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Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. Orlando International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres. It is also one of the busiest airports in the country, serving over 57 million passengers in 2024.
| 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 |
| Area | 47 sq. km (18.1 sq. mi) |
| Land Area | 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) |
| Ranking in Florida | Second busiest international hub as of 2025 |
| Ranking in the US | Ninth busiest airport as of 2024 |
| Passengers in 2024 | 57,211,628 |
| Operating Base | Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines |
| Focus City | JetBlue |
| Maintenance Base | United Airlines |
| Former Hubs | Delta Air Lines (until 2007), AirTran Airways (1993-2014) |
| Number of Employees | Approximately 800 full-time employees |
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What You'll Learn
- Orlando International Airport's IATA code, MCO, originates from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base
- MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area
- MCO is the second busiest international hub in Florida
- The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) manages MCO and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL)
- MCO has North America's fourth-tallest control tower
Orlando International Airport's IATA code, MCO, originates from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base
Orlando International Airport's IATA code is MCO. This code comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The final Air Force contingent departed McCoy AFB in 1975, and the airport gained its current name and international status in 1976. However, it retained its old IATA airport code, MCO, and ICAO airport code, KMCO.
Orlando International 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, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 square miles). It is also one of the busiest airports in the country, handling over 57 million passengers in 2024, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States. The airport serves as a hub for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, and is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines serving over 170 destinations.
Orlando International Airport has a rich history, dating back to the early 1940s when it was originally built for the U.S. military. During World War II, it was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield and played a role in testing the Bell X-1 aircraft. The airport became active again during the Korean War and was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in 1958 to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition.
In the 1960s, the airport transitioned to a joint base for both civilian and military flights. However, after the Vietnam War, the air force base was closed, and military use was significantly reduced. Today, Orlando International Airport continues to be a vital aviation hub, serving millions of passengers each year and contributing to the region's economic growth and connectivity.
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MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area. Covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) or 11,605 acres (4,696 ha), it is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area.
MCO is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport's code, MCO, comes from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation closed in 1975 after the Vietnam War. The airport gained its current name and international status in 1976 but retained the MCO code.
Orlando International Airport is a significant hub, serving as an operating base for several major airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. It is also a focus city for JetBlue. In 2024, the airport handled 57,211,628 passengers, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States.
The airport has an extensive history, initially constructed as a US Army Air Forces facility during World War II. It was known as Orlando Army Air Field #2 and later renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in 1943. After the war, the airfield was briefly inactive until it was reactivated during the Korean War. In 1958, it was renamed McCoy Air Force Base after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a pilot killed during a bombing and navigation competition.
Orlando International Airport has expanded over the years, with continuous improvements and new additions. It features North America's fourth-tallest control tower at 345 feet and has a large selection of restaurants, pubs, and shops. The airport is also well-known for its efficient design, making it easy for travellers to navigate.
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MCO is the second busiest international hub in Florida
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major international gateway to Central Florida. MCO is the second busiest international hub in Florida, with Miami International Airport taking the top spot.
MCO 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 11,605 acres (4,696 ha). It is also home to a maintenance base for United Airlines. The airport was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility and military operations began in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field #2. The airfield was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in January 1943 and was active during World War II. It was briefly placed in caretaker status after the war until it was reactivated during the Korean War.
In 1958, the airfield was renamed McCoy Air Force Base after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition. The airport code MCO is derived from this former name. The base was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War, and the airport gained its current name and international status in 1976.
MCO has seen a significant increase in passengers over the years, handling 5 million in 1978 and 47 million in 2018. As of 2024, it had served 57,211,628 passengers, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States. MCO is a popular airport, offering a large selection of restaurants and pubs, and serving as a major gateway to Florida, with over 1,000 daily flights to over 170 destinations.
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The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) manages MCO and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL)
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. In 2024, it was the busiest airport in the state, serving 57,211,628 passengers and ranking as the ninth busiest airport in the United States. The airport code MCO is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation closed in 1975 following the Vietnam War. Today, MCO serves as a hub for several airlines and is a major international gateway for Florida, offering over 1,000 daily flights to 170+ destinations.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established in 1975 as a state-chartered local governmental agency and an enterprise fund of the city of Orlando. GOAA is responsible for managing and overseeing expansions and improvements to both MCO and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). GOAA is governed by a board that includes the Mayor of Orlando, the Mayor of Orange County, and five other appointees confirmed by the state senate. The CEO, appointed by the Authority, manages the airports and leads a team of approximately 800 full-time employees.
Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) is located 8.29 miles from Orlando International Airport. It was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility and began military operations in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field #2, later renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in 1943. The airfield was active during World War II and the Korean War, briefly hosting glide tests for the Bell X-1 program before it moved to California for the first supersonic flight.
MCO, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi), is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States by land area. It features North America's fourth-tallest control tower at 345 feet and was a designated Space Shuttle emergency landing site. The airport has a significant presence of various airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. It also serves as a focus city for JetBlue. Southwest Airlines, following its merger with AirTran Airways, is currently the busiest carrier at MCO.
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MCO has North America's fourth-tallest control tower
Orlando International Airport (IATA: MCO, ICAO: KMCO, FAA LID: MCO) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation, that was closed in 1975 after the end of the Vietnam War. 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).
The airfield was originally constructed as a U.S. 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 known as Orlando Executive Airport. In January 1943, Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield. The airport became a joint base for both civilian and military flights in the 1960s.
Orlando International Airport 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. In 2024, it had 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in the state and the ninth busiest airport in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
MCO.
The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation, that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War.
MCO.
KMCO.
