Ruth Haines
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 converted into the civilian airport known today. The airport was originally constructed as a US Army Air Forces facility during World War II and was 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 was originally a military base
- The airport's code is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base
- The airfield was renamed in 1958 to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy
- Orlando International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the US
- The airport is the busiest in Florida and the fourth-busiest in the US
Orlando Airport was originally a military base
Orlando International Airport, or MCO, was originally a military base. The airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, is where the airport code MCO originates. The base was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War and the general military drawdown. The final Air Force contingent left 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.
The airfield was initially 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 the Orlando Army Air Base, now known as Orlando Executive Airport. In January 1943, Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield. During World War II, Pinecastle was briefly used for unpowered glide tests of the Bell X-1 from B-29 aircraft before the program moved to California for the world's first supersonic flight.
With the establishment of an independent U.S. Air Force in 1947, the airfield was placed in caretaker status until it was reactivated during the Korean War as a Strategic Air Command. In 1958, the airport was renamed McCoy to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy. In 1962, an agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the U.S. Air Force to convert McCoy AFB into a civil-military airport, with the new civil facility known as the Orlando Jetport at McCoy. This agreement set a precedent for other joint civil-military airports.
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 ha). It is the primary international airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. In 2024, it was the busiest airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States, serving over 57 million passengers.
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The airport's code is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Covering 47 square kilometres, it is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area.
The airport code MCO is derived from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base. 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 January 1943, Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield.
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 transitioned from a military to a civilian and military facility post-Vietnam War, gaining international status in 1976, though it retained the MCO code in tribute to Colonel McCoy.
McCoy Air Force Base was decommissioned in 1975 as part of a general military drawdown following the end of the Vietnam War. The final Air Force contingent departed in 1975, and the airport became known as Orlando International Airport in 1976. Despite the name change, the airport code remains MCO, honouring the former name and Colonel McCoy.
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The airfield was renamed in 1958 to honour Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy
The Orlando International Airport, also known as MCO, was originally constructed as a US Army Air Forces facility during World War II. It was initially named Orlando Army Air Field #2. In January 1943, it was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield, serving as a crucial resource for the US military during World War II and the Korean War.
In 1958, the airfield underwent another renaming, this time to honour and commemorate Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot. Colonel McCoy tragically lost his life during a bombing and navigation competition, also described as a flight demonstration. The renaming reflected the airfield's transition to McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation.
Following the end of the Vietnam War, there was a general military drawdown, and in 1975, McCoy Air Force Base closed. The base was decommissioned and transformed into the civilian airport we know today. In 1976, the airport was officially renamed Orlando International Airport, reflecting its new status and focus on passenger service.
Despite the name change, the airport code MCO was retained as a tribute to Colonel McCoy. This code is derived from the former name, McCoy Air Force Base, honouring the memory of the colonel and the airfield's military past. The use of MCO continues to be a significant aspect of the airport's identity, even as it adapts to the evolving dynamics of aviation and travel.
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Orlando International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in the US
Orlando International Airport, also known by its IATA code MCO, is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States. The airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Orlando International Airport covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. It is also one of the largest commercial airports in terms of land area, spanning 11,605 acres (4,696 ha).
The airport's IATA code, MCO, originates from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. In 1976, the airport gained its current name and international status, but retained its original IATA and ICAO airport codes.
Orlando International Airport is a significant international gateway to the Florida region. The airport handles over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines, serving over 170 domestic and international destinations. In 2024, it accommodated 57,211,628 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States. The airport is also recognised as the busiest in Florida and sixth busiest in the USA by passenger traffic.
Orlando International Airport has North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet. The airport features four runways, with the longest being 10,181 feet (3,103 meters) in length. These runways are capable of accommodating widebody airliners, including TUI's twin-aisle Boeing 787 aircraft.
The airport offers various amenities for travellers, including duty-free stores, currency exchange, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi. Additionally, it provides pet relief areas, a spa, showers, and alternative transportation options.
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The airport is the busiest in Florida and the fourth-busiest in the US
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest airport in Florida and one of the busiest in the United States. In 2023, it was ranked as the nation's 7th busiest airport by Airports Council International – North America, seeing 57 million passengers and a 15.1% increase from the previous year. It is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, covering 47 square kilometers (18.1 sq mi).
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. The airport serves as an operating base for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the busiest carrier at MCO, while JetBlue uses the airport as a focus city.
The airport's location, just 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, makes it a convenient option for travellers. Additionally, MCO offers a range of amenities, including duty-free stores, currency exchange, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi. The airport also has a mobile app that facilitates the passport control process for arriving passengers.
MCO has a rich history, initially constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility during World War II. In 1958, the airport was renamed McCoy, commemorating Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy. Despite its current name of Orlando International Airport, the airport code MCO has been retained from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in 1975 and transformed into the civilian airport known today. The airport was renamed in 1958 to commemorate Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy.
The airfield was originally Pinecastle Army Airfield, a US military airfield constructed in the early 1940s.
The airport is now known as Orlando International Airport.
