Lois Larson
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a very busy airport, with fifty million passengers travelling through each year. Sources suggest that passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. Some sources recommend arriving three hours before departure to account for long lines at check-in, getting a boarding pass, going through security, and taking the airport monorail to the gate. However, the airlines themselves will not allow you to check luggage until two hours before the flight, so arriving three hours in advance may be excessive. If you have TSA Pre-Check, you may only need to arrive 90 minutes before your flight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Suggested arrival time before flight | 2 hours |
| Arrival time with TSA Pre-Check | 1 hour |
| Arrival time without checked luggage | 30 minutes-1 hour |
| Arrival time with checked luggage | 1.5-2 hours |
| Arrival time with TSA Pre-Check and checked luggage | 1.5 hours |
| Arrival time with checked luggage and parking | 2.5 hours |
| Arrival time with curbside check-in | 4 hours |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Check-in times for flights departing from Orlando Airport
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a very busy airport, with 50 million passengers travelling through it each year. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority suggests arriving at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure time. This will give you enough time to check in your bags, get your boarding pass, go through security, and take the airport monorail to your gate. However, some sources claim that arriving two hours before your flight is sufficient, especially if you have TSA PreCheck.
TSA PreCheck allows qualifying flyers to get through security in five minutes or less. It costs $78 to apply, and most applications are approved within 3-5 days. If you don't have TSA PreCheck, it's recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before your flight.
You can check in online or via an app starting 24 hours before your flight and up to 45 minutes before your flight for domestic travel, or 60 minutes for international travel. However, you cannot check bags more than four hours before departure.
The MCO app provides estimated security wait times and updates on your flight, as well as information on shopping and dining. The app is free and available for both Android and iPhone users.
It's always a good idea to check directly with your airline for the most up-to-date recommendations.
Airport Security: Unopened Food, What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
TSA Pre-Check and security wait times
For domestic flights, you can check in online or at the airport 45 minutes before departure. For international flights, you must check in at least 60 minutes before departure. However, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport well before the minimum check-in time to account for security wait times and potential delays.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority suggests arriving at Orlando International Airport (MCO) three hours before your scheduled departure time. However, some travellers consider this excessive, recommending that two hours is usually sufficient. Arriving two hours early should give you enough time to check your bags, get your boarding pass, and go through security, especially if you have TSA Pre-Check.
TSA Pre-Check allows expedited screening in a standard lane or access to a dedicated Pre-Check lane, significantly reducing security wait times. With TSA Pre-Check, travellers report arriving at the airport 45 minutes to two hours before their flight, depending on whether they have checked bags. Without Pre-Check, travellers recommend arriving at least 90 minutes to two hours early to account for potentially long security wait times.
Security wait times at Orlando International Airport can vary significantly due to various factors, including the number of security lanes open, staff shortages, technical difficulties, and the volume of passengers. To avoid lengthy security wait times, you can use the Orlando International Airport's free MCO Reserve service, which allows you to book a scheduled time to go through an exclusive security lane. Additionally, the Orlando Airport app provides helpful information, tips, and tricks to streamline your security experience.
Taiwan Visa: Can I Get It at Taoyuan Airport?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Parking availability and considerations
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving over 60 million passengers annually with more than 850 daily flights on 38 airlines. Its proximity to Disney theme parks, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld makes it a major travel hub.
Finding airport parking at Orlando International Airport (MCO) can be stressful. There are several parking options available at and near the airport, with rates varying depending on the proximity to the airport and the security features offered.
On-site parking
On-site parking is available at the airport's terminal garages. The daily rate for terminal parking is $28. This option is convenient for travellers who want to park as close to the terminal as possible.
Off-site parking
There are numerous off-site parking lots near MCO that offer lower rates, starting as low as $5.95 per day. These facilities provide outdoor or indoor covered parking with security monitoring and free shuttle transportation to the airport. Some lots offer additional features such as 24/7 security, surveillance cameras, fenced-in or staffed facilities, and online booking options.
Economy Lot parking
The Economy Lot at MCO offers a cheaper alternative to terminal garage parking, with rates starting at $16 per day. This lot provides free public shuttle services to and from the terminals every 10-20 minutes.
Long-term parking
Long-term parking options are available at off-site locations, where travellers can leave their cars in a secure location and take advantage of free shuttle services to and from the airport.
Booking in advance
It is recommended to book your parking spot in advance, especially during peak travel times. Reserving a spot at one of the trusted parking facilities near MCO can ensure a hassle-free experience and lock in a lower rate. Booking online can offer significant savings of up to 50% compared to drive-up rates.
Bringing Your Dog to Logan Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bag check and luggage drop-off
When it comes to checking in for a flight at Orlando International Airport (MCO), there are a few things to keep in mind regarding bag check and luggage drop-off. Firstly, it's recommended to arrive at the airport two to three hours before your scheduled departure time. This allows ample time for checking in your bags, obtaining your boarding pass, navigating security lines, and reaching your gate, especially considering the airport's high passenger volume of approximately 50 million annually.
While arriving early is advisable, it's important to note that checking luggage too far in advance might not be possible. According to FAA regulations, you cannot check your bags more than four hours before your flight's departure. This restriction is in place to prevent logistical issues and ensure the smooth handling of luggage for all passengers. Therefore, if you plan to arrive at the airport five hours before your flight, you may need to consider alternative options for your luggage during that extra hour.
Orlando International Airport offers various services to assist with luggage storage and management. For instance, they provide a free MCO Reserve service, allowing passengers to book a scheduled time slot to expedite their security process. Additionally, private companies like Bounce offer luggage storage facilities near the airport, charging a flat rate of $4.10 per day, with the option to store bags for a couple of hours or several days. This can be particularly useful if you want to explore the city luggage-free after checking out of your accommodation.
Another option for luggage management is Hold My Luggage, a service that allows you to ship your luggage ahead to your destination worldwide. They also provide a same-day or multiple-bag drop-off service, accommodating large groups of luggage. Additionally, they offer a skycap service, assisting passengers with their luggage at the airport, which can be beneficial for late arrivals or early departures that don't align with standard hotel check-in and check-out times.
To streamline the bag check and luggage drop-off process at Orlando International Airport, passengers can utilize curbside check-in or self-service kiosks. These options are available if you have an electronic ticket that can be scanned from your phone. Online check-in through the airline's website or app is also possible, usually opening 24 hours before departure and closing 45 minutes (or 90 minutes for international flights) prior to the scheduled flight time.
Airport Security and Freestyle Libre: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Boarding times and procedures
When flying from Orlando International Airport (MCO), it is recommended that you arrive at the airport two to three hours before your scheduled departure time. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority suggests two hours, while some travellers advise that three hours is necessary to account for potential delays. This is especially important at MCO, which is a very busy airport with long lines and frequent technical difficulties, mechanical issues, and staffing shortages.
If you are checking bags, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before your flight. Some sources suggest that airlines will not allow you to check luggage until two hours before the flight, so you should keep this in mind when planning your arrival time. If you are not checking bags and/or have TSA PreCheck or Pre, you can arrive closer to two hours before your flight. With PreCheck, travellers report being able to get through security in as little as 10-15 minutes, allowing them to arrive just 45 minutes to one hour before their flight.
However, it is important to note that security wait times at MCO can be unpredictable, ranging from 10 minutes to over an hour. To account for potential delays, you can check security wait times on the Orlando Airport app or Instagram before heading to the airport. Additionally, consider using the free MCO Reserve service, which allows you to book a scheduled time to go through an exclusive security lane.
Once you arrive at the airport, you can use curbside check-in or self-service kiosks to speed up the process. Curbside check-in is available if you have an electronic ticket, which can be scanned from your phone. You can also check in online or via an app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes (or 90 minutes for international flights) before your flight.
After checking in, you will need to go through security and take the airport monorail (People Mover) to your gate. Boarding usually starts 20-30 minutes before departure, so it is recommended that you arrive at the gate with enough time to spare.
Traveling from BWI to Reagan Airport by Metro: Is it Possible?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that passengers arrive at Orlando Airport at least 2 hours before their scheduled flight time. However, some sources suggest 2.5 hours to be safe, especially if you are checking bags.
Security wait times at Orlando Airport vary. Some passengers report getting through security in as little as 10 minutes, while others report wait times of up to 1 hour or more. On average, passengers suggest budgeting 30 minutes to 1 hour for security.
Yes, Orlando Airport offers TSA Pre-Check, which can speed up the security process. With Pre-Check, passengers report arriving at the airport as little as 45 minutes to 1 hour before their flight.
You can check in online or via the Orlando Airport app starting 24 hours before your flight and up to 45 minutes before departure (90 minutes for international flights). Curbside check-in may also be available, depending on the airline.
