Orlando Airport: Navigating Its Many Gates

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a bustling hub of activity, serving over 50 million passengers annually and ranking as the busiest airport in Florida and the 10th busiest in the U.S. This vast airport features an intricate design, with one main terminal and four satellite terminals, connected by Automated People Movers (APM). Within the main terminal lie two sides or terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, each offering distinct services and housing different airlines' check-in counters. Terminal A caters to international flights, while Terminal B accommodates both domestic and international travellers. Beyond the main terminal, the airport boasts an impressive array of amenities, ensuring comfort and convenience for all passengers.

Orlando International Airport's terminal layout

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has three terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C. Terminals A and B are part of the North Terminal Complex, while Terminal C is the South Terminal Complex.

Terminal A

The northern half of the main terminal, Terminal A, has tramway systems connecting to Airside 1 (Gates 1–29) and Airside 2 (Gates 100–129). Airside 1 serves international flights, while Airside 2 serves domestic flights. Terminal A is divided into three levels:

• Ground transportation, including buses and car rentals, lounge, lost and found, baggage claim, and packing (8A)
• Baggage carousels (1-16), transportation app pickup (Uber, Lyft, Wingz), and a relieving area for service animals
• Currency exchange, information desk, restrooms, bars, and airport hotels

Terminal B

Terminal B, the southern half of the North Terminal Complex, has tramway systems connecting to Airside 3 (Gates 30–59), Airside 4 (Gates 70–99), and Terminal C. Airside 3 serves domestic flights, while Airside 4 serves international flights. Terminal B also has three levels:

• Ground transportation, car rentals, baggage storage, and baggage claim (28B)
• Baggage carousels (20-32), transportation app pickup (Uber, Lyft, Wingz), relieving area for service animals, and nursing home
• Currency exchange, information desk, VIP lounges, and separate checkpoints for the two boarding gates

Terminal C

Terminal C, also known as the South Terminal Complex, is for international flights by non-US airlines and all JetBlue flights. It has four levels:

• Ground transportation, shuttles, lost and found office, and nursing rooms
• Check-in counters for various airlines, including Emirates, and boarding gates
• Bridges leading to garage C, ground transportation, car rental companies, and the nursing room
• Baggage claims, cafeteria, customs, and immigration

Transport to and from the airport

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a large airport with 93 gates across its three terminals. Terminal C, also known as the South Terminal Complex, contains 20 of these gates. The airport is easily accessible via multiple transport options.

Taxi

Mears Transportation & Autana Group Services offer a taxi service to and from Orlando International Airport. They also provide transport to other destinations in Central Florida, including resorts, restaurants, and theme parks.

Shuttle

SuperShuttle offers a shuttle service to and from Orlando International Airport. You can book a ride in advance to ensure a stress-free journey.

Bus

Mears Transportation also provides a bus service to and from the airport, with connections to Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Springs Resorts, and other Disney area Resort Hotels.

Car

Mears Transportation offers a car service to and from Orlando International Airport.

Rail

The Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal accommodates an extension of the SunRail commuter rail service. The route travels along an Orlando Utilities Commission rail spur before branching off to the intermodal station or an intermediate transfer point for light rail. Multiple options are being considered for improved connections to International Drive, including a maglev train system and a light rail link.

Terminal A's levels and facilities

Terminal A, also part of the North Terminal Complex, includes a tramway system that connects the northern half of the main terminal building to Airside 1 (Gates 1–29) and Airside 2 (Gates 100–129). It is split into three levels:

• Level 1: Ground transportation, including buses and car rentals, baggage storage, and baggage claim.
• Level 2: Carousels for bags, transportation app pickup (Uber, Lyft, Wingz), and a relieving area for service animals.
• Level 3: Currency exchange, information desk, restrooms, bars, and access to hotels.

Concourse 1 of Terminal A caters to international flights, while Concourse 2 is for domestic flights.

Terminal A has a variety of amenities to make your trip as comfortable and convenient as possible, including a food court, shopping stores, currency exchange offices, lounges, spas, quiet rooms, chapels, and ATMs.

In addition, there is a parking level (R-1) that includes some airline check-in counters, mainly for domestic flights, and designated areas for independent taxi services like Uber and Lyft.

Terminal B's levels and facilities

Terminal B at Orlando International Airport is located on the southern part of the North Terminal Complex. The terminal has tramway systems to Airside 3 (Gates 30-59) and Airside 4 (Gates 70-99), as well as to Terminal C.

Terminal B has three levels:

Level 1

• Ground transportation options such as buses, car rentals, etc.
• Baggage storage and baggage claim (28B)
• Carousels for bags (20-32)
• Transportation app pickup (Uber, Lyft, Wingz)
• Relieving area for service animals and a nursing home

Level 2

• Currency exchange
• Information desk
• VIP lounges
• Separate checkpoints for two different boarding gates

Level 3

Gates

Concourse 3, accessible from Terminal B, deals with domestic flights, while Concourse 4 operates international flights.

Terminal C's levels and facilities

Terminal C, also known as the South Terminal Complex, is Orlando International Airport's newest terminal, having opened in September 2022. The terminal is located four minutes away from the North Terminal Complex, which houses Terminals A and B. Terminal C is dedicated to international flights from both US and non-US airlines, including Emirates, Aer Lingus, and British Airways.

The terminal has four levels, with the first level providing ground transportation options such as shuttles, as well as a lost and found office and nursing rooms. The second level features check-in counters for various airlines, bridges leading to garage C, and car rental companies. Level three of Terminal C includes baggage claims, a cafeteria, and customs and immigration services. The fourth level is dedicated to departure gates, which range from gate 230 to gate 245.

In addition to the terminal, a large intermodal facility is also being constructed. This facility will house a people mover station that connects passengers to the North Terminal Complex and parking garage C. The intermodal facility will also accommodate regional rail systems for SunRail and Virgin Trains USA services, as well as additional ground transportation options such as public buses, shuttles, and taxis.

Frequently asked questions