Flights to Mardi Gras 2026
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is one of America's biggest annual festivals. It's a Christian celebration commemorating the start of Lent. It's a time to eat good food, dress up and dance through the streets before 40 days of fasting and abstinence.
Mardi Gras has been celebrated since the 17th century, and each year, it attracts a large number of attendees who want to enjoy the festive atmosphere and honour their religion. The celebration routinely has more than 1 million yearly attendees.
The official colours of Mardi Gras are gold, purple and green, and many try to incorporate these colours into their masks, outfits and makeup.
When is Mardi Gras?
Just like the dates of Easter change annually, so does Mardi Gras. Depending on when Easter falls, Mardi Gras can be any time between the 3rd of February and the 9th of March. The next Mardi Gras will be on Tuesday, the 17th of February, 2026.
Future Mardi Gras dates:
- The 9th of February 2027
- The 29th of February 2028
- The 13th of February 2029
- The 5th of March 2030
Where is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras occurs yearly in New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival spans throughout the city. Some areas you won't want to miss include Bourbon Street, Uptown and the Mid-City districts. Here, the crowds will be at their liveliest, and the party in full swing with live music and marching parades.
New Orleans is one of America's most-visited cities, attracting flocks of tourists not just because of Mardi Gras but thanks to its unique atmosphere. Its vibrant streets, coiled balconies, and above-ground tombs make it stand out amongst other locations in America. New Orleans's Jazz and religious influences give it a rich history that can be witnessed through how it buzzes with life today.
How to get to Mardi Gras?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the closest major airport to where Mardi Gras takes place.
Most people visiting New Orleans will arrive at MSY thanks to its frequent daily flights and good location. The Airport Express Bus can easily cover the 11-mile distance between the airport and downtown New Orleans. The bus costs just $1.50 and takes only 30 to 40 minutes.
If you'd rather skip public transport, you can also Uber, get a taxi, or rent a car. The drive from MSY to New Orleans takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
What to expect at the airport during Mardi Gras?
Longer queues 🌎
Mardi Gras is when New Orleans is at its busiest. In 2025, more than 1 million celebrated the festival. Many of these people will have come from other states and countries, meaning the airport gets pretty packed. This will lead to bigger crowds, increased wait times and longer queues.
A festive atmosphere 🥳
It's not just the streets of New Orleans that get festive during Mardi Gras; MSY airport does, too! In the run-up to Mardi Gras, you can expect fun decorations like giant masks, colourful bunting and more as well as live music to keep you entertained while you queue.
Popular airlines that can get you to Mardi Gras
American Airlines
As the world's most popular airline in terms of passengers served, American Airlines can get you to nearly any destination you want, including New Orleans, ready for Mardi Gras.
American Airlines flies within the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Its most common routes to New Orleans include flying from London, Atlanta and Chicago.
Spirit Airlines
If you want a more budget-friendly way of getting to Mardi Gras, then Spirit Airlines has got you covered. Spirit is an ultra-low-cost carrier that frequently flies to New Orleans, both through domestic and international travel.
Spirit Airlines primarily flies within North America. Its most common routes to New Orleans include flying from Atlanta, Houston and San Pedro Sula.
British Airways
Going to Mardi Gras but not from America? Then British Airways is the perfect airline for you! It offers nonstop flights from the UK to New Orleans, reducing wait times to your destination.
British Airways flies to countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Most of its flights to New Orleans come from London Heathrow, where you can get a direct flight.
Even more airlines that can get you to Mardi Gras
Here are some more airlines that fly directly to New Orleans. Click on each name for a more in-depth description of what the airlines offer and where they fly from.
Domestic Airlines:
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Alaska Airlines
- JetBlue
- Allegiant Air
- Sun Country Airlines
- Breeze Airways
- Avelo Airlines
International Airlines:
Popular routes to New Orleans
Most popular domestic routes:
- Atlanta > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit and Delta: 1 hour and 30 minute flight time.
- Houston > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit, Southwest and United: 1 hour and 10 minute flight time.
- Dallas > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit, Southwest and American: 1 hour and 30 minute flight time.
- Orlando > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit, Breeze and Southwest: 1 hour and 55 minute flight time.
- Charlotte > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit and American: 2 hour flight time.
Most popular international routes:
- San Pedro Sula > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit: 2 hour and 25 minute flight time.
- Cancún > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit: 1 hour and 55 minute flight time.
- London > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by British Airways and American: 9 hour and 50 minute flight time.
- Toronto > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Air Canada: 3 hour flight time.
- Comayagua > New Orleans — Direct flights are operated by Spirit: 2 hour and 45 minute flight time.
How to find cheap flights to Mardi Gras
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Buy your flights to Mardi Gras and pay later
Want to make your Mardi Gras flights more affordable? Then you're at the perfect place!
At Alternative Airlines, you can make financing your flights even easier by selecting a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) at checkout. BNPLs let you split the cost of your flights into smaller, more manageable instalments made over several weeks, months or even more than a year!
Celebrate Mardi Gras to the fullest without worrying about the cost of your tickets. Pay for your flights in small instalments that won't dent your bank account!
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Put a deposit on your flights to Mardi Gras
One of Alternative Airlines' partners is Slice Pay, a handy layaway that makes financing your flights easy.
Slice Pay lets you put a deposit on your flights, which totals 5% of the ticket total (10% US customers). This way, you can secure your Mardi Gras flight months in advance. Once you've put your deposit down, you'll pay for the rest of your tickets in up to 26 weekly instalments.
Slice Pay is not a Buy Now, Pay Later. One way of looking at it is that Buy Now Pay Later lenders help you pay back your flights, while Slice Pay lets you pay for them. With Slice Pay, you'll have paid for your flights in full before departure, meaning no lingering costs during your vacation!
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Flights to Mardi Gras frequently asked questions
When is the best time to fly for Mardi Gras?
If you're going to be staying in a hotel or renting temporary accommodation in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, then it's best to arrive at least a day before.
This ensures that you're not rushing on the day. The last thing you want is to miss a chunk of the event due to flight delays.
It's also worth noting that some roads will close for Mardi Gras, making transportation from the airport more challenging. By arriving at least a day in advance, you can sail through the city without encountering road closures.
We recommend arriving a few days before Mardi Gras so that you can explore some of New Orleans before the festival!
When is the best time to buy flights for Mardi Gras?
As Mardi Gras is a major US festival and the busiest time in New Orleans, booking flights as early as possible is in your best interest.
Holiday seasons and big events are when flight prices are at their most expensive due to increased passenger demand. The more tickets bought, the more airlines can raise their prices.
Avoid costly fees by booking well in advance.
Why should I book my Mardi Gras flights with Alternative Airlines?
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