New Orleans is the kind of city that’s hard to leave. Between the smell of jasmine in the Garden District and the literal siren song of a late-night brass band, the gravity of the 504 is heavy. But let’s be real: eventually, you just need to get out. You need a mountain, a beach that isn't the Gulf, or maybe just a city where the humidity doesn't feel like a warm, wet blanket.
Finding cheap flights from New Orleans to anywhere isn't actually that hard if you stop looking at the "big" carriers first. MSY (Louis Armstrong International) has changed a lot in the last few years. It’s a budget airline playground now. If you're willing to fly on a Tuesday or pack everything into a backpack, you can get out of town for less than the cost of a fancy dinner at Commander’s Palace.
Stop Searching for Specific Cities
The biggest mistake people make is deciding they have to go to New York or they must go to Denver. If you want the absolute cheapest rates, you have to let the universe (and the Spirit Airlines algorithm) decide your fate.
Open up Google Flights. Type in "New Orleans" in the starting box. Leave the destination box completely blank or type "Everywhere."
Suddenly, you’ll see a map of the world with little blue dots and price tags. Honestly, it’s a bit addictive. You might see a $32 flight to Tampa or a $44 ticket to Orlando. Last time I checked, Spirit was running flights to Fort Lauderdale for $25. That’s basically the price of two po-boys and a drink.
Why the "Anywhere" Search Works
- Airlines hate empty seats. They’d rather sell a seat to Cancun for $90 than leave it empty.
- MSY is a hub for "Leisure Routes." Budget carriers like Breeze and Allegiant thrive on New Orleans travelers looking for weekend getaways.
- Competition. When Southwest drops prices to Houston, United usually follows.
The Budget Queens of MSY
If you want to find cheap flights from New Orleans to anywhere, you need to get familiar with the low-cost carriers that live in the new terminal. Each one has its own "turf."
Spirit Airlines is the obvious heavyweight here. They fly almost everywhere from New Orleans. You can regularly find deals to Atlanta, Dallas (DFW), and even San Pedro Sula if you’re feeling international. Just remember: the ticket is cheap, but they will charge you for everything else, including the air you breathe (kinda).
Southwest Airlines is the local favorite because they still let you bring two bags for free. They have a massive presence at MSY. If you’re looking at Nashville, Austin, or Chicago (Midway), Southwest is usually your best bet. Pro tip: Use their "Low Fare Calendar." It shows you the cheapest day to fly for the entire month at a glance.
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Breeze Airways is the new kid on the block, and they are great for those random mid-sized cities. Think Raleigh-Durham, Charleston, or Richmond. They often run "Nice" and "Nicer" promos where you can snag a flight for under $60 if you book a few weeks out.
Timing Your Escape
There’s a lot of old-school advice about booking on a Tuesday at 3:00 AM. Most of that is total nonsense now. Modern airline pricing is controlled by AI that adjusts every second based on demand.
However, flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is still significantly cheaper than flying on a Friday or Sunday. Nobody wants to travel in the middle of the week, so the seats go for pennies.
Seasonality Matters
New Orleans travel is weird. When the rest of the world is expensive (like during Mardi Gras), flights into the city are astronomical, but sometimes you can find decent deals headed out because the planes are coming in full and leaving empty.
Generally, August and September are the cheapest months to fly out of MSY. Why? Because it’s peak hurricane season and 100 degrees outside. Everyone is staying put. If you can stomach the risk of a flight delay due to a thunderstorm, you can find incredible deals to places like Las Vegas or Los Angeles for under $100.
Hidden Gems from MSY
We often forget that we have direct access to international spots without having to layover in Miami or Atlanta.
Cancun (CUN) is a staple. Spirit and United fight over this route constantly. If you see it for under $200 round-trip, jump on it. Honduras is another one. Spirit flies into San Pedro Sula (SAP) directly from New Orleans. It’s a gateway to some of the best diving in the world in the Bay Islands.
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How to Actually Secure the Deal
- Go Incognito. It’s a bit of an urban legend that airlines track your cookies to raise prices, but honestly? Better safe than sorry. Use a private browser window.
- Check the "Extra" Airports. If you’re going to Houston, check both Hobby (HOU) and Intercontinental (IAH). If you’re going to South Florida, check Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and even West Palm Beach.
- The 24-Hour Rule. Federal law allows you to cancel any flight for a full refund within 24 hours of booking (as long as the flight is at least a week away). If you see a "holy crap" price for cheap flights from New Orleans to anywhere, buy it immediately. You can figure out the hotel and time off work tomorrow.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Stop overthinking it. If you want to leave New Orleans for cheap, do this right now:
- Download the Hopper app. Set an alert for "Anywhere" from MSY. It’ll ping you when a price drops to a ridiculous level.
- Sign up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards. Even if you don't fly them often, they send out "Wanna Get Away" sales emails that are actually worth reading.
- Pack a "Personal Item" only bag. To get those $30 Spirit fares, you have to fit everything in a small backpack. Buy a bag that fits the exact dimensions (18x14x8 inches) and skip the $60 carry-on fee.
- Check the Breeze Airways map. They often add "pop-up" routes to places like Fort Myers or Louisville that stay cheap for the first few months.
The deals are there. You just have to be flexible enough to take them. If the flight to Las Vegas is $50 and the flight to New York is $300, guess what? You're a Vegas person this weekend. Safe travels.