The Art Deco Jewel on the Lake
Lakefront Airport is what happens when a dictator with grand ambitions and a Depression-era workforce build an airport. Constructed in the mid-1930s under the direction of Governor Huey Long on a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Pontchartrain, the airport is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the American South — a building so beautiful that it has spent its second life as a movie set as much as an aviation facility.
The terminal building is sculptural and filled with light. Step inside and you're transported to a 1930s vision of the future — terrazzo floors, bas-relief murals depicting the history of flight, soaring ceilings, and the kind of sleek, geometric design that made Art Deco the architectural language of optimism and speed. The WPA artists who decorated the interior were creating something meant to inspire awe, and nearly a century later, it still works.
From Bombs to Blockbusters
Lakefront Airport's history is as dramatic as its architecture. During World War II, the facility was taken over by the military. In the 1960s, during the height of Cold War paranoia, parts of the building were converted into a bomb shelter — a surreal second act for a building designed to celebrate the freedom of flight. The airport continued to serve general aviation throughout, but the terminal slowly fell into disrepair.
Then came the renovation. After an extensive restoration that brought the Art Deco details back to their original glory, Lakefront Airport emerged as one of the most photogenic buildings in New Orleans. Hollywood noticed. The airport has become a scene stealer in numerous movies and television shows, its retro-futuristic interiors providing a backdrop that no set designer could improve upon. When directors need a location that looks like the glamorous past imagined itself, they call Lakefront Airport.
The Airport Today
Lakefront Airport still serves as a working general aviation airport — private planes, charters, and flight schools operate from its runways. But the terminal building has taken on a life beyond aviation. Events, film shoots, and tours bring people through who couldn't tell a Cessna from a Cadillac but who recognize architectural beauty when they see it.
The approach from Lakeshore Drive is worth the trip on its own. The man-made peninsula gives the terminal a dramatic setting, surrounded by water on three sides with views of the lake stretching to the horizon. At sunset, the building's limestone facade catches the last light and glows like something out of a Gatsby daydream — a monument to a time when New Orleans thought big and built accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lakefront Airport
When was Lakefront Airport built?
The airport was constructed in the mid-1930s on a man-made peninsula in Lake Pontchartrain, built under the direction of Governor Huey Long using Depression-era workforce programs.
What style is Lakefront Airport?
The terminal is a premier example of Art Deco architecture, featuring terrazzo floors, bas-relief murals, geometric design elements, and WPA-era artwork depicting the history of aviation.
Is Lakefront Airport still a working airport?
Yes. The airport continues to serve general aviation, including private planes, charter flights, and flight training schools, while also hosting events and film productions.
Can you visit Lakefront Airport?
The terminal building is accessible and worth visiting for its architecture and WPA artwork alone. The airport also hosts occasional public events and is a popular filming location.
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