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Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major airline hub located in Central Florida, 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando. The airport's code, MCO, is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation that closed in 1975. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), a state-chartered local governmental agency, was established in the same year to manage and oversee expansions to the airport, which gained its current name and international status in 1976. Today, MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometers. It is also one of the busiest airports in the country, serving over 57 million passengers in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Orlando International Airport |
| Location | 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida |
| Airport Code | MCO |
| Former Name | McCoy Air Force Base |
| Owner | Greater Orlando Aviation Authority |
| Year Established | 1976 |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Main Terminal Sides | A and B |
| Lounges | USO Lounge, Delta Sky Club, United Club, American Airlines Admirals Club, The Club at MCO Lounge |
| Amenities | Family restrooms, nursing rooms, fitness center, restaurants, cafes, bars, duty-free shopping, specialty retail shops, free Wi-Fi, pet relief areas, therapy dog program, spa services, play areas for kids |
| Parking | Accessible parking, free parking for vehicles with specialized mobility equipment or disabled veteran plates, cell phone waiting lots |
| Hotels | Hyatt Regency |
| Airlines | Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Avelo Airlines |
| Passenger Traffic | 57,211,628 passengers in 2024, 9th busiest airport in the US |
| Land Area | 11,605 acres |
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What You'll Learn
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), a state-chartered local government agency
- MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area
- The airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights
- MCO has two terminals, with airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking facilities
- The airport offers various amenities, including lounges, family restrooms, nursing rooms, a fitness centre, and dining and shopping options
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), a state-chartered local government agency
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major airline hub located in Central Florida, just 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando. It is the primary international airport in the region and is Florida's busiest airport. In 2024, it served 57,211,628 passengers, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States.
MCO is owned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), a state-chartered local government agency. The GOAA was established in 1975, following the departure of the final Air Force contingent from McCoy Air Force Base. The GOAA's mission is to manage, operate, and oversee construction and improvements to both the Orlando International Airport and the Orlando Executive Airport.
The airport gained its current name and international status in 1976, though it retained its old IATA airport code, MCO, which stands for McCoy Air Force Base, its former name. Orlando International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometers (18.1 sq mi). It has two terminals, the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C, and four airside concourses with 93 gates.
The airport offers a wide range of amenities and services for travellers, including lounges, family restrooms, nursing rooms, a fitness centre, dedicated spaces for quiet reflection and prayer, restaurants, cafes, bars, duty-free shopping, and specialty retail shops.
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MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area
Orlando International Airport, commonly known as MCO, is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area. It covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) or 53.83 square kilometres (20.8 sq mi) according to another source, making it the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area.
MCO is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility, and military operations began in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field #2, an auxiliary airfield to Orlando Army Air Base (now Orlando Executive Airport). In 1943, Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield. After World War II, Pinecastle was used for unpowered glide tests of the Bell X-1 from B-29 aircraft before the program moved to California for the world's first supersonic flight.
In 1975, the final Air Force contingent departed, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established as a state-chartered local governmental agency and an enterprise fund of the city of Orlando. GOAA was tasked with operating, managing, and overseeing construction and improvements to both the Orlando International Airport and the Orlando Executive Airport. The airport gained its international status in 1976 and was designated a large hub airport by the FAA in 1979 based on flight operations and passenger traffic.
MCO has two terminals: the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C, which is located south of the airport property. The main terminal is divided into the A and B sides for airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking. The facilities span three floors, with airline ticketing on level 3, baggage claim on levels 2 and 3, and ground transportation on level 1. The airport also features North America's fourth-tallest control tower, which stands at 345 feet.
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The airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major international gateway for the Florida region. Located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, the airport covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. With over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines serving over 170 domestic and international destinations, it is Florida's busiest airport and the ninth busiest airport in the United States. In 2018, the airport handled 47 million passengers, and in 2024, that number rose to 57,211,628.
The airport's history dates back to 1942 when it was constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility, originally named Orlando Army Air Field #2. In 1943, it was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield, and after World War II, it was briefly used for glide tests of the Bell X-1. The airfield was then placed in caretaker status until the Korean War, when it was reactivated as a Strategic Air Command installation. In 1975, the base closed as part of a general military drawdown following the Vietnam War, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established as a local governmental agency to manage the airport. The airport gained its current name and international status in 1976, retaining its old IATA airport code MCO.
MCO has two terminals: the North Terminal Complex and the recently constructed Terminal C. The main terminal is split into A and B sides for ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking. The facilities span three floors, with ticketing on level 3, baggage claim on levels 2 and 3, and ground transportation on level 1. The airport offers a range of amenities, including a food court, shops, and the Hyatt Regency hotel on level 3.
Orlando International Airport is a significant hub for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. It also serves as a focus city for JetBlue, and Southwest is the largest carrier by passenger numbers. The airport provides convenient access to popular tourist destinations, such as Walt Disney World, and is well-equipped to handle a large volume of passengers and flights, making it a crucial gateway for international travel to and from the Florida region.
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MCO has two terminals, with airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking facilities
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a large commercial airport in the United States. It is located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. In 2024, it served 57,211,628 passengers, making it the ninth-busiest airport in the country.
MCO has two terminals: the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C, which is located south of the airport property. The main terminal is divided into two sides, A and B, for airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking facilities. The facilities are spread across three floors, with airline ticketing on level 3, baggage claim on levels 2 and 3, and ground transportation on level 1.
Passengers should note which side their airline operates from, as this can impact parking and pickup/drop-off locations. The A-side is for ticketing, baggage claim, and ground transportation, while the B-side has security checkpoints, shops, and restaurants. There is a food court in the centre of the terminal, and shops on level 3 on either side of it. The Hyatt Regency hotel is also located on level 3, with some balconies opening onto the atrium on the east side of the main terminal.
MCO has three security checkpoints: one on the west side of the main terminal serving gates 1-59, another on the east side serving gates 70-129, and the third in Terminal C on level 2. The airport has four airside terminals in total (A, B, C, and D), which are connected to the main terminal by a free shuttle train.
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The airport offers various amenities, including lounges, family restrooms, nursing rooms, a fitness centre, and dining and shopping options
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a government-owned airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. It is the primary international airport in Orlando and the ninth busiest airport in the United States, serving over 57 million passengers in 2024. The airport offers a range of amenities to cater to the diverse needs of its travellers:
Lounges
The airport has lounges for travellers to wait for their flights in comfort.
Family restrooms
MCO has family restrooms, also known as Companion Care Restrooms, located on Levels 1 and 3 of the "A" and "B" Terminals and at all four Airsides (gate areas). These restrooms are spacious, accommodating strollers and multiple family members, and are equipped with changing tables.
Nursing rooms
For nursing mothers, MCO provides comfortable and private lactation rooms equipped with seating, electrical outlets, and sinks. These rooms offer a quiet and relaxed environment for breastfeeding or pumping breast milk.
Dining options
MCO offers a variety of dining options catering to different preferences and needs, from quick bites to sit-down meals. The airport is also home to a 3,000-gallon aquarium in the food court, providing a unique dining experience.
Shopping options
The airport has a wide range of shopping options, including themed souvenir stores like Magic of Disney and Universal Orlando, and international brands like Oakley, Swarovski, and Hudson News & Gifts for essential items and last-minute purchases.
Other amenities
In addition to the amenities mentioned above, MCO also features a fitness centre. The airport terminals are designed with wide corridors and elevators to accommodate strollers and families with bulky luggage, making navigation easier.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, MCO Airport is government property. It is also known as Orlando International Airport and is located in Orlando, Florida.
MCO stands for McCoy Air Force Base, the airport's former name.
MCO is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling over 57 million passengers in 2024. It is the busiest airport in Florida and offers flights to over 110 destinations worldwide.
MCO has various amenities, including lounges, family restrooms, nursing rooms, a fitness centre, restaurants, cafes, bars, duty-free shopping, and specialty retail shops.
MCO provides several parking options, including accessible parking near elevator shafts and free parking for vehicles with specialised mobility equipment or displaying certain exemptions/veteran plates.
