Orlando Airport: Size, Scale, And Reach Explored

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the largest airports in the United States. Covering 47 to 53.83 square kilometres, it is the third-largest airport in North America by land area. The airport is located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, Florida, and served over 50 million passengers in 2022, making it the second busiest in the state and the seventh busiest in the country. MCO has three terminals, which can only be accessed via one of the airport's Automatic People Movers, and four runways.

Orlando International Airport is one of the largest airports in the US

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the largest airports in the US. It is the third-largest airport in North America, spanning 53.83 square kilometres (20.8 square miles), which includes four runways and one helipad.

MCO was first opened as McCoy US Air Force Base in 1942 for military operations. It was designated as an international airport for civil use in 1976 and named a large hub airport three years later, having handled five million passengers in 1978. The airport served more than 57 million passengers in 2023, with 405,925 aircraft movements.

MCO is the busiest airport in Florida and the seventh busiest in the US. In 2022, MCO served over 50 million guests, making it the airport's second busiest year ever.

The site features a main landside building with two terminals, A and B. Terminal A leads to Airside 1 and Airside 2, while Terminal B links to Airsides 3 and 4. In 2022, Terminal C opened, adding a further 20 gates.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) oversees Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). GOAA is governed by a seven-member board, including the Mayor of Orlando and the Mayor of Orange County. The airports are managed by a Chief Executive Officer, appointed by the Authority, who leads a team of approximately 800 full-time employees.

It is the busiest airport in Florida

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest airport in Florida, serving more than 57 million passengers annually. It is also one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres (or 18.1 square miles). MCO is ranked as the seventh busiest airport in the US and is among the top 10 busiest airports in the world.

MCO's growth in passenger traffic has been significant, with a 15% increase in 2023 compared to 2022. This growth is attributed to both domestic and international travel, with international passenger traffic showing a strong recovery of nearly 30% growth over the same period. The airport is a major international gateway for Florida, offering over 850 daily flights to 135 destinations worldwide.

MCO's busy status is further emphasised by its role as a hub or operating base for several airlines, including Silver Airways, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier at MCO. Additionally, the airport is a focus city for JetBlue.

To accommodate the high volume of passengers, MCO has three terminals (A, B, and C) and four runways. Terminal C, which opened in 2022, is connected to an Intermodal Terminal Facility offering high-speed passenger rail service, enhancing the customer experience with automated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints.

The airport's convenient location, just 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, along with its efficient operations and connectivity, contribute to its reputation as the busiest airport in Florida.

The airport is 6 miles from Downtown Orlando

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located just 6 miles from Downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 11,605 acres (4,696 ha).

MCO is a bustling airport, serving as a hub for several airlines and offering over 850 daily flights to 135 destinations. Its proximity to downtown Orlando makes it a convenient gateway to the city and the wider Florida region.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to its construction as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility during World War II. It was originally known as Orlando Army Air Field #2 and later renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield. After a brief pause in operations, the airfield resumed service during the Korean War, becoming a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility.

Over the years, MCO has undergone expansions and improvements to accommodate growing passenger traffic. With the addition of Terminal C in 2022, the airport now boasts three terminals and continues to be a significant aviation hub in the region.

MCO's convenient location, just a short distance from downtown Orlando, along with its extensive flight network and historical significance, make it a notable airport in the United States.

It has 3 terminals

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a large airport. In fact, it's one of the biggest airports in the United States, covering 47 square kilometres (or 21 square miles). With so much ground to cover, it's a good thing that the airport has three terminals to help streamline operations and make it easier for travellers to navigate.

The three terminals are split between two buildings, with each terminal being accessible only via one of the airport's Automatic People Movers (APMs). This means that if you board the wrong APM, you'll have to backtrack, which can be time-consuming. It may even mean having to go through security again, so it's important to know your terminal and gate before boarding the APM.

Terminal A is the northern half of the main terminal building, with tramway systems connecting to Airside 1 (Gates 1–29) and Airside 2 (Gates 100–129). Terminal B, on the other hand, is the southern half of the main terminal, with connections to Airside 3 (Gates 30–59) and Airside 4 (Gates 70–99).

The newest addition to the airport is Terminal C, also known as the South Terminal Complex. This terminal is connected to Terminals A and B via a pre-security tramway and an elevated enclosed walkway. Terminal C accommodates international flights by non-US airlines, as well as all JetBlue flights. It also has a shared parking garage with the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal, which provides a connection to the Florida High-Speed Rail Line.

With so many terminals and such a large area to cover, it's no wonder that Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Florida and the United States. In 2021, it was the seventh busiest airport in the US, with 19,618,838 enplanements. And in 2022, the airport served over 50 million passengers, making it the second busiest year in its history.

It has 4 runways

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a large airport, covering 53.83 square kilometres (20.8 square miles) and featuring four runways and one helipad.

The airport's four runways are supported by two buildings, which are split into three terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C. Each terminal can only be accessed via one of the airport's Automatic People Movers (APMs). If a traveller boards the wrong APM, they will have to spend extra time backtracking, and they may even need to go through security again.

The airport's runways were designed with large aircraft in mind. The west-side runways, Runway 18L/36R and Runway 18R/36L, were designed for B-52 Stratofortress bombers. These runways are also an emergency landing site for NASA's space shuttle.

Frequently asked questions