Roberta Aguirre
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a busy airport in Florida, USA. It is one of the largest commercial airports in the country in terms of land area. The airport has a rich history, having first been constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility during World War II. Today, it is a bustling airport with multiple terminals, concourses, and gates serving a high volume of passengers and flights each year. Orlando International Airport has received mixed reviews, with some praising its convenient parking and transport options, while others criticise its customer service and long wait times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Orlando International Airport |
| IATA | MCO |
| ICAO | KMCO |
| FAA LID | MCO |
| Location | 6 miles (9.5-9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida |
| Land Area | 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) |
| Number of Terminals | 3 (North Terminal Complex, Terminal C, Main Terminal) |
| Number of Concourses | 4 |
| Number of Gates | 99 (1-29, 100-129, 30-59, 70-99) |
| Number of Destinations | 135 (91 domestic, 44 international) |
| Number of Daily Flights | 850 |
| Number of Annual Passengers | 57 million |
| Busiest Airport Ranking in Florida | 1st |
| Busiest Airport Ranking in the U.S. | 7th |
| Operating Base for Airlines | Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines |
| Focus City for Airlines | JetBlue |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the largest commercial airports in the US
MCO has two terminals: the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C, which is located south of the airport property. The main terminal is divided into two sides, A and B, for airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking. The facilities span three floors, with airline ticketing on level 3, baggage claim on levels 2 and 3, and ground transportation on level 1. A food court and shops can be found on level 3.
Orlando International Airport has an interesting history, with its roots in military aviation. The airfield was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility, and military operations commenced in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field #2, an auxiliary airfield to what is now known as Orlando Executive Airport. The airport was later renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in January 1943. After World War II, the airfield was briefly placed in caretaker status before being reactivated during the Korean War as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation.
In the early 1960s, Orlando experienced a shift towards civil aviation, with jet airline flights requiring longer and sturdier runways than those at Herndon Airport (the former name for Orlando Executive Airport). An agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the United States Air Force in 1962 to utilise McCoy Air Force Base (AFB) under a joint civil-military arrangement. This marked the beginning of what we know today as Orlando International Airport, with airline flights commencing in October 1961.
Airport X-Rays: Are They Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
MCO has 2 terminals, the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is Florida's busiest airport and the seventh busiest airport in the United States. It is located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. MCO has 2 terminals: the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C. The North Terminal Complex is further divided into the A and B sides for airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking. The facilities span 3 floors, with airline ticketing on level 3, baggage claim on levels 2 and 3, and ground transportation on level 1. The east and west sides of the terminal have a security checkpoint that leads to 4 airside concourses where flights depart. Concourse 1, which is northwest of the main terminal, serves mostly domestic flights from gates 1 to 29. Concourse 2, which is northeast of the main terminal, serves domestic flights from gates 100 to 129. The North Terminal Complex also features an on-site Hyatt Regency hotel, which is located on the east side of the Terminal A/B complex. The hotel has a fourth-floor lobby, and guest rooms are located on level 5 and above.
Terminal C is a newly constructed terminal located south of the airport's property. It focuses on international flights with carriers such as Aer Lingus, British Airways, Emirates, and others. Terminal C has TSA security checkpoints, including a TSA PreCheck lane, and offers various amenities, including dining, shopping, and lounges. Parking Garage C is the closest to Terminal C, and passengers can also access other parking options such as Valet Parking and the Economy Lots. Shuttle bus services are available 24 hours a day, and passengers can get to Terminal B by catching a shuttle bus at Level 1 of Terminal C.
Avignon, France: Airport Accessibility and Travel Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
MCO serves over 57 million passengers annually
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a bustling hub of activity, serving over 57 million passengers annually. With its central location in Florida and proximity to popular destinations such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, it's no surprise that MCO is a popular choice for travellers from all over the world.
MCO's vast size contributes to its high passenger volume. Spanning 11,605 acres, it is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area. The airport features two terminals, the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C, located south of the airport's property. The main terminal is divided into two sides, A and B, each offering airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking options.
Passengers at MCO have a range of ground transportation options, including buses, ride-sharing services, shuttles, taxis, and trains, making it convenient to travel to and from the airport. The airport also has a range of amenities, including shops and restaurants, to cater to the diverse needs of its millions of annual visitors.
MCO's history is just as fascinating as its present-day operations. The airfield was originally constructed as an army air forces facility during World War II, known as Orlando Army Air Field #2. After the war, it was briefly used for glide tests of the Bell X-1 before being reactivated during the Korean War. In the early 1960s, jet airline flights arrived in Orlando, and the airport became a joint civil-military facility, accommodating early jetliners with longer runways.
Today, MCO is a bustling and modern airport, serving as a gateway to the Florida region. With over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines servicing 135 domestic and international destinations, it's no wonder that MCO is such a popular and well-utilised airport.
Airports' Retail Therapy: Who's Behind the Stores?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport is 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international 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, spanning 11,605 acres. The airport is a major gateway to the Florida region, serving over 57 million passengers annually and offering over 850 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations.
The airport's history dates back to the early 1960s when jet airline flights came to Orlando. An agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the US Air Force to utilise McCoy Air Force Base, leading to the development of the Orlando Jetport at McCoy. The airport's code, MCO, is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was closed in the 1970s following the Vietnam War.
Orlando International Airport features a main terminal complex with two sides, A and B, and a separate Terminal C located south of the airport property. The facilities span three floors, with airline ticketing on Level 3, baggage claim on Levels 2 and 3, and ground transportation on Level 1. Passengers can find a food court and various shops on Level 3.
Concourse 1, accessible from the main terminal, serves mostly domestic flights from gates 1 to 29. It offers shops, restaurants, and services such as XpresSpa and the Club at MCO Lounge. Concourse 2, located northeast of the main terminal, serves domestic flights from gates 100 to 129. Concourse 3, southwest of the main terminal, mirrors the layout of Concourse 1 and serves domestic flights from gates 30 to 59. Concourse 4 operates primarily domestic flights from gates 70 to 99 and boasts a range of restaurants and shops, including duty-free options.
Santa Fe Airport: A Small Hub With Big Plans
You may want to see also
Explore related products
MCO is the former McCoy Air Force Base
Orlando International Airport (MCO) was formerly known as McCoy Air Force Base. The airport's IATA, ICAO, and FAA LID codes, MCO, are derived from its former name. The airport is located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, and is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, spanning 11,605 acres.
McCoy Air Force Base (1940–1947, 1951–1975) was a former U.S. Air Force installation located 10 miles southeast of Orlando, Florida. It served as a training base during World War II and was renamed in 1958 after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, commander of the 321st Bombardment Wing, who died in a plane crash at the base in 1958. From 1951 until its closure in 1975, McCoy AFB was a frontline Strategic Air Command (SAC) base during the Cold War and Vietnam War.
McCoy AFB was identified for closure in 1973 as part of a post-Vietnam reduction in force, and most of the facility was turned over to the city of Orlando in late 1974 and early to mid-1975. The airfield was briefly placed in caretaker status after World War II until it was reactivated during the Korean War as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, McCoy AFB served as a temporary forward operating base for over 120 fighter bombers and the primary base for U-2 reconnaissance aircraft flying over Cuba.
In the early 1960s, the Orlando Herndon Airport began providing commercial jet service, but its shorter runways could not safely accommodate the new Boeing 707, Convair 880, and Douglas DC-8 jets. In contrast, McCoy AFB's two 12,000-foot runways were more than capable of handling these aircraft. As a result, an agreement was reached in 1962 between the Air Force and the City of Orlando for the joint use of one of the runways and the conversion of two former AGM-28 Hound Dog missile storage hangars into a passenger air terminal. This joint civil-military arrangement became a model for other airports.
Today, Orlando International Airport is among the busiest commercial airports in the world, serving over 19 million passengers in 2021 and offering hundreds of daily flights to destinations worldwide.
Traveling with Jewelry: Claire's Rings and Airport Security
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
MCO. The airport code stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
Orlando Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 11,605 acres.
Orlando Airport has 2 terminals: the North Terminal Complex and Terminal C. The main terminal is split into sides A and B for airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking.
Orlando Airport is the busiest airport in Florida and the seventh busiest in the United States, serving over 57 million passengers annually.
