Doughnuts and jazz? This award-winning airport bursts with personality
Check-in
Despite the terminal servicing both international and domestic passengers, it's alarmingly well-organised and calm at the American Airlines' self-check-in area. No one is shouting directions at me, how can this be? Staff are friendly and helpful, and assist us in receiving boarding passes for both our flight to Miami and onward flight to Quito. We each pay for a checked bag at the kiosk, as is, rather nonsensically, how they do things in the US.
Security
It's the trifecta: shoes are off, laptops are out of the bag and so is the camera. Even so, it's very swift and organised, and no TSA staff members are losing their temper, although the woman performing the body scan machine has woken up on the wrong side of the bed. As is commonplace at airports in the US, staff check your passport and boarding pass before you reach the scanners.
Food + drink
This is where the airport shines. Café du Monde starts serving up its world-famous beignets from its small takeaway airport outpost at 4am on the dot (the icing sugar evidence is soon all over my pants), while Starbucks was serving coffee from 3.55am when I visited. If you're flying a little later or feeling festive so early in the morning, you can sink back a cocktail or two at Bar Sazerac or tuck into Vietnamese eats at Mopho. Most of the bars and restaurants are operating by 5am.
Retail therapy
Some quality souvenirs here, most of them edible. New Orleans Marketplace sells 'The Big Easy' T-shirts, Mardi Gras memorabilia, cute coasters and hoodies, pecan pralines and Café du Monde's famous beignet mix. It's worth perusing the CNBC store to pick-up some quirky local buys such as Creole praline.
Passing time
Whether it's eating, drinking or shopping, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained here. If you simply feel like sitting, the gate chairs are conveniently equipped with both cup holders and power points to charge your phone.
The verdict
You had me at beignet. This airport is efficient, and as quirky as its world-famous city. Spending time here is done so without even an inkling of resentment, even if it is 4am.
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Doughnuts and jazz? This award-winning airport bursts with personality
Check-in Despite the terminal servicing both international and domestic passengers, it's alarmingly well-organised and calm at the American Airlines' self-check-in area. No one is shouting directions at me, how can this be? Staff are friendly and helpful, and assist us in receiving boarding passes for both our flight to Miami and onward flight to Quito. We each pay for a checked bag at the kiosk, as is, rather nonsensically, how they do things in the US. Security It's the trifecta: shoes are off, laptops are out of the bag and so is the camera. Even so, it's very swift and organised, and no TSA staff members are losing their temper, although the woman performing the body scan machine has woken up on the wrong side of the bed. As is commonplace at airports in the US, staff check your passport and boarding pass before you reach the scanners. Food + drink This is where the airport shines. Café du Monde starts serving up its world-famous beignets from its small takeaway airport outpost at 4am on the dot (the icing sugar evidence is soon all over my pants), while Starbucks was serving coffee from 3.55am when I visited. If you're flying a little later or feeling festive so early in the morning, you can sink back a cocktail or two at Bar Sazerac or tuck into Vietnamese eats at Mopho. Most of the bars and restaurants are operating by 5am. Retail therapy Some quality souvenirs here, most of them edible. New Orleans Marketplace sells 'The Big Easy' T-shirts, Mardi Gras memorabilia, cute coasters and hoodies, pecan pralines and Café du Monde's famous beignet mix. It's worth perusing the CNBC store to pick-up some quirky local buys such as Creole praline. Passing time Whether it's eating, drinking or shopping, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained here. If you simply feel like sitting, the gate chairs are conveniently equipped with both cup holders and power points to charge your phone. The verdict You had me at beignet. This airport is efficient, and as quirky as its world-famous city. Spending time here is done so without even an inkling of resentment, even if it is 4am.
Sydney Morning Herald
19 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Doughnuts and jazz? This award-winning airport bursts with personality
Check-in Despite the terminal servicing both international and domestic passengers, it's alarmingly well-organised and calm at the American Airlines' self-check-in area. No one is shouting directions at me, how can this be? Staff are friendly and helpful, and assist us in receiving boarding passes for both our flight to Miami and onward flight to Quito. We each pay for a checked bag at the kiosk, as is, rather nonsensically, how they do things in the US. Security It's the trifecta: shoes are off, laptops are out of the bag and so is the camera. Even so, it's very swift and organised, and no TSA staff members are losing their temper, although the woman performing the body scan machine has woken up on the wrong side of the bed. As is commonplace at airports in the US, staff check your passport and boarding pass before you reach the scanners. Food + drink This is where the airport shines. Café du Monde starts serving up its world-famous beignets from its small takeaway airport outpost at 4am on the dot (the icing sugar evidence is soon all over my pants), while Starbucks was serving coffee from 3.55am when I visited. If you're flying a little later or feeling festive so early in the morning, you can sink back a cocktail or two at Bar Sazerac or tuck into Vietnamese eats at Mopho. Most of the bars and restaurants are operating by 5am. Retail therapy Some quality souvenirs here, most of them edible. New Orleans Marketplace sells 'The Big Easy' T-shirts, Mardi Gras memorabilia, cute coasters and hoodies, pecan pralines and Café du Monde's famous beignet mix. It's worth perusing the CNBC store to pick-up some quirky local buys such as Creole praline. Passing time Whether it's eating, drinking or shopping, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained here. If you simply feel like sitting, the gate chairs are conveniently equipped with both cup holders and power points to charge your phone. The verdict You had me at beignet. This airport is efficient, and as quirky as its world-famous city. Spending time here is done so without even an inkling of resentment, even if it is 4am.
