Roberta Aguirre
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a bustling aviation hub, currently ranked as the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. With a rich history dating back to 1978, the airport has undergone significant expansions over the years, including the addition of multiple runways and gates. Today, MCO caters to a vast number of passengers, with an estimated annual capacity of 100 million upon completion of its South Terminal Complex. The airport offers a range of amenities, including an on-site hotel, an interfaith chapel, and even its own radio station, FlyMCO 105.1 HD2. Serving as a gateway to Florida, MCO experiences varying weather conditions and occasional delays, but it remains a vital transport link for travellers from around the globe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Orlando International Airport |
| Airport Code | MCO |
| Location | Orlando, Florida, US |
| Area | 47 sq. km |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Control Tower Height | 345 ft |
| Annual Passenger Capacity | 100 million |
| Number of Gates | 120 |
| Current Weather | Partly cloudy, 85°F (29°C), Wind: 5 kts |
| Current Delay Status | Very low and decreasing |
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What You'll Learn
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the fifth-largest airport in the US by land area
MCO is the primary international airport in Orlando and serves as a major gateway to the Florida region. In 2024, the airport handled 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States. The airport serves as a base for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines, with Southwest being the largest carrier by passenger numbers.
MCO features three terminals (A, B, and C) and four concourses (1, 2, 3, and 4). Automated people movers transport passengers between Terminals A and B and the departure concourses within the secure area. There are two lines on the east side of the terminal building, connecting to concourses 1 and 3, and another two lines on the west side, providing access to concourses 2 and 4. A fifth line, the Terminal Link, operates between Terminal B and the MCO train station, allowing passengers to walk to Terminal C in around 10 minutes.
Orlando International Airport offers a range of transportation options to and from the airport. Brightline trains run from the MCO station to various destinations within Florida, including Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Miami. Local Lynx buses provide connections to downtown Orlando, International Drive, SeaWorld, and the Florida Mall, while the Greyhound station can be reached via two local Lynx buses. Additionally, shared and private shuttles are available from designated parking spaces at the airport.
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MCO has North America's fourth-tallest control tower
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Covering 47 square kilometers (18.1 sq mi), it is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. MCO is also one of the largest commercial airports in the country in terms of land area, spanning 11,605 acres (4,696 ha). In 2024, it was the busiest airport in Florida and the ninth busiest airport in the United States, serving over 57 million passengers. MCO is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines serving over 170 domestic and international destinations.
MCO's air traffic control (ATC) tower stands at 345 feet (105 meters) tall, making it the fourth-tallest control tower in North America. ATC towers are typically the tallest buildings at airports, providing controllers with a bird's-eye view of the airport grounds and enabling them to direct air traffic effectively. The tower at MCO opened in 2002, replacing two earlier control towers: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tower and the US Air Force (USAF) control tower. The new tower contributed to the airport's significant growth in passenger numbers.
The design of the MCO ATC tower was a collaborative effort. George Edward Johnson, Jr., a FAA design engineer, played a pivotal role in its design, along with others in Orlando, Memphis, Miami, and Denver. Johnson also led the design of the Hartsfield Jackson Air Traffic Control Tower, which ranks as the fifth-tallest tower in the world.
Standing at 345 feet, the MCO ATC tower is not only North America's fourth-tallest, but it is also among the tallest in the world. Its height is a defining feature, providing the necessary elevation for air traffic controllers to efficiently manage the extensive ground operations and the influx of flights at this bustling international airport.
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The airport's estimated capacity is 100 million passengers annually
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. In 1978, the airport served 5 million passengers. By 2018, that number had risen to 47 million, making it the busiest airport in the state of Florida. The airport's estimated capacity is 100 million passengers annually when completed.
The airport has seen several expansions and improvements over the years. In 2017, construction began on the South Terminal Complex, with Terminal C opening in September 2022 with 20 gates. The South Terminal Complex will eventually include Terminal D, located east of the Intermodal Terminal, which will provide an additional 100 gates. The Intermodal Terminal was built to accommodate an extension of the SunRail commuter rail service.
The airport has also made significant investments in its infrastructure. In 2018, Gate 90 was updated with three jetways to accommodate the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft. Orlando International Airport was also a designated Space Shuttle emergency landing site, and its west-side runways were designed for B-52 Stratofortress bombers.
With its continuous growth and development, Orlando International Airport is well-equipped to handle the high volume of air traffic it receives each year. The airport's estimated capacity of 100 million passengers annually demonstrates its ability to accommodate a significant number of travellers and reinforces its position as one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States.
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MCO has four runways and 120 gates
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a busy airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. It is the primary international airport in the region, serving as a major gateway to Florida with over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines, connecting over 170 domestic and international destinations. MCO is a large airport, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area.
MCO has an impressive four runways and 120 gates, with the capacity to handle a high volume of air traffic. The airport's runways were extended in the past to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 707, and the number of runways has increased over the years to facilitate the growing air traffic. The four runways at MCO range from 9,000 to 12,000 feet in length, enabling simultaneous instrument landings for three airliners, a capability that very few airports possess.
The airport's gates are spread across multiple concourses and terminals, providing efficient passenger processing and boarding. Concourse 2, for example, serves domestic flights from gates 100 to 129, while Concourse 4 handles mostly domestic flights from gates 70 to 99. The gates are easily accessible via walkways or people movers, ensuring a smooth flow of passenger traffic.
MCO's efficient design and ample infrastructure, including its four runways and 120 gates, contribute to its status as one of the busiest and most well-equipped airports in the United States, accommodating millions of passengers each year.
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The airport features an on-site Hyatt Regency hotel
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located in Florida and is currently experiencing minor delays of 15 minutes or less for both arrivals and departures.
The hotel's rooms are well-equipped and comfortable, according to guest reviews, although there have been some concerns about noise and cleanliness. The Hyatt Regency's soundproofing has been praised for effectively blocking out airport noise, but some guests have questioned the value proposition, suggesting that the costs may outweigh the benefits.
Despite this, the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport provides a convenient option for travellers, especially those with early morning or late-night flights. The hotel offers special day-use rates for travellers looking to upgrade their layover and experience the amenities and services the hotel has to offer.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is open and functioning.
Orlando Airport is currently experiencing very low and decreasing delays. There are minor delays to arrivals and departures of 15 minutes or less.
The weather is partly sunny with highs in the upper 80s. There is a slight chance of showers late in the afternoon and a 20% chance of rain.
Orlando International Airport currently handles around 44-47 million passengers annually. The final estimated capacity when completed is 100 million passengers per year.
