Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Flights from Houston to New Orleans

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Houston to New Orleans

Compare partner fares from Houston Bush Intercontinental to New Orleans, plus IAH check-in changes and how to get downtown from MSY.

IAH to MSY · 304 mi · 1h 18m est.

IAH to MSY
304 miles
1h 18m nonstop (estimated)
5 airlines in our fare results

Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Houston to New Orleans flight insights

Average flight time

~1h 18m (estimated)

IAH → MSY

Cheapest cached price

$123

Checking live fares…

Last checked Oct 26, 2026

Planning a trip from Houston to New Orleans? The average flight time on this route is ~1h 18m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $123 (last checked Oct 26, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Houston to New Orleans covers a straight-line distance of about 304 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~1h 18m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

Houston to New Orleans at a glance

IAH to MSY is about 304 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from Houston to New Orleans on Eazair
Origin	Houston (IAH)
Destination	New Orleans (MSY)
Average Flight Time	~1h 18m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$123
Fares Last Checked	Oct 26, 2026
Distance	304 miles (IAH to MSY)
Time in New Orleans	Same time as Houston
Airlines in our fare results	5

Local time in New Orleans is the same as in Houston. Houston is on Central Time, New Orleans on Central Time.

Flight deals from Houston to New Orleans

This page searches Houston's George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY). Houston Hobby (HOU), about 11 miles southeast of downtown, is a separate airport and is not searched here. MSY's undated nonstop list shows Houston Intercontinental served by United; schedules change, so check the stops on each result. United, American and Delta have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. This page has no terminal list by airline for either airport, so confirm yours on your boarding pass.

If your gate is in Terminal B, the airport's alerts page says the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed until late 2026, while Gates B3 to B31 stay open. Check in, drop bags and clear security at Terminal C, then take the Skyway, which runs inside security every 2 minutes. Before security, the free Subway train runs every 3 minutes from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., which helps if you are dropped at the wrong terminal.

Everything for leaving MSY starts on Level 1 Baggage Claim. Outside Door 2, both RTA's 202 Airport Express and Jefferson Transit's Veterans-Airport (E1) bus board, the 202 heading downtown and the E1 to City Park Avenue. MSY says taxis must accept cards, and groups of three or more pay a per-person rate to the CBD and French Quarter. Ride apps use the middle curb outside Doors 7 to 11.

EazAir has only 2 fare checks for IAH to MSY so far, run from 18 Sep to 17 Oct 2026, each for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days later. The highest result was less than one and a half times the lowest, but two checks cannot show a pattern. United Basic Economy includes a personal item only on domestic flights, while American and Delta include a carry-on. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for Houston to New Orleans flights

Departure · Houston

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

Central Time

Other airports near Houston: William P. Hobby (HOU)

Arrival · New Orleans

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)

Central Time

About New Orleans

Areas to know in New Orleans

French Quarter
Garden District
Marigny

Weather in New Orleans

A humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and a hurricane season from June through November; winters are mild.

Houston to New Orleans: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International's nonstop list (no date shown) shows Houston (IAH) served by United. Schedules change, so check the stops shown with each result.

EazAir searches Houston with the IAH code, and Houston has more than one airport, so check the airport code on every result.

Houston Hobby (HOU) is a separate airport about 11 miles southeast of downtown.

Leaving from Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

METRO Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct links downtown Houston, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, with IAH, stopping at Terminal E, Level 2, outside Door E201.
IAH lists drop-off on Departures Level 2 at Terminals A, C and E, and on Level 1 at Terminal D.
Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear security at Terminal C while the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed, according to the airport's alerts page.
IAH lists TSA PreCheck at Terminal A North from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Terminal C North from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Terminal E from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., with CLEAR at Terminal A North and Terminal C.
The Terminal D checkpoint has modified hours that vary by day, so check IAH's security page, which also shows checkpoint wait times.

Arriving at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)

MSY's airlines page does not say which concourse each airline uses, so check your boarding pass.

MSY's consolidated security checkpoint is on Level 2.
Baggage Claim is on Level 1. Buses leave from outside Door 2, and ride apps pick up on the middle curb outside Doors 7 to 11.

Getting from MSY	Where to board	Where it goes
RTA 202 Airport Express	Level 1 Baggage Claim, outside Door 2, Zones B4 and B5. Schedule effective 20 Sep 2026, daily.	Downtown New Orleans, with stops including Poydras Street, the Ferry Terminal, the Main Library and Union Passenger Terminal.
Jefferson Transit Veterans-Airport (E1)	Same Level 1 stop as the 202, outside Door 2.	City Park Avenue in New Orleans.
Taxis	Arrivals curb outside Baggage Claim Door 7. An official flat rate applies to the CBD and French Quarter, with a per-person rate for groups of three or more. Taxis must accept cards.	The CBD, the French Quarter and beyond.
Rideshare	Level 1 middle curb: Lyft at Doors 7 to 9, Uber at Doors 9 to 11.	Wherever you booked.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first 2 fare checks from Houston to New Orleans ran from 18 Sep to 17 Oct 2026. For the return direction, New Orleans to Houston, EazAir's first 3 checks ran from 11 Oct to 14 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. The highest result was less than one and a half times the lowest. With only 2 checks, this cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

Houston Airports: IAH alerts (Terminal B lobby) (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: METRO Downtown Direct (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: IAH security (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: IAH pick up and drop off (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
METRO: Airport bus nonstop (Route 500) (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
MSY: Public transportation (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
MSY: Ride apps (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
MSY: Taxis (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
MSY: Security checkpoint (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
RTA: Route 202 Airport Express schedule (effective 20 Sep 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
MSY: Nonstop flights (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for IAH to MSY, 18 Sep 2026 to 17 Oct 2026; MSY to IAH, 11 Oct 2026 to 14 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is Terminal B open at IAH?

The airport's alerts page says the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed until late 2026, but Gates B3 to B31 stay open. Terminal B passengers check in and clear security at Terminal C.

Does this page search Houston Hobby?

No. It searches Bush Intercontinental (IAH). Houston Hobby (HOU) is a separate airport about 11 miles southeast of downtown, so check the airport code on every result.

How do I get from MSY to downtown New Orleans?

Take RTA's 202 Airport Express from Level 1 Baggage Claim, outside Door 2, Zones B4 and B5. It runs daily, with stops including Poydras Street, the Ferry Terminal, the Main Library and Union Passenger Terminal.

Do New Orleans airport taxis take cards?

Yes. MSY says taxis must accept cards. They wait outside Baggage Claim Door 7, and an official flat rate applies to the CBD and French Quarter.

Do the lowest Houston to New Orleans fares include a carry-on?

American and Delta include a carry-on and a personal item. United Basic Economy allows one personal item only on domestic flights, unless you have MileagePlus Premier status, travel with a member, or hold a qualifying card.

How far is Houston from New Orleans?

IAH and MSY are about 304 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Ease jet lag on longer routes

On longer cross-country flights, adjusting your sleep schedule a day or two before departure and staying hydrated in flight can reduce jet lag on arrival.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.