Roberta Aguirre
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major airport in the United States, located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the country in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres. MCO is the primary international airport in Orlando and serves as a hub for several major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, the airport's largest carrier by passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Orlando International Airport |
| Airport Code | MCO |
| Location | 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, US |
| Area | 47 sq. km (18.1 sq. mi) or 11,605 acres (4,696 ha) |
| Control Tower Height | 345 feet (North America's 4th tallest) |
| Number of Employees | Approximately 800 full-time employees |
| Number of 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 (1993-2014), Allegiant Air (from 2024), Emirates (from 2015), Saudi Arabian Airlines (1994-2001) |
| Roads | SR 528 (Beachline Expressway), SR 417 (Central Florida GreeneWay) |
| Address | One Jeff Fuqua Boulevard Orlando, FL 32827 |
| Phone Number | (407) 825-2001 |
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What You'll Learn
MCO is one of the largest US commercial airports by land area
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 hectares) or 47 square kilometres (18.1 square miles), it is the fifth-largest airport in the country by land area.
MCO is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport's code, MCO, originates from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation closed in 1975 following the Vietnam War. The airport became internationally recognised in 1976, retaining its old IATA airport code, MCO.
Orlando International Airport is a significant hub for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier at MCO, and the airport also serves as a focus city for JetBlue. In 2024, the airport handled 57,211,628 passengers, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States.
MCO boasts North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet. The airport features an extensive range of facilities, including a hotel with convention space, bars, and restaurants. Additionally, an interfaith chapel was constructed behind the security area for Gates 1-59.
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The airport code MCO comes from McCoy Air Force Base
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. In 2024, it served 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in the state and the ninth busiest airport in the United States.
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 as part of a general military drawdown following the end of the Vietnam War.
McCoy Air Force Base was named for Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy (1905-1957) on May 7, 1958. Seven months earlier, on October 9, 1957, McCoy was killed in the crash of a B-47 Stratojet of the 447th Bombardment Squadron, 321st Bombardment Wing. The six-engine bomber suffered wing failure northwest of downtown Orlando while taking part in a practice demonstration during the annual Strategic Air Command Bombing Navigation and Reconnaissance Competition at Pinecastle Air Force Base.
McCoy Air Force Base was a busy installation, serving as a temporary forward operating base for more than 120 F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief fighter bombers during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. Following the crisis, it hosted a permanent U-2 operating detachment of the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing until 1973.
After the closure of McCoy Air Force Base in 1975, the site was redeveloped and is known today as Orlando International Airport. The airport retained the base's original FAA LID airport code of MCO (McCoy) and ICAO airport code of KMCO.
Today, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is among the busiest commercial airports in the world, serving as a major international gateway for the Florida region. Over thirty airlines serve the airport, offering over 1,000 daily flights to more than 170 domestic and international destinations.
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MCO is the second busiest international hub in Florida
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the second busiest international hub in Florida as of 2025, with Miami International Airport taking the top spot. MCO is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport's IATA code, MCO, 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 name also honours Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition.
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). It is home to a maintenance base for United Airlines and was a hub for Delta Air Lines until 2007. The airport has North America's fourth-tallest control tower at 345 feet. MCO 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 1978, the airport handled 5 million passengers, and by 2018, that number had risen to 47 million. In 2024, MCO accommodated 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States. Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier at MCO and is the airport's largest carrier by passengers carried. Other airlines using MCO as an operating base include Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. JetBlue also uses the airport as a focus city.
MCO 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 what is now known as Orlando Executive Airport. During World War II, the airfield was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield and was briefly used for glide tests of the Bell X-1. After the war, the airfield was placed in caretaker status until it was reactivated during the Korean War. In 1958, it was renamed McCoy Air Force Base, and in the 1960s, it became a joint base for both civilian and military flights.
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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. 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). It is also one of the busiest airports in the country, with over 57 million passengers in 2024, making it the ninth busiest airport in the US that year.
Prior to the opening of the new tower, MCO consisted of two towers: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tower and the US Air Force (USAF) control tower. The FAA tower was demolished, and the USAF tower suspended operations upon the inauguration of the new facility.
MCO 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 what is now Orlando Executive Airport. The airfield was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in January 1943 and was briefly used for unpowered glide tests of the Bell X-1 after World War II. The airport's code, MCO, comes from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the Vietnam War.
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MCO 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 located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. In 2024, it was the busiest airport in Florida, serving 57,211,628 passengers, and the ninth busiest airport in the United States.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is governed by a seven-member board, including the mayor of Orlando and the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. The other five members are appointed by the Governor of Florida and confirmed by the Senate. The CEO, who is appointed by the Authority, manages the airport and leads a staff of over 1,000 employees.
The GOAA has a clear vision for the future of MCO, which is among the world's busiest airports by passenger volume. The 1.8 million-square-foot Terminal C will be the largest terminal project by size upon its completion. MCO is also home to a maintenance base for United Airlines and was a hub for Delta Air Lines until 2007.
The GOAA has approved several developments to meet the region's growing need for aerospace innovation. For example, the GOAA Board recently approved a lease agreement with Sky Harbour to build a state-of-the-art facility within the south campus area of the Orlando Executive Airport. Additionally, MCO will expand Terminal C to accommodate 16 to 24 additional aircraft gates.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
Orlando International Airport.
MCO is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, United States.
MCO covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi), making it one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area.
