack tower of sadness.
Lastly, there is a small quiet area with some nap friendly chairs and high-walled cubicles. The cubicles look remarkably similar to the ones at The Club CHS.
I found plugs plentiful throughout the lounge in all seating areas. WiFi in the lounge is fast and fee, but not password protected.
The Club MSY – Final Thoughts
For a small airport lounge, this isn’t bad at all. Frankly, it’s better than The Club at DFW. The food selection in particular is much better than what you get at most clubs, and pretty good even on its own. If you’re early for your flight out of New Orleans, The Club MSY is worth a visit. But please, get your coffee at Cafe du Monde beforehand…
