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Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a busy airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. It is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres. The airport code, MCO, comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Orlando International Airport |
| IATA Code | MCO |
| ICAO Code | KMCO |
| FAA LID | MCO |
| Location | 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Size | 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) or 47 sq km (18.1 sq mi) |
| Ranking | 5th largest airport in the US by land area; 9th busiest airport in the US |
| Passengers | 5 million (1978); 47 million (2018); 57.2 million (2024) |
| Airlines | Breeze Airways; Frontier Airlines; Southwest Airlines; Spirit Airlines; JetBlue; United Airlines; Delta Air Lines (until 2007); AirTran Airways (until 2014); Allegiant Air; Emirates |
| Parking | Accepts E-Pass and SunPass toll transponders for parking payment |
| Control Tower Height | 345 feet (4th tallest in North America) |
| History | Originally built for the US Army Air Forces in the early 1940s; Named Pinecastle Army Airfield during World War II; Brief pause in operations and then reactivated during the Korean War; Renamed McCoy Air Force Base in 1958 after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy; Became a joint base for civilian and military flights in the 1960s; Military use scaled back after the Vietnam War |
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What You'll Learn
MCO is an abbreviation of McCoy Air Force Base
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Covering 47 square kilometres, it is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area. The airport is the primary international airport in Orlando and the second busiest in the state of Florida, with 57,211,628 passengers in 2024. MCO is an abbreviation of McCoy Air Force Base, a former Strategic Air Command installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The airport code MCO is derived from this former name.
McCoy Air Force Base was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition. The airfield was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility during World War II, when it was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. It was active during this time and was used for unpowered glide tests of the Bell X-1 from B-29 aircraft. After the war, the airfield was placed in caretaker status until it was reactivated during the Korean War as a Strategic Air Command installation.
In the 1960s, the airport became a joint base for both civilian and military flights. Following the end of the Vietnam War, the air force base was closed and military use was significantly reduced. The airport then became a civilian facility, serving as an important international gateway for the Florida region. Today, it offers over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines, connecting Orlando to over 170 domestic and international destinations.
Orlando International Airport is overseen by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which also manages Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). MCO has become a major hub for several airlines, including Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Breeze Airways, and Spirit Airlines. It also serves as a focus city for JetBlue. The airport features North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet.
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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 in terms of land area. Covering 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) or 47 sq km (18.1 sq mi), it is the fifth-largest airport in the country by land area. MCO is also one of the busiest airports in the US, handling 57.2 million passengers in 2023, making it the second busiest international hub in the state of Florida and the ninth busiest airport in the country.
The airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, and is the primary international airport in the area. It 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. Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Breeze Airways are among the carriers that serve MCO, with Southwest being the busiest carrier at the airport.
MCO has four runways, with lengths ranging from 9,001 feet (2,744 meters) to 12,005 feet (3,659 meters), making it capable of handling widebody airliners. The airport also boasts North America's fourth-tallest control tower at 345 feet. The airfield was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility during World War II and was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. After the war, it was briefly used for glide tests of the Bell X-1 aircraft before being reactivated during the Korean War.
Orlando International Airport has been a significant contributor to the region's tourism industry, with its proximity to popular destinations such as Disney World and Universal attracting visitors from around the world. The airport has also implemented various initiatives to enhance the passenger experience, including being the first airport in Florida to accept E-Pass and SunPass toll transponders for parking payment in 2005.
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The airport is 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is conveniently situated just 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. This prime location makes it easily accessible for travellers heading to and from the city centre. With a total area of 47 square kilometres (18.1 square miles), it is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area. Not only is it spacious, but it is also a busy hub, serving over 57 million passengers in 2024, making it the second busiest international airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the entire United States.
The airport's IATA code, MCO, has an interesting history. It originates from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was a Strategic Air Command installation closed in 1975 after the Vietnam War. The base was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who tragically died during a bombing and navigation competition.
Orlando International Airport is a major gateway to the Florida region, offering over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines. These flights serve a vast network of over 170 domestic and international destinations, connecting Orlando to the world. The airport is also home to maintenance bases and operating bases for several airlines, including United Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
In addition to its role as a civilian airport, Orlando International Airport has a rich history rooted in military operations. It was originally constructed as an army airfield during World War II, known as Orlando Army Air Field #2 and later renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield. After a brief pause post-World War II, the airfield resumed operations during the Korean War, playing a strategic role in military aviation.
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It is the second busiest airport in Florida
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the second busiest airport in Florida as of 2025. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Covering 47 square kilometres (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 terms of land area in the country.
In 2024, the airport handled 57,211,628 passengers, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States. It serves as 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. Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier at MCO, and it is also a base for Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
The airport's IATA code, MCO, comes from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation closed in 1975 after the Vietnam War. The airfield was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility during World War II, when it was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. In 1958, it was renamed McCoy Air Force Base after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot killed during a bombing and navigation competition.
Orlando International Airport has North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet. The airport has been expanding and improving its facilities, deploying new technology, and enhancing the passenger experience. It was the first airport in Florida to accept E-Pass and SunPass toll transponders as a form of payment for parking in 2005.
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The airport is overseen by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA)
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is overseen by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). 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) and is the fifth-largest airport in the country.
The GOAA is governed by a board of seven members, including the Mayor of Orlando and the Mayor of Orange County, as well as five other appointees who are confirmed by the state senate. The airport's operations are managed by a Chief Executive Officer, appointed by the GOAA, who leads a team of approximately 800 full-time employees.
Orlando International Airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights serving over 170 domestic and international destinations. In 2024, the airport handled 57,211,628 passengers, making it the second busiest international airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States.
The airport's IATA code, MCO, originates from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was a Strategic Air Command installation closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The airfield was originally constructed for the U.S. military in the early 1940s and was known as Orlando Army Air Field #2, later renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in 1943.
Orlando International Airport is home to maintenance bases for several airlines, including United Airlines, and previously served as a hub for Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways. The airport has also implemented various initiatives to enhance the passenger experience, including the acceptance of E-Pass and SunPass toll transponders for parking payment, and it continues to be a significant aviation hub for the region.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
The airport became a joint base for both civilian and military flights in the 1960s.
One Jeff Fuqua Boulevard Orlando, FL 32827
Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. In 2024, it was the second busiest airport in Florida, serving 57,211,628 passengers.
The airport is a hub for Southwest Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue.
