Florida's busiest gateway serving theme park capital of the world.
Opened
1976
Location
Orlando, United States
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest airport in Florida and one of the busiest in the United States, consistently handling over 50 million passengers annually in pre-pandemic years. It serves as a major gateway for tourists visiting Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and other Central Florida attractions.
The airport is operated by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and features a unique landside-airside terminal design connected by an automated people mover system. A major expansion, Terminal C, opened in September 2022, significantly increasing the airport's capacity and international handling capabilities.
MCO's IATA code traces back to its former identity as McCoy Air Force Base, which closed in 1975 and was converted to civilian aviation use. Its central Florida location and extensive route network make it one of the most visited airports in the country.
Terminals
The airport uses a landside main terminal with four airside terminals (1, 2, 3, and 4/Terminal C) connected via automated people movers.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include the SunRail commuter rail connection, Brightline high-speed rail service to Miami, hotel shuttles, taxis, rideshares, and rental cars.
Airlines here
Major carriers include Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, with numerous international carriers also operating services.
Notable facts
- ›MCO stands for McCoy, referencing the former McCoy Air Force Base on which the airport was built.
- ›Terminal C opened in September 2022, adding capacity for up to 12 million additional passengers per year.
- ›The airport served approximately 50 million passengers in 2019, ranking it among the top 10 busiest U.S. airports.
- ›Brightline's Orlando station at MCO opened in 2023, providing intercity rail service to South Florida.
- ›The automated people mover connecting the landside terminal to airside terminals is a distinctive feature of the airport's design.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
