"New Orleans" was the class designation given to a kitbash model built by modelmaker Ed Miarecki for the Battle of Wolf 359 graveyard scene in the TNG episode "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II". The model was was constructed with parts from two commercial Galaxy-class model kits of differing scales, as well as some custom additions to create the appearance of a ship much smaller than the Galaxy class but of similar design.

The only New Orleans class ship ever seen onscreen was the USS Kyushu (NCC-65491). The only other notable ship of the New Orleans class was the USS Rutledge (NCC-57295), which was commanded by Captain Benjamin Maxwell during the Federation-Cardassian War of the 2350s and upon which Miles O'Brien served as tactical officer early in his career. The Rutledge was never shown onscreen, however.