Jazmin Li
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Covering 47 square kilometers, it is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States. With a rich history dating back to the 1940s, Orlando International Airport has become a significant aviation hub, accommodating numerous airlines and offering over 1,000 daily flights to domestic and international destinations.
| 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 |
| Area | 47 sq. km (18.1 sq. mi) or 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) |
| Number of Terminals | 3 |
| Number of Gates | 93 |
| Number of Passengers (2024) | 57,211,628 |
| Ranking in Florida | Second busiest international hub |
| Ranking in the USA | Ninth busiest airport |
| Operating Base for Airlines | Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines |
| Focus City for | JetBlue |
| Maintenance Base for | United Airlines |
| Former Name | McCoy Air Force Base |
| Control Tower Height | 345 feet (fourth tallest in North America) |
| Year of Construction | 1940s |
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What You'll Learn
Orlando International Airport's history
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, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi).
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 known as Orlando Executive Airport. In 1943, Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield. At the end of World War II, Pinecastle was used for glide tests of the Bell X-1 before the program moved to California for the world's first supersonic flight.
In 1962, an agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the US Air Force to use McCoy Air Force Base as a civil airport. The new civil facility would be known as the Orlando Jetport at McCoy and would operate alongside McCoy Air Force Base. In 1974, McCoy Air Force Base was closed, and the following year, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority was established to manage and oversee the construction and improvement of both Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport. In 1976, the airport received its current name and international status.
In 1978, construction of the current Landside Terminal and two Airsides on the west side of the terminal (known today as Airsides 1 and 3) began, opening in 1981. That same year, the airport handled 5 million passengers. The airport continued to expand throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with the addition of new terminals, parking garages, and other facilities. By 2018, the number of passengers had risen to 47 million, and in 2024, the airport had 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States.
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Terminals and gates
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) 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 (18.1 sq mi). The airport has three terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C (also known as the South Terminal Complex).
Terminal A consists of the northern half of the main terminal, with tramway systems providing access to Airside 1 (Gates 1–29) and Airside 2 (Gates 100–129). Terminal B makes up the southern half of the main terminal and offers connections to Airside 3 (Gates 30–59) and Airside 4 (Gates 70–99). Additionally, Terminal B provides access to Terminal C.
Terminal C, the South Terminal Complex, accommodates international flights by non-US airlines and all JetBlue flights. It includes gates 230–245 and is connected to Terminals A and B by a pre-security tramway. Terminal C is also linked to the Intermodal Terminal by an elevated enclosed walkway and a shared parking garage.
The North Terminal Complex, comprising Terminals A and B, features four airside concourses with a total of 93 gates. These concourses are accessible via elevated people movers from the main terminal building, which is divided into north and south sides.
Orlando International Airport serves as a hub for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. It is also a focus city for JetBlue, with Southwest Airlines being the largest carrier by passenger numbers.
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Airlines and flights
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary airport serving Orlando, Florida. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km or 10 km) southeast of downtown Orlando. 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) or 11,605 acres (4,696 ha). It is also the tallest, with North America's fourth-tallest control tower at 345 feet.
MCO has three terminals (Terminals A, B, and C) and 93 gates in total. Terminal A consists of the northern half of the main terminal, with tramway systems to Airside 1 (Gates 1–29) and Airside 2 (Gates 100–129). Terminal B makes up the southern half of the main terminal, with tramway systems to Airside 3 (Gates 30–59) and Airside 4 (Gates 70–99). Terminal C, also known as the South Terminal Complex, contains gates 230–245 and accommodates international flights by non-US airlines and all JetBlue flights. Terminal C is connected to the Intermodal Terminal by an elevated enclosed walkway and a shared parking garage.
Orlando International Airport serves as a hub for several airlines, including Silver Airways, Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier by the number of passengers. The airport also serves as a focus city for JetBlue. In 2023, the airport handled 57,735,726 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States.
MCO offers over 1,000 daily flights to more than 170 domestic and international destinations. The top 5 destinations from MCO are Atlanta, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Juan. The airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region and also serves as a significant inbound gateway for cruise line passengers departing from Port Canaveral. Orlando International Airport is easily accessible from downtown Orlando by bus, with a travel time of around 40 minutes.
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Orlando Executive Airport
The airport was originally opened in 1928 as Orlando Municipal Airport, the first commercial airport in central Florida. The following year, the United States Postal Service started an airmail service to Orlando. In 1940, the United States Army Air Corps took control of the airport, renaming it the Orlando Army Air Base, and it remained under military control for the next six years. In 1941, the Army Air Corps became the United States Army Air Forces, and the airport was used by I Bomber Command and later by units of the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command (AAFAC).
In 1942, the airfield became the Orlando Army Air Field #2, an auxiliary airfield to the Orlando Army Air Base, which is now known as the Orlando Executive Airport. The Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in 1943. After the end of World War II, Pinecastle was briefly used for glide tests of the Bell X-1 before the program moved to California. In 1947, with the establishment of an independent U.S. Air Force, the airfield was placed in caretaker status until being reactivated during the Korean War.
In 1976, the City of Orlando transferred ownership and operational responsibilities of the airport to the GOAA, which renamed it to Orlando Executive Airport in 1982. Today, the airport covers 967 acres of land and has two asphalt runways. It is used for special aviation events and showcases, and it served as the receiving site for the majority of Special Olympic Athletes during the largest non-military human airlift in the US.
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Passenger experience
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving over 57 million passengers annually. The airport spans 47 square kilometres and is one of the largest commercial airports in the country in terms of land area. With its central location in Florida and proximity to major attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, it is a popular choice for many travellers.
MCO offers a range of amenities to enhance the passenger experience, including dining, shopping, and lounges. The airport also features a Hyatt Regency hotel located within the terminal, providing convenient accommodation for travellers. MCO has three terminals: the North Terminal Complex, consisting of a large main terminal building divided into north and south sides (Terminals A and B), and Terminal C, which focuses on international flights.
To improve wayfinding and engage travellers, MCO has implemented a digital ecosystem with 1,231 high-definition displays. This includes "The Orlando Experience," a design concept featuring characters like Annie the Astronaut and Fred the Fish, that aims to entertain and inform passengers while instilling a sense of calm and comfort. The airport also provides a mobile app, which offers helpful information on terminal navigation, security checkpoint wait times, and ground transportation options.
For ground transportation, MCO offers various options, including buses, ride-shares, shuttles, taxis, and trains. Licensed taxi stands can be found at designated locations in Terminals A, B, and C, while rideshare apps like Uber, Lyft, or Wingz pick up passengers at the Arrivals area. The airport also provides several parking areas to accommodate different traveller needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Orlando International Airport (MCO).
6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida.
It is the second busiest international hub in the state of Florida, with 57,211,628 passengers in 2024.
