Southwest is always experimenting with different ways to make things faster and/or easier. We’ve gone over some of them in the past:
- When they experimented with boarding order in 2022
- And then again in 2023
- And don’t forget their psychological mind game experiments!
It looks like Southwest is at it again, but this time the airline is in cahoots with the airport. Or, more likely, it’s the airport itself that reached out and asked Southwest to help them along. Either way, it affects where you can check your bags. And to be honest, it could be a good thing!
New baggage check opportunity
Anyway, the airport in question is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Early last week, the airport announced that, effective Sunday, July 7th, baggage check-in would be available at the economy garage for Southwest Airlines customers.
The service is available from 4 a.m. to noon, and passengers must check their bags at least two hours before their flight.
Starting July 7, 2024, Southwest Airlines Baggage Check-In will be available in the @ParkMSY_Express Economy Garage (900 Airline Drive) from 4 am – 12 pm. To use this service, passengers must check their bags at least 2 hours before their flight.
— New Orleans Airport (@flyneworleans) July 5, 2024
About the economy garage
The economy garage is located at 900 Airline Drive, which is a 15-minute shuttle ride away from the airport (the shuttle is complementary to those parking at the garage). It’s open 24/7 and has 2,438 parking spaces. They also have dedicated parking spaces for electric car charging on the first floor.
Park MSY Express’ Economy Garage offers 6 levels of covered parking at MSY airport, at a cost of $12 per day max (you can also park up to 30 minutes for $4 and $2 for each additional 30 minutes until you hit that max of $12). They have a similar deal with American, Delta, Spirit and United. From MSY’s website:
Park MSY Express Economy Parking Garage offers Check ‘N Fly, complimentary Airline Baggage Check-In through Bags for its guests traveling to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Check your luggage from the comfort of your vehicle before you park, catch the shuttle luggage-free, and skip the airline ticket counter.
- Participating Airlines: American, Delta, Spirit and United
- Hours of Operation: 4 am – 4 pm
- You must arrive at least 90 minutes before the flight.
- For Domestic U.S. flights only. International destinations are not eligible for bag drop service.
- Government-issued ID is required at check-in.
- While the service is complimentary, airline baggage fees that the airline charges still apply.
Here’s what they say about the new Southwest Airlines service:
Starting July 7, 2024, Southwest Airlines Baggage Check-In will be available.
- Hours of Operation: 4 am – 12 pm
- Must arrive at least 2 hours before the flight.
Why this is a good thing
It’s a pain to drag your checked luggage from an off-site economy lot. You have to bring it to the shuttle, load and unload it, and then check in and do a bag drop. That’s a whole lot of lugging.
This way, you can be done with your checked bags even before you get on the shuttle.
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