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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. Orlando International Airport serves over 57 million passengers annually, making it the busiest airport in Florida. The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Orlando International Airport |
| Airport Code | MCO |
| Location | Orlando, Florida, USA |
| Address | 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando, FL 32827 |
| Phone Number | 407-825-2352 |
| Website | flymco.com |
| Distance from Orlando | 6 miles (9.5-9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando |
| Land Area | 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) or 47 sq km (18.1 sq mi) |
| Number of Terminals | 2 (Main Terminal with A and B sides, and Terminal C) |
| Number of Concourses | 4 |
| Number of Destinations Served | 91 domestic and 59 international |
| Number of Passengers | 57 million+ annually |
| Ranking | Busiest airport in Florida, 7th busiest in the U.S., 9th busiest in North America |
| Airlines | Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, AirTran Airways, Emirates, Aer Lingus, British Airways |
| Amenities | Dining, shopping, lounges, Hyatt Regency hotel |
| Ground Transportation | Buses, ride-shares, shuttles, taxis, trains |
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What You'll Learn
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is conveniently located just 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. With its central position in the state, it is a popular airport for travellers visiting Florida's major leisure attractions, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres (or 11,605 acres). The airport has two terminals: the North Terminal Complex and the recently constructed Terminal C, which is found to the south. The main terminal is split into two sides, A and B, for airline ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, and parking. Various amenities are available, including dining, shopping, and lounges.
MCO serves as a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines, serving 91 domestic and 59 international destinations. In 2024, the airport handled 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida and the seventh or ninth busiest in the United States. Ground transportation to and from the airport is efficient, with options including buses, ride-shares, shuttles, taxis, and trains.
The airport's code, MCO, originates from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation that closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The airfield was first constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility, with military operations beginning in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field #2, an auxiliary airfield to what is now known as Orlando Executive Airport.
Today, MCO is home to a maintenance base for United Airlines, and serves as an operating base for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier at the airport and, along with JetBlue, has a strong focus on the airport.
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MCO is the busiest airport in Florida
Orlando International Airport, or 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. MCO is the primary international airport in Florida and is the busiest airport in the state.
MCO is the ninth busiest airport in the United States, serving over 57 million passengers in 2024. The airport is a major international gateway for the region, with over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines, serving over 170 domestic and international destinations. MCO is also the first airport in Florida to accept E-Pass and SunPass toll transponders as a form of payment for parking.
The airport's code, MCO, comes from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. Today, MCO serves as an operating base for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier at MCO and is the airport's largest carrier by passengers carried.
MCO has North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet. The airport was also a designated Space Shuttle emergency landing site. The west-side runways, Runway 18L/36R and Runway 18R/36L, were designed for B-52 Stratofortress bombers and are in close proximity to NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center.
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MCO has 2 terminals, with 4 airside concourses
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport 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 features a main terminal building with 2 sides (A and B) and a separate Terminal C. MCO has 4 airside concourses where flights depart. Each concourse is connected to the terminal by an automated people mover.
Concourse 1 of Terminal A caters to international flights, while Concourse 2 is for domestic flights. Concourse 1 serves gates 1 to 29 and is accessible by passing through the western security checkpoint and riding the automated people mover. It has several shops, including duty-free, and restaurants, as well as an XpresSpa and the Club at MCO Lounge.
Concourse 2 serves domestic flights and is located on the southern part of the North Terminal Complex. It has tramway systems to Airside 3 (Gates 30-59) and Airside 4 (Gates 70-99).
Concourse 3 deals with domestic flights, while Concourse 4 operates international flights.
MCO offers various amenities, including dining, shopping, and lounges. It also has a prominent art program with exhibits throughout the main terminal and airside concourses. The airport offers ground transportation options such as buses, ride-shares, shuttles, taxis, and trains, connecting Orlando and beyond.
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MCO has North America's fourth-tallest control tower
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport 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 one of the largest commercial airports in terms of land area in the country.
MCO boasts North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet. The tower replaced two earlier Air Force and FAA control towers. When it opened on September 15, 2002, it was North America's tallest ATCT. Designed by Radian International LLC and constructed by Hensel Phelps in conjunction with FAA designers, the $28.7 million project began in February 2000. The tower replaced a 206-foot tower built in the early 1980s.
The new tower allowed MCO to expand, as air traffic controllers could see further from their higher vantage point. After the expansion, Orlando International Airport became one of the busiest airports in the United States. Today, the tower is the 15th tallest ATCT in the world.
MCO was the first airport in Florida to accept E-Pass and SunPass toll transponders as a form of payment for parking. It is also 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.
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MCO serves as a hub for several airlines
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major airline hub located in Central Florida, 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando. It is the ninth busiest airport in the United States, serving 57,211,628 passengers in 2024. MCO is the airport code that comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 after the Vietnam War.
The airport offers a range of services and amenities for travellers, including lounges, family restrooms, nursing rooms, a fitness centre, dining options, and shopping. It also has the necessary infrastructure to support various airlines' operations, such as maintenance bases and terminals designed for specific carriers.
In the past, other airlines have also operated hubs at MCO. For example, Delta Air Lines operated a hub from 1987 to 2007, and AirTran Airways had a hub at MCO from 1993 until it merged with Southwest Airlines in 2014. The airport has also attracted international carriers such as Emirates, which began daily service to Dubai International Airport in 2015.
MCO's convenient location and high passenger traffic make it an attractive option for airlines looking to expand their operations in the region. The airport's efficient operations and focus on passenger comfort contribute to its popularity among carriers and travellers alike.
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Frequently asked questions
MCO airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida.
MCO airport is short for Orlando International Airport.
MCO airport covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area.
MCO airport is the busiest airport in Florida, serving over 57 million passengers annually.
