
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a large airport that spans 12,264 acres or 53.83km² (20.8 square miles). It is the third-largest airport in North America and the seventh busiest in the US. On the other hand, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the largest airport in the US and the busiest passenger airport worldwide since 1998. It covers 4,700 acres of land, which is impressive but still less than what is required to be considered among the top ten largest airports in the US. So, while Atlanta serves more passengers than any other airport, Orlando Airport is indeed bigger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Orlando Airport | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| Size | 12,264 acres |
| 4,700 acres | |
| Ranking | Third largest airport in the US and in North America |
| Largest airport in the US | |
| No. of destinations | 135 |
| 220 | |
| No. of passengers | 57 million |
| 55.4 million |
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What You'll Learn
- Orlando International Airport is the third-largest airport in North America
- Orlando Airport covers 12,264 acres
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the largest airport in the US
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world
- Orlando Airport is the seventh-best airport in the world

Orlando International Airport is the third-largest airport in North America
Orlando International Airport is a major gateway to the Sunshine State, Florida, and beyond. Covering 12,264 acres, it is bigger than Los Angeles International Airport, JFK, and Miami International Airport combined. Orlando International Airport is the third-largest airport in North America and the seventh busiest airport in the US. It is also one of the top ten busiest airports in the world.
Orlando International Airport, with the IATA code MCO, first opened as McCoy US Air Force Base in 1942. It was designated for civil use in 1976 and has since expanded to accommodate growing passenger numbers. The airport served over 57 million passengers in 2023, with 405,925 aircraft movements. To handle this traffic, the airport features a main landside building with two terminals, A and B, and four runways. Terminal A leads to Airside 1 and 2, while Terminal B links to Airsides 3 and 4.
The airport has continued to expand, with the recent addition of Terminal C in the South Terminal Complex (STC). This new terminal has increased the airport's capacity by 15 million passengers per year and houses airlines such as JetBlue, British Airways, and Lufthansa. The South Terminal Complex also provides a connection to an intermodal transport hub, linking the airport with the Florida High-Speed Rail Line.
Orlando International Airport's large size is a result of the high volume of air traffic in the US. US airports handle approximately half of the world's air traffic, due in part to the immense size of the country and the preference for air travel over other means of transportation. Orlando International Airport's location in a popular tourist destination, with nearby attractions like Disney World, also contributes to its high ranking in terms of size and passenger traffic.
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Orlando Airport covers 12,264 acres
Orlando International Airport (MCO) covers 12,264 acres of land, making it the third-largest airport in North America. This vast area includes four runways and a helipad. The airport first opened as McCoy US Air Force Base in 1942 and was designated for civil use in 1976. It has since expanded, adding a South Terminal Complex with a connection to an intermodal transport hub. Orlando Airport is a major gateway to Florida and beyond, with 44 airlines serving 135 destinations worldwide.
In comparison, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) covers 4,700 acres of land. While Atlanta's airport is smaller in terms of acreage, it is the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic. It serves around 55.4 million passengers annually and offers 220 destinations. Atlanta's airport is a major hub, connecting travellers to a wide range of destinations.
Orlando Airport's large acreage is a significant advantage, allowing for the future expansion of terminals, runways, and other facilities. The airport's size also provides ample space for a range of ground transportation options, including shuttles, taxis, ride-sharing services, and car rentals. This contributes to the overall convenience and accessibility of the airport for travellers.
Additionally, the extra space at Orlando Airport can accommodate various amenities and services that enhance the traveller experience. These can include shops, restaurants, lounges, and other facilities that cater to the needs and comfort of passengers. The airport's size also enables efficient traffic flow and reduces congestion, both on the ground and in the air.
Orlando Airport's 12,264 acres not only facilitate its operations but also contribute to its status as a major aviation hub in the region. The airport's size, combined with its range of destinations and transportation options, makes it a convenient and attractive option for travellers visiting Florida and beyond.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the largest airport in the US
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the largest airport in the United States, covering 4,700 acres of land. It has held its top position as the busiest passenger airport in the country and worldwide since 1998, serving around 55.4 million passengers annually. The airport offers 220 destinations and is located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Orlando International Airport (MCO), on the other hand, is the third-largest airport in North America, spanning 53.83 km² (20.8 square miles) or 12,264 acres. It is bigger than Los Angeles International Airport, JFK, and Miami International Airport combined. Orlando International Airport served over 57 million passengers in 2023, with 405,925 aircraft movements.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's top ranking is attributed to its efficiency and high passenger traffic. It serves more passengers than any other airport, despite being smaller in size compared to other airports in the top ten largest airports in the US.
Orlando International Airport, also a significant aviation hub, has expanded over the years to accommodate growing passenger traffic. It features a main landside building with two terminals, A and B, and recently added Terminal C, increasing its capacity by 15 million passengers per year.
In summary, while Orlando International Airport is an extensive and significant aviation hub in North America, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport surpasses it in size and passenger traffic, solidifying its ranking as the largest airport in the United States.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world, a title it has held since 1998. It serves around 55.4 million passengers annually, offering 220 destinations. The airport is also the largest in the US, spanning 4,700 acres of land. Despite its impressive size, it is still not one of the top ten largest airports in the country.
Orlando International Airport (MCO), on the other hand, is the third-largest airport in North America, covering 12,264 acres of land. This makes it bigger than Los Angeles International Airport, JFK, and Miami International Airport combined. Orlando International served more than 57 million passengers in 2023, with 405,925 aircraft movements. The airport has four runways and one helipad, with two terminals: Terminal A and B. A new Terminal C was also opened in 2022, increasing the airport's capacity by 15 million passengers per year.
Orlando International Airport is also ranked as the seventh-best airport in the world, thanks to its range of transportation options, including shuttles, taxis, ride-sharing services, and car rentals. It is a major gateway to Florida's most popular destinations, as well as the Caribbean and Latin America.
While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest and largest in terms of passenger traffic, Orlando International Airport boasts a larger area, contributing to its ranking as one of the largest airports in North America.
In summary, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport stands out for its high volume of passenger traffic, while Orlando International Airport distinguishes itself with its expansive size and range of amenities, both playing significant roles in their respective rankings within the aviation industry.
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Orlando Airport is the seventh-best airport in the world
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major international gateway to the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights to more than 170 domestic and international destinations. In 2024, it served 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida, the seventh busiest in the world for 2021, and the ninth busiest in the US.
The airport's history dates back to 1942, when it was first established as McCoy US Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation. In 1976, it was designated for civil use and renamed Orlando International Airport. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, including the recent addition of the South Terminal Complex (STC) and Terminal C, which was built for $2.8 billion and will be largely automated.
Orlando Airport provides a wide range of transportation options, including shuttles, taxis, ride-sharing services, and car rentals, making it a convenient choice for travellers. It also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and other amenities, contributing to its ranking as the seventh-best airport in the world.
The airport spans 53.83 square kilometres (20.8 square miles) or 12,264 acres, making it bigger than Los Angeles International Airport, JFK, and Miami International Airport combined. It features four runways and one helipad, with two terminals (Terminal A and B) and plans for further expansion with the addition of Terminal C. Orlando Airport is also known for its role in supporting tourism, with many travellers visiting nearby attractions such as Disney World.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the largest airport in the US, spanning 4,700 acres of land. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the third-largest airport in the US, covering 12,264 acres.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the US and the world, serving around 55.4 million passengers annually.
Orlando International Airport has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, with plans to add Terminal C in the future.




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