Using Uber At Orlando Airport: What You Need To Know

Uber is a popular ridesharing app that offers its services in Orlando, Florida. The app provides an alternative to traditional taxi services, allowing users to request rides on-demand at any time of day. Uber is particularly convenient for travellers flying in and out of Orlando International Airport (MCO). The app enables users to schedule rides to and from the airport in advance, making it a stress-free option for those with early departures or late arrivals. While Uber is a useful option for travellers, there have been reports of long wait times for riders and drivers at MCO, particularly during peak travel seasons. Despite this, Uber remains a highly-rated and widely-used service at Orlando International Airport, with the airport implementing various measures to improve the efficiency of ridesharing services.

Uber's Prematch feature at Orlando Airport

Uber is a popular mode of transportation for travellers arriving at or departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Uber's Prematch feature at Orlando Airport is designed to reduce wait times for both riders and drivers. The Prematch feature notifies drivers waiting in the queue for a trip request to start driving towards the airport terminal a few minutes before a pickup request is anticipated. This allows drivers to get closer to the terminal faster and reduces the wait time for riders.

The Prematch feature is part of Uber's commitment to a "zero-wait future", aiming to provide the best possible experience for airport riders, who often face the stress of rushing to catch a flight or navigating an unfamiliar terminal. By enabling drivers to begin moving towards the terminal in advance of a pickup request, Prematch smooths out wait times and improves the efficiency of the matching process.

At Orlando International Airport, Uber drivers can access designated waiting lots, known as Transportation Network Companies (TNC) lots, to enter the ride queue for passenger pick-up. However, drivers have reported long wait times to enter and exit these lots, especially during peak travel periods. To address this issue, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has been working to improve cellular coverage in the waiting lots and has deployed additional Wi-Fi access points to enhance connectivity for rideshare drivers using mobile apps.

Uber's First In, First Out system at Orlando Airport

Uber has implemented a "first in, first out" (FIFO) system at Orlando International Airport (MCO). This system is designed to manage the queue of Uber drivers waiting to pick up passengers at the airport. The FIFO system operates within a designated geofenced area, meaning that drivers must be within this specific area to receive trip requests through the Uber Driver app.

Under the FIFO system, the first Uber driver to enter the designated geofenced area will be the first to receive a trip request. This system aims to provide structure and fairness to the queue of drivers waiting at the airport. By managing the queue, Uber aims to reduce wait times for both drivers and passengers.

The designated geofenced area for the FIFO system is typically located within the airport's Transportation Network Companies (TNC) waiting lots. At MCO Airport, there are two TNC wait lots: the North TNC lot and the South TNC lot. These lots are the only places within Uber's geo-mapping that allows drivers to enter the ride queue to pick up passengers.

To further improve efficiency, Uber has introduced Prematch at Orlando Airport. This feature allows drivers in the queue to accept a Prematch dispatch and start moving towards the airport before a pickup request is received. This reduces the time for riders to wait and enables drivers to get closer to the terminal. However, if a driver receives a Prematch but doesn't receive a request before leaving the terminal, they should return to the waiting area without losing their place in the queue.

Uber riders at MCO Airport can expect to pay a $7 fee per pickup, which is included in the overall trip cost. The total trip cost is influenced by factors such as the type of ride, the length and duration of the trip, tolls, and current demand. Riders can view the estimated price before requesting a ride and see the actual price in real-time within the app.

Uber's $7 fee per pickup from Orlando Airport

Uber is available at Orlando International Airport (MCO) for pickups and drop-offs. However, Uber has announced that airport pickup fees in Orlando will cost riders $7 per ride. This is a 20% increase in passenger pickup fees for transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. The $7 fee makes Orlando International Airport the most expensive airport in the country for rideshare app users.

The $7 fee is not the highest total TNC fee in the country because airports in Florida are not allowed to charge a drop-off fee. The $7 pickup fee helps to offset the costs of handling heavy traffic around the airport, especially along the Terminal A and B curbs. The airport has also increased its traffic enforcement staff to manage the impact of the traffic.

The two airport rideshare wait lots, the North TNC lot and the South TNC, are the only places within Uber's geo-mapping that allows drivers to enter the Uber driver app ride queue to pick up passengers. Uber drivers have complained about long wait times to get into and out of the airport's TNC waiting lots, especially at night when many flights arrive back-to-back.

Uber has a "first vehicle in is the first one out" (FIFO) system at Orlando International Airport. The FIFO system only works within the designated, geofenced area; drivers waiting elsewhere will not receive trip requests through the Uber Driver app. Prematch is also enabled at the airport, allowing drivers in the queue to accept a Prematch dispatch and begin heading toward the airport a few minutes before a pickup request is made.

Uber's 45-60 minute wait time for riders at Orlando Airport

Uber does work at Orlando International Airport (MCO), but during the busiest times of the year, passengers seeking a rideshare pickup often wait longer than usual. Uber drivers have complained about long waits to get into and out of the airport's Transportation Network Companies (TNC) waiting lots, especially at night when many flights arrive back-to-back. The two airport rideshare wait lots, the North TNC lot and the South TNC lot, are the only places within Uber's geo-mapping that allows drivers to enter the Uber driver app ride queue to pick up passengers. This has resulted in dangerous traffic jams, especially in the North lot, and the underuse of the South lot due to poor cell phone reception. Uber has introduced a Prematch feature, which gives drivers in the queue the option to accept a dispatch and head toward the airport before a pickup request is made, allowing them to get closer to the terminal and providing shorter wait times for riders.

Uber riders at Orlando Airport can avoid wait time fees by meeting their driver promptly after their arrival. For UberX, Uber Comfort, and UberXL, riders have two minutes to get to the vehicle, while for Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, Uber Premier, and Uber Premier SUV, they have five minutes. Riders with a disability can request a wait-time fee waiver. With Uber Reserve, the driver will wait up to 45-60 minutes after the rider's flight arrival time, depending on the ride option. For UberX, Uber Comfort, and UberXL, the wait time is 45 minutes, while for Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, Uber Premier, and Uber Premier SUV, it is 60 minutes.

Uber's car seat and pet policies at Orlando Airport

Uber operates at Orlando International Airport (MCO), with a "first vehicle in is the first one out" (FIFO) system in place. This means that drivers within the geofenced area will receive trip requests, while those outside of it will not. Uber's presence at the airport has been a source of convenience for passengers, but it has also faced challenges with long wait times for both riders and drivers.

Car Seat Policy

Uber offers a car seat option for children weighing between 5 and 65 pounds at Orlando Airport. This service, called Uber Car Seat, is available in the Uber app, where riders can select it when choosing their ride. While Uber Car Seat is operational in Orlando, there may be times when it is unavailable, particularly during early morning or late-night hours. In such cases, larger or specialty cars that cost more may have car seats available. It is important to note that parents and caregivers are responsible for ensuring their child meets the eligibility requirements, inspecting the car seat, and properly securing their child.

Pet Policy

At Orlando Airport, Uber allows service animals to accompany passengers with disabilities, and drivers are not permitted to refuse these trips. For other pets, riders are encouraged to select the Uber Pet option in the app. If the Uber Pet option is not chosen, it is up to the driver's discretion to accept the trip.

Frequently asked questions