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Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area. The airport's official code, MCO, is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in 1975 and transformed into the civilian airport known today. The airport was originally named Pinecastle Army Airfield, a US military airfield constructed in the early 1940s, and renamed in 1958 to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, who died in a flight demonstration.
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What You'll Learn
- Orlando Airport's official code is MCO, not OIA
- MCO derives from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base
- McCoy Air Force Base was renamed in 1958 to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy
- Orlando Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area
- The airport is a hub for several airlines, including Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines
Orlando Airport's official code is MCO, not OIA
Orlando International Airport's official code is MCO, not OIA. The airport was originally a military base called Pinecastle Army Airfield, which was constructed to serve the US military during World War II and the Korean War. In 1958, the airfield was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in honour of Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, who died in a flight demonstration.
The airport gained its current name in 1976, a year after the McCoy Air Force Base was decommissioned and transformed into a civilian airport. Despite the name change, the airport code remained MCO, in tribute to Colonel McCoy. The airport's MCO designation is rooted in its military past, with the base name McCoy forming the basis of the code.
OIA is not a suitable alternative code for Orlando International Airport as it is already in use by another airport. OIA stands for Ourilândia do Norte Airport, an airport in Brazil that is now closed. Airport codes are designated by the International Air Transport Association, a trade group for the air travel industry that governs airport policies. Each three-letter designation is unique to an airport for convenience and ease of communication.
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, handling over 57 million passengers in 2022. The airport serves as a central hub for various airlines and is a major international gateway for the Florida region.
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MCO derives from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base
Orlando International Airport's IATA code is MCO, which is derived from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base. The airport was originally constructed as a US Army Air Forces facility, and military operations began in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field #2. In January 1943, it was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield, serving as a crucial US military airfield during World War II and the Korean War.
In 1958, the airfield was renamed McCoy Air Force Base to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who died during a bombing and navigation competition. The airport transitioned to a civilian and military facility after the Vietnam War, gaining international status in 1976. Despite the name change, the airport code MCO was retained to commemorate Colonel McCoy.
McCoy Air Force Base was decommissioned in 1975 as part of a general military drawdown following the Vietnam War. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was then established to manage and oversee expansions to the airport, which became known as Orlando International Airport.
Today, Orlando International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 11,605 acres (4,696 hectares). It is a significant international gateway for Florida, serving over 170 domestic and international destinations. With its central location, the airport is within a two-hour drive of more than 60% of Florida's population, contributing to the region's dynamic economic growth.
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McCoy Air Force Base was renamed in 1958 to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy
Orlando International Airport, also known by the airport code MCO, was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility. Military operations began in 1942, and the airfield was initially named Orlando Army Air Field #2. In January 1943, it was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield, and after the establishment of an independent U.S. Air Force in 1947, the airfield was briefly placed in caretaker status.
On 9 October 1957, Colonel McCoy was killed in the crash of a B-47 Stratojet of the 447th Bombardment Squadron, 321st Bombardment Wing. The aircraft 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. At the time of his death, McCoy was the commander of the 321st Bombardment Wing, and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
In memory of Colonel McCoy, Pinecastle AFB was renamed McCoy Air Force Base on 7 May 1958. Formal dedication ceremonies were held on 21 May 1958, and an estimated 30,000 Floridians attended. The airport code MCO is derived from the former name of the airport, McCoy Air Force Base, and it continues to be recognised by this code today.
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Orlando Airport 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. The airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida.
The airport's history dates back to 1942 when it was constructed as a US Army Air Forces facility, originally named Orlando Army Air Field #2. In 1958, it was renamed McCoy, in honour of Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy. In 1975, the airport's name changed to Orlando International Airport, but it retained its old IATA airport code MCO, which was derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
Orlando International Airport has seen significant growth over the years. In 1978, the airport handled 5 million passengers, and by 2018, that number had increased to 47 million. In 2024, it served 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States. 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.
The airport has four runways, with the longest being 12,005 feet (3,659 meters) in length. It features a large lobby area, convention space, bars, restaurants, and an interfaith chapel. MCO also offers various amenities for travellers, including duty-free stores, currency exchange, luggage storage, free Wi-Fi, pet relief areas, a spa, and showers.
Orlando International Airport is a significant hub for several airlines, including Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. It has been recognised as one of the busiest airports in the US and has ample room for future expansions.
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The airport is a hub for several airlines, including Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major hub for several airlines, including Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines. The airport, located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi). With over 57 million passengers in 2024, it is the busiest airport in the state and the ninth busiest in the country.
MCO serves as an important base for several airlines. Southwest Airlines, which merged with AirTran Airways in 2014, is the busiest carrier at the airport. The airline has shifted the bulk of its international services to Orlando, citing improved connectivity and operational efficiency. As a result, MCO has become a significant hub for Southwest Airlines, with nearly 140 daily departures.
Spirit Airlines also has a notable presence at Orlando International Airport. The airline operates arrivals at Terminal A and departures at Terminal B. Terminal A serves as an operational hub for Spirit Airlines at MCO, offering budget-friendly flights and convenient services for travellers.
In addition to Southwest and Spirit, other airlines that utilise MCO as a hub include Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and JetBlue, for which MCO is a focus city. The airport is also a major international gateway, offering over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines serving 170 domestic and international destinations.
Orlando International Airport has a rich history, originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility during World War II. The airport's code, MCO, is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. Today, MCO boasts North America's fourth-tallest control tower and is a vital transportation hub for the region.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was decommissioned and closed in 1975.
McCoy Air Force Base was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, who died in a flight demonstration or bombing and navigation competition.
The airport became Orlando International Airport in 1976, retaining the MCO code in tribute to Colonel McCoy.
Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling over 57 million passengers in 2024. It is also one of the largest commercial airports in the country in terms of land area.
Orlando International Airport offers various facilities and services, including duty-free stores, currency exchange, luggage storage, free Wi-Fi, pet relief areas, a spa, showers, and multiple transportation options.
