New Orleans Guide
Black car service in New Orleans: what to expect
What a black car includes, how it differs from a limo or an app ride, which vehicle fits your trip, and what it costs.
You land at MSY at 9:40 p.m. Your client dinner in the French Quarter starts at 10:30. The last thing you want is to stand on a curb refreshing an app.
That is the problem black car service solves. A black car is a reserved, professionally chauffeured vehicle, booked in advance, at a price you see before you travel. Lagniappe Chauffeured Services has provided black car service in New Orleans since 2011 for executives, VIP travelers and anyone who needs the ride to go right the first time.
01 What black car service is
Black car service is pre-arranged private transportation in a late-model luxury sedan or SUV, driven by a professional chauffeur. The name comes from the traditional black executive car, but what defines it is the service standard:
- Reserved in advance. The vehicle and chauffeur are assigned to you, not dispatched from whoever is nearby.
- A price you see first. The total is shown when you book and doesn't change with demand.
- A professional chauffeur. Background-checked, briefed on your trip, and focused on punctuality and discretion.
- Private. The vehicle carries only your party.
02 Why book one in New Orleans
Certainty on a schedule Traffic changes fast during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Sugar Bowl week and big Convention Center events. A reserved chauffeur plans the route before you get in.
Discretion Executives take calls and read documents in the back seat. Chauffeurs keep conversation professional and your itinerary private.
One point of contact When plans change, you call a dispatcher who already knows your reservation, instead of starting over with a new driver.
Local knowledge French Quarter loading zones, Convention Center drop-offs and cruise terminal traffic are learned by repetition, and that saves minutes when minutes matter.
03 Black car vs limo vs app
All three get you from one place to another. They differ in how they're booked, what arrives, and who's driving.
| Black car | Stretch limo | App-based ride | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking | Reserved ahead, total shown before you pay | Reserved, usually with an hourly minimum | On demand, minutes ahead |
| Vehicle | Luxury sedan, SUV or executive Sprinter | Stretch body built for parties | Varies by driver |
| Driver | Named chauffeur, assigned in advance | Chauffeur | Whoever accepts the request |
| Price | Set when you book | Set when you book | Changes with demand |
| Best for | Airports, business, VIPs, dinners | Celebrations | Short, flexible hops |
Lagniappe doesn't operate stretch limousines or party buses. The fleet is built for executive and VIP travel. If you're weighing an app ride, see chauffeur vs Uber or Lyft in New Orleans.
04 Which vehicle fits your trip
Count bags as carefully as people. Seats and luggage space aren't the same thing.
The fleet · guests · bags
Executive sedan
Mercedes-Maybach or BMW 760i
2 guests 2 bags
A solo executive or a couple going to dinner.
Escalade IQ
All-electric Cadillac SUV
3 guests 3 bags
A quiet, modern ride for a small party.
Cadillac Escalade
Full-size luxury SUV
6 guests 4 bags
Airport runs with luggage and small teams.
Jet Sprinter
Mercedes-Benz, executive interior
10 guests 10 bags
Leadership teams and roadshows.
Sprinter van
Mercedes-Benz, 14-passenger
14 guests 14 bags
Groups, wedding parties and event shuttles.
Golf bags, cruise luggage or equipment cases? Say so when you book and we'll assign a vehicle with room for them. See the full fleet.
05 Pickups at MSY
Airport transfers are the most common black car trip in New Orleans. Here's how one goes:
- When you book Add your flight number. Your flight is tracked, so a delay moves the pickup at no charge.
- Before you land Your chauffeur's name and vehicle are sent to you, so you know exactly who is coming.
- After landing MSY has one terminal; arrivals and baggage claim are on Level 1. You have 30 minutes of free wait from landing to collect your bags.
- Meeting your chauffeur Once you have your bags, your chauffeur picks you up at the arrivals curb outside baggage claim.
- Ignore curbside offers The airport warns that soliciting rides at MSY is illegal. Get in only with your confirmed chauffeur.
For routes and booking, see MSY airport transportation.
The ride should be the one part of the trip you don't have to think about.
06 What it costs
An MSY airport transfer to or from anywhere within 25 miles of downtown is one flat rate. When the car stays with you for dinners, meetings or events, it's booked by the hour.
Chauffeured rates · MSY transfer · hourly
Executive sedan
Mercedes-Maybach or BMW 760i · up to 2
$145 MSY transfer $125 per hour
3-hour minimum for hourly
Luxury SUV
Cadillac Escalade · up to 6
$185 MSY transfer $169 per hour
Escalade IQ: $185 MSY, $175 per hour
Sprinter van
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter · up to 14
$295 MSY transfer $195 per hour
4-hour minimum; Jet Sprinter $220 per hour
Fuel and tolls are included, and rates don't change with demand, even during festivals or big games. Trips farther out, such as the Northshore or Baton Rouge, are billed at the vehicle's hourly rate. Child seats ($25 each) are added when you book, and gratuity isn't included. The booking page shows the exact total before you pay; see all rates.
07 Questions people ask
How far in advance should I book black car service in New Orleans?
We ask for at least 24 hours for standard bookings, and earlier for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Sugar Bowl week and big conventions. For a same-day request, call (877) 527-2888 and we'll tell you straight away whether it can be done.
Is black car service the same as a limo?
No. Black car service uses luxury sedans and SUVs for airport transfers and hourly travel. A stretch limousine is a party vehicle. Lagniappe operates sedans, Escalades and Sprinters, not stretch limousines.
Can I book a black car for someone else?
Yes. Assistants and travel managers often book for the traveler. Give us the passenger's name, mobile number and flight details, and tell us whether updates should go to you, the passenger, or both.
Can I cancel a booking?
Yes. Cancellations more than 24 hours before pickup are free. See our terms for the full policy.
Do you serve areas outside New Orleans?
Yes. The flat airport rate covers anywhere within 25 miles of downtown, including the French Quarter, CBD, Uptown, the Garden District, Metairie, Kenner and the cruise terminals. Trips farther out, such as Slidell, the Northshore or Baton Rouge, are billed at the vehicle's hourly rate.
Lagniappe Chauffeured Services
Reserve your New Orleans black car
Choose the vehicle, add your flight number and see the total before you pay, or request a reservation for groups and custom itineraries.
(877) 527-2888 · reservations@lcsdriven.com · Available 24 hours a day
PRE-ARRANGED. PROFESSIONAL. RELIABLE.
