Melbourne, Florida: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Melbourne, Florida, is home to the Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), a public airport located 1.5 miles northwest of downtown Melbourne. The airport offers several direct domestic flights to destinations such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Minneapolis, with a few international flights requiring a stopover. With a recent $72 million renovation, the airport boasts improved facilities and amenities, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Melbourne Orlando International Airport's location and transport links

Melbourne, Florida, is served by the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, which is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of downtown Melbourne, in Brevard County. The airport is 70 miles (113 km) southeast of Orlando, on central Florida's Space Coast. It is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Melbourne City Council and the private sector.

The airport is easily accessible by road, with NASA Boulevard (State Road 508) providing a direct link. It is also well-connected to other major airports in the region, including Orlando International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport, which are both located approximately 70 miles (113 km) northwest of the Melbourne Orlando International Airport.

Melbourne Orlando International Airport offers a range of transportation options for passengers, including convenient on-site rental car services from major companies. The rental car area is located just off the baggage claim, providing a seamless transition from plane to vehicle. Additionally, the airport's parking facilities are conveniently located just steps away from ticketing and the security checkpoint.

For those seeking alternative transportation options, the Melbourne Shuttle & Taxi Service provides private, non-shared transfers to and from the airport. They cater to travellers within Brevard County and Indian River County, as well as those travelling to and from popular destinations such as Port Canaveral, Disney/Lake Buena Vista, International Drive, and Universal Studios.

The airport has undergone significant upgrades and renovations over the years, including a $72 million expansion project in 2023 that added 86,000 square feet of new and improved facilities and amenities. This project included the addition of a welcome centre and new passenger boarding bridges.

Airlines and flight routes from Melbourne, Florida

Melbourne, Florida, is served by the Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of downtown Melbourne. The airport is home to several airlines offering direct and connecting flights to destinations across the United States and beyond.

Airlines serving Melbourne, Florida:

• Allegiant
• Sun Country Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• American Airlines
• Spirit Airlines

Flight routes from Melbourne, Florida:

Non-stop flights are available to several destinations within the United States, including:

• Atlanta (ATL) - served by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines
• Charlotte (CLT) - served by American Airlines
• Minneapolis (MSP) - served by Sun Country Airlines
• Allentown - served by Allegiant
• Cincinnati - served by Allegiant
• Pittsburgh - served by Allegiant (seasonal route)

Additionally, there are seasonal non-stop flights to Minneapolis offered by Sun Country Airlines and connecting flights to various other destinations.

The airport also has a history of serving international flights, with previous routes to Atlanta, New York, and Baltimore/Washington.

The history of Melbourne Airport

Melbourne, Florida, is served by the Melbourne Orlando International Airport (IATA: MLB, ICAO: KMLB, FAA LID: MLB). The airport is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of downtown Melbourne, in Brevard County, Florida, and is 70 miles (113 km) southeast of Orlando. The airport is reached by NASA Boulevard (State Road 508).

The airport was a municipal airport until 1967 when the city created the Melbourne Airport Authority to plan, operate, maintain, and develop the airport, then called Melbourne Municipal Airport. The name was changed to Cape Kennedy Regional Airport, and in 1973, city officials changed the name to Melbourne Regional Airport to better reflect its role. In 2015, the airport was renamed from Melbourne International Airport to Orlando Melbourne International Airport. However, due to a lawsuit claiming the name was misleading to passengers, the airport became the Melbourne Orlando International Airport in May 2021.

Scheduled airline flights at the airport began in 1953. The April 1957 Official Airline Guide listed four Eastern Airlines departures, Martin 4-0-4s to Vero Beach, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville. In 1959, National Airlines arrived with Douglas DC-6Bs, and in 1963, they scheduled the first jet airliner flights: Douglas DC-8s serving the Miami-Houston-Los Angeles route with a stop in Melbourne. In 1967, Eastern Airlines announced "The Space Corridor" from Melbourne to three centres in the space program: Huntsville, Alabama, St. Louis, and Seattle. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Eastern Airlines Boeing 727s, Douglas DC-9s, and Lockheed Electras flew out of the airport.

In the 1980s, some scenes for the film 'Stranger Than Paradise' were shot at the airport. In 2010, the airport offered nonstop flights to Atlanta on Delta Air Lines and nonstops to Charlotte Douglas International Airport on US Airways' regional subsidiary. In 2023, the airport reported near-record passenger activity, serving 747,691 total passengers. The airport also recently completed a $72 million renovation and expansion project, adding new facilities and amenities, including a welcome centre and new passenger boarding bridges.

Amenities and facilities at the airport

Melbourne, Florida, is served by the Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB). This airport is located about 1.5 miles northwest of downtown Melbourne, in Brevard County, and is about 70 miles southeast of Orlando. It is considered a smaller, regional airport compared to major hubs like Orlando International Airport (MCO). However, it has been experiencing growth in both passenger traffic and airline services.

Melbourne Orlando International Airport has recently undergone a $72 million renovation and expansion project, adding over 86,000 square feet of new and improved facilities and amenities. These include a welcome centre, new service gates, an expanded international baggage claim area, and four new sets of bathrooms. The airport also offers convenient on-site rental car options from major companies, with a rental car area easily accessible from the baggage claim area.

For dining, MLB offers a range of options, from quick-service bites and snacks to a full bar and a restaurant featuring local brews. The Tap Room, located between Gate 7 and Gate 8, offers local brews, delicious bites, and a convenient to-go window. There are also grab-and-go options across from Gate 7 and Gate 1. The Premium Lounge offers a space to unwind and relax before your flight.

In addition to the amenities within the airport, there are several attractions and points of interest nearby. Downtown Melbourne offers a vibrant area with shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment options. The beautiful beaches of Indialantic, Melbourne, and Satellite Beach are also a short drive away. The Florida Institute of Technology, with its renowned research programmes, is conveniently located near the airport. For those interested in performing arts, the King Center on the Eastern Florida State College Melbourne Campus hosts a variety of performances. Families can enjoy go-karting, mini-golf, and other activities at Andretti Thrill Park, or explore the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum, dedicated to American history.

Hotels near Melbourne Airport

Melbourne, Florida, is indeed home to an international airport. Known as the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, it is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of downtown Melbourne, in Brevard County, Florida. The airport is a mere 1.7 miles (2.7 km) from the Melbourne city centre, making it easily accessible for travellers.

Residence Inn by Marriott Melbourne

This modern and pet-friendly hotel is conveniently located near Interstate 95 and the airport, providing easy access to attractions like the Florida Institute of Technology and Kennedy Space Center. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor pool, and social events.

Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront

Located less than seven miles from the airport, Radisson offers the convenience of urban proximity with the relaxation of a coastal retreat. The white sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean are just outside, and the hotel provides beach gear like kayaks and surfboards for an active stay.

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne West

Situated 8.2 miles from the Brevard Museum of Art and Science, this Holiday Inn Express offers comfortable rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and easy check-in and check-out.

Suburban Studios Melbourne Airport

This hotel is located less than a mile from the airport, offering clean and quiet accommodations with easy access to nearby activities and restaurants.

Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place

The award-winning Hilton hotel is located just a mile from the airport and minutes from the pristine white sands of Florida's Space Coast. Guests can enjoy well-appointed rooms, free Wi-Fi, a heated outdoor pool, a 24/7 Fitness Centre, and beach access.

With a range of options available, travellers can choose the hotel that best suits their needs, ensuring a comfortable stay near the Melbourne Orlando International Airport.

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