Orlando's Main Airport: All You Need To Know

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, Florida. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world, serving over 57 million passengers in 2023. The airport offers numerous domestic, international, and intercontinental flights and serves as a hub for several major airlines. With a vast selection of dining and shopping options, unlimited free Wi-Fi, and easy access to public transportation, Orlando International Airport is a convenient gateway to the Florida region.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. It is the primary international airport in the region, serving as a hub for Silver Airways and an operating base for Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. With over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines, the airport connects Orlando to 135 domestic and international destinations.

MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 11,605 acres. The airport features a hub-and-spoke layout with one central terminal building and four smaller concourses connected by elevated people movers. Additionally, it has four runways and a helipad.

The airport's IATA code, MCO, originates from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The base was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a commander who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition in 1958.

Orlando International Airport is easily accessible by various transportation options, including local buses, hotel shuttles, taxis, ridesharing services, and private or shared door-to-door transportation. The airport also offers a variety of services and amenities, such as unlimited free Wi-Fi, financial services, charging stations, dedicated spaces for breastfeeding mothers, meeting rooms, and prayer rooms.

The airport is well-equipped to cater to travellers' needs with a wide range of dining options, including restaurants, cafes, fast-food outlets, and bars across all terminals. Additionally, MCO boasts a vast selection of shopping options, from duty-free items and cosmetics to electronics and local specialities. Orlando's car rental market is also one of the largest in the world, with major companies operating at the airport.

MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport in Orlando, Florida. It is located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando. In 2021, it was the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the seventh busiest airport in the United States, with 19,618,838 enplanements. The airport serves as a hub for Silver Airways and is an operating base for Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. It is also a focus city for JetBlue.

The large land area of MCO allows for a significant number of facilities and amenities. The airport has one main terminal building, also known as the North Terminal Complex, and a newly opened Terminal C. The main terminal is split into A and B sides for airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking. There are four airside concourses where flights depart, and each concourse is connected to the terminal via an automated people mover. The airport features an on-site Hyatt Regency hotel, which is located on the fourth floor of the Terminal A/B complex.

In addition to its substantial land area, MCO also handles a large number of passengers and flights. The airport serves 135 domestic and international destinations and has over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines. In 2018, the airport handled 47 million passengers, and this number is expected to increase to 70 million annually with the addition of Terminal C. The final estimated capacity of the airport is set at 100 million passengers annually.

The airport is a hub for Silver Airways and an operating base for several other airlines

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a hub for Silver Airways and an operating base for several other airlines. The airport is located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, Florida. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling over 57.7 million passengers in 2023. The airport features a hub-and-spoke layout with one central terminal building and four smaller concourses connected by an automated people mover. It has four runways, a helipad, and covers 11,605 acres, making it one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area.

Orlando International Airport serves as an operating base for Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. These airlines, along with several others, offer numerous domestic, international, and intercontinental flights to and from Orlando. The airport is also a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines serving 135 domestic and international destinations.

The airport provides a range of services and amenities for passengers, including unlimited free Wi-Fi, financial services, charging stations, dedicated spaces for breastfeeding mothers, meeting rooms, workspaces, prayer rooms, pet relief areas, and a gym and pool at the on-site Hyatt Regency Hotel. The airport also boasts a wide range of dining and shopping options, including restaurants, cafes, fast-food outlets, bars, duty-free shops, clothing stores, cosmetics shops, and electronics stores.

Orlando International Airport has a rich history, dating back to the early 1940s when it was originally built for the U.S. military and known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. After a brief pause in operations, the airport resumed service during the Korean War and was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in 1958. The airport became a joint base for civilian and military flights in the 1960s, and in the following decades, it underwent expansions and improvements to accommodate the growing demand for air travel to and from Orlando. Today, Orlando International Airport continues to be a busy and vibrant airport, serving millions of passengers each year and contributing significantly to the region's economy.

MCO offers unlimited free Wi-Fi, charging stations, meeting rooms, prayer rooms, and more

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located in Florida, 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world, offering numerous domestic, international, and intercontinental flights.

MCO offers a range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of travellers. One notable feature is the unlimited free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. This allows travellers to stay connected and access the internet without any data restrictions or additional costs. Additionally, MCO provides charging stations for electronic devices, ensuring that passengers can keep their devices charged and stay connected during their time at the airport.

For those seeking a quiet space to work or meet, MCO offers dedicated meeting rooms. These rooms provide a professional and private environment for business travellers or individuals who need a quiet space to focus or collaborate. The airport also offers workspaces for those who need a more casual work environment.

Recognising the diverse needs of its passengers, MCO has incorporated prayer rooms, allowing individuals to engage in religious practices and find solace during their travels. Furthermore, for breastfeeding mothers, MCO provides dedicated spaces to ensure their comfort and privacy.

MCO also offers a range of other amenities, including financial services, baggage services, tourist information, travel assistance, and pet relief areas. The airport caters to a wide range of traveller needs, ensuring a convenient and comfortable experience for all its passengers.

There are two terminal complexes: the North Terminal Complex (Terminals A and B) and the South Terminal Complex (Terminal C)

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has two terminal complexes: the North Terminal Complex and the South Terminal Complex.

North Terminal Complex (Terminals A and B)

The North Terminal Complex is a large building divided into north and south sides, forming Terminals A and B, respectively. Terminal A is accessible via the north tramway system, and Terminal B via the south tramway system. Satellites 1-4 are accessible via an automated people mover (APM or Terminal Link). There are two security checkpoints to access the west lounge (Satellites 1 and 3) and the east atrium (Satellites 2 and 4). The Hyatt Regency Hotel is located between Terminals A and B.

South Terminal Complex (Terminal C)

The South Terminal Complex, comprising Terminal C, was inaugurated in September 2022. Terminal C is connected to the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal, which provides a connection to Terminals A and B via the Terminal Link people mover. Terminal C accommodates international flights by non-US airlines as well as all JetBlue flights. The terminal is also connected to the Intermodal Terminal by an elevated enclosed walkway and a shared parking garage.

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