Ruth Haines
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major airline hub located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. MCO is the airport code for Orlando International Airport, which stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base. The airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi). With a wide range of amenities and services, Orlando International Airport ensures that travellers have a comfortable journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Orlando International Airport |
| Airport Code | MCO |
| Former Name | McCoy Air Force Base |
| Location | 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida |
| Land Area | 47 sq. km (18.1 sq. mi) or 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) |
| Height of Control Tower | 345 feet (North America's fourth tallest) |
| Number of Concourses | 4 |
| Number of Gates | 93 |
| Number of Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars | 70+ |
| Number of Retail Stores | 90+ |
| Number of Destinations | 110+ |
| Number of Enplanements (2021) | 19,618,838 |
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What You'll Learn
MCO stands for McCoy Air Force Base
McCoy Air Force Base was originally constructed for the U.S. military in the early 1940s and was active during World War II, when it was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. The base was then reactivated during the Korean War as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility for B-47 Stratojets and KC-97 Stratofreighters, and it was renamed Pinecastle AFB. In the 1950s, the base began hosting SAC's annual Bombing and Navigation Competition. During the 1960s, the airport became a joint base for both civilian and military flights.
In 1975, the final Air Force contingent departed McCoy AFB, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established. The airport gained its current name, Orlando International Airport, and international airport status a year later in 1976 but retained its old IATA airport code MCO and ICAO airport code KMCO. Orlando International Airport is now among the busiest commercial airports in the world, measured by annual passenger throughput. Over thirty airlines serve the airport, with hundreds of daily flights to destinations across the United States and overseas.
Tributes to Colonel McCoy and McCoy AFB can be found throughout the airport, including the airport's ICAO, FAA, and IATA airfield identifiers, as well as on airline tickets and baggage tags, which continue to read "MCO". A portrait of Colonel McCoy hangs in the airport's main landside terminal near the airport chapel, and one of the restaurants in the airport's Hyatt Hotel is named McCoy's.
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Orlando International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the US
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport's code, MCO, stands for its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. Orlando International Airport covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. It is also one of the busiest airports in the country, with 19,618,838 enplanements in 2021, making it the seventh busiest airport in the United States that year. By 2023, the airport handled 57.7 million passengers, ranking it as the sixth busiest airport in the US.
The airfield was originally constructed as a US 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 January 1943, Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield, which was active during World War II. After a brief pause in operations, the airfield resumed activity during the Korean War. In 1958, it was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in honour of Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition.
In the early 1960s, the airport became a joint civil-military facility, serving both civilian and military flights. The arrival of jet airline flights to Orlando made this transition necessary, as early jetliners required longer and sturdier runways than those at Herndon Airport (the former name of Orlando Executive Airport). The airport gained its current name and international status in 1976, but it retained its IATA airport code, MCO, and ICAO airport code, KMCO. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established in 1975 as a local governmental agency to manage and oversee expansions to the airport. Construction of the current Landside Terminal and two Airsides on the west side of the terminal (now known as Airsides 1 and 3) began in 1978 and opened in 1981.
Orlando International Airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines servicing 135 domestic and international destinations. The airport is home to maintenance bases for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, the latter being the airport's largest carrier by passengers carried. The airport has four runways, the longest of which is 12,005 feet (3,659 meters) long, making it more than capable of handling widebody airliners.
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The airport is located 6-12 miles southeast of downtown Orlando
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is conveniently located just 6-12 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, making it easily accessible to the city and its surrounding areas. The airport covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area. With a total of 93 gates across four airside concourses, MCO is a major airline hub, offering flights to over 110 destinations worldwide.
MCO is easily accessible by various transportation options. The LYNX local bus service connects the airport to downtown Orlando and other popular destinations such as Florida Mall, Orange County Convention Center, and SeaWorld. Hotel shuttles, rental cars, and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also convenient options for travellers.
The airport provides a wide range of amenities to ensure a comfortable travel experience. It features a USO Lounge, Airline Club Lounges, family restrooms, nursing rooms, and dedicated spaces for quiet reflection and prayer. For dining, MCO offers a diverse selection of over 70 restaurants, cafes, and bars serving various cuisines, including American, Italian, Mexican, and Asian options.
MCO also boasts an extensive shopping experience, with more than 90 stores offering a variety of products, from clothes and gifts to electronics. Duty-free shopping is available at the international terminal, where passengers can purchase luxury goods, cosmetics, and alcohol. Additionally, MCO showcases commissioned art across its terminals and grounds, providing a unique experience for art enthusiasts.
In conclusion, Orlando International Airport, located just 6-12 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, is a modern, well-equipped, and award-winning airport. With its convenient location, ample transportation options, diverse amenities, and extensive shopping and dining choices, MCO offers a seamless and enjoyable travel experience for passengers from around the world.
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MCO is the 7th/8th busiest airport in the US
Orlando International Airport, with the airport code MCO, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. In 2021, it was ranked as the seventh busiest airport in the country, with 19,618,838 enplanements. It is a major international gateway for Florida, with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines serving 135 domestic and international destinations. MCO is also one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi).
The airport's IATA code, MCO, originates from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The airport's name was changed to Orlando International Airport in 1976, but it retained its original IATA code. Orlando International Airport is now a primary international airport, located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida.
Orlando International Airport has a rich history, initially constructed for the U.S. military in the early 1940s. During World War II, it was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield and was briefly used for glide tests of the Bell X-1 aircraft. The airfield was reactivated during the Korean War and renamed McCoy Air Force Base in 1958, honouring Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot killed in a bombing and navigation competition.
In the 1960s, the airport began serving both civilian and military flights. After the Vietnam War, the focus shifted primarily to passenger flights, with the first passenger terminals opening in 1981. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established to manage and oversee the airport's operations and development. Today, MCO boasts four concourses, over 150 shops, and a wide range of amenities and services for travellers.
MCO is a significant transportation hub, offering flights to over 110 destinations worldwide. It serves as a convenient stopping point for travellers in the Southeast region. The airport is also home to a maintenance base for United Airlines and was a hub for Delta Air Lines until 2007. With its extensive flight offerings and convenient location, MCO plays a crucial role in facilitating travel to and from Central Florida.
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MCO has North America's fourth-tallest control tower
The airport code MCO stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation. The base was closed in 1975 as part of a general military drawdown following the end of the Vietnam War. The airport is now known as Orlando International Airport and is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Orlando International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi).
Orlando International Airport's control tower is the fourth-tallest in North America and the fifth-tallest in the US, standing at 345 feet (105 m). It is also the tenth-tallest in the world. The tower was opened in 2002, replacing two earlier Air Force and FAA control towers. The construction of the new tower allowed the airport to expand, as air traffic controllers could see further from their higher vantage point. This expansion led to significant growth in passenger numbers at the airport, with Orlando International Airport becoming one of the busiest airports in the United States.
The Orlando International Airport control tower was designed by Radian International LLC and constructed by Hensel Phelps in conjunction with FAA designers. The project began in February 2000 and cost $28.7 million. The tower is part of the Landside Terminal, which was constructed in 1981 along with two Airsides on the west side of the terminal (known today as Airsides 1 and 3). An interfaith chapel was also constructed behind the security for Gates 1-59 in 1981.
Orlando International Airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines servicing 135 domestic and international destinations. In 2021, the airport had 19,618,838 enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the seventh busiest in the United States. The airport serves as an operating base for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Southwest is the airport's largest carrier in terms of passengers carried.
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Frequently asked questions
MCO stands for McCoy Air Force Base, the airport's original name.
Orlando International Airport.
MCO.
KMCO.
MCO.
