Orlando International Airport (MCO)

The Orlando International Airport is a major public facility situated 10 kilometers SE of the central business district of Orlando, Florida.

It went by the name of McCoy Air Force Base, which was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation. The code for the Airport is MCO, which stands for the base's former name.

The base was shut down in 1975 as part of a more significant military drawdown that followed the conclusion of the Vietnam War.

Orlando is one of the busiest airports in the United States in 2021, having handled 19,612,255 passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in the world as well.

It is busier than Miami International Airport, which recorded 17,347,798 passengers in the same year.

Some of Orlando's busiest routes as of February 2022 include Atlanta, Georgia, Newark, New Jersey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Denver, Colorado, Charlotte, North Carolina, Detroit, Michigan, and Baltimore, Maryland.

In 2019, its frequently flown international destination were London–Gatwick, United Kingdom, Toronto, Canada, Panama City, Panama, Manchester, United Kingdom, Mexico City, Mexico, Bogotá, Colombia, Montréal, Canada, Frankfurt, Germany, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Brazil, and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The airfield opened in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field # 2, an auxiliary facility to Orlando Army Air Base, now Orlando Executive Airport.

At the end of World War II, Pinecastle was used for unpowered glide tests of the Bell X-1 from B-29 aircraft before the program moved to Muroc Army Airfield in California, now Edwards Air Force Base.

When the U.S. Air Force became independent in 1947, MCO was put on caretaker status until the Korean War, when it was reactivated as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility for B-47 Stratojets and KC-97 Stratofreighters and renamed Pinecastle Air Force Base.

The base started hosting SAC's Bombing and Navigation Competition in the 1950s.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, McCoy Air Force Base became a temporary forward operating base for more than 120 F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief fighter bombers.

In 1974, Orlando International Airport was recognized as the nation's fastest-growing Airport and established as a Foreign Trade Zone.

Although it became an international airport in 1976, the Airport has continued to use its previous IATA airport code, which is MCO.

MCO and the surrounding area were incorporated into the city of Orlando in 1982, resulting in a 23 percent increase in the town's size.

The Airport received the "Airports Are For The People" award in 1994 in recognition of its exceptional commitment to the satisfaction of its passengers.

The year 1998 saw the addition of 6,100 parking spots at the Airport and the construction of a Quick Park access ramp and the South Terminal Complex.

Since the opening of Runway 17L/35R in 2003, four runways have been available at the Airport.

The year 2005 marks the debut of several innovative technologies, including the electronic garage parking payment system E-Pass, the CLEAR registered traveler program with biometrics, the 511 Travel Information voice-activated phone system, and complimentary Wi-Fi wireless public internet access.

In 2010, MCO broke the record for the most international passengers handled at the Airport, with over 2 million travelers. That same year, the airport recycling program known as GROW expanded to encompass passenger areas.

Orlando is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County. It is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area, with a population of more than 2.5 million.

It may be best known for Disney World and Universal, but it's also known for many more. Orlando is a popular destination for many leisurely activities and events. Some people come to the area for vacations, but others head here on business.

This central Florida region attracts around 60 million visitors annually, who come for the warm climate, the world-famous theme parks, the shopping malls, the golf courses, and the nightlife.

One of the reasons that Orlando, Florida, is so popular with tourists is because it has a lot of recreational and event-based activities.

Please visit our Attractions Page to learn more about some of the best outdoor activities in Orlando.

In Orlando, the summers are long, hot, oppressive, wet, and mostly cloudy, and the winters are short, cool, and partly cloudy. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 52°F to 91°F and is rarely below 39°F or above 94°F.

The best times of year to visit Orlando for general outdoor tourist activities are from mid-March to mid-May and from mid-October to early December, with a peak score in the third week of April.

The hot season lasts for 4.4 months, from May 15 to September 28, with an average daily high temperature above 87°F. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 90°F and a low of 75°F.

The cool season lasts for 2.7 months, from December 4 to February 25, with an average daily high temperature below 74°F. Orlando's coldest month is January, with an average low of 52°F and a high of 71°F.

Passengers at the Orlando International Airport have access to various amenities and services.

In addition to services such as baggage claim, the Airport offers a variety of shopping options, including convenience stores and several restaurants.

It also provides restrooms, ATMs, free Wi-Fi, and ground transportation options.

Orlando International Airport has state-of-the-art systems to ensure that its customers can get to where they need to go quickly, safely, and efficiently.

These include rental cars, taxis, rideshares, shuttles, public buses, and trains.

MCO has one main building divided into two main terminals: A and B. Terminal A is connected to Airside 1 and 2, and Terminal B is connected to Airside 3 and 4.

As of June 2022, Terminal C is more than 80 percent constructed, with substantial completion scheduled for 2022. Once operational, the new terminal's 15 gates will accommodate up to 20 aircraft and an additional 10-12 million passengers annually.

This facility covers an area of 12,600 acres and has four runways and a helipad. It sits 29 meters above sea level at 28°25′46″N and 81°18′32″W in the city of Orlando, Florida.

Transfer Services at Orlando International Airport

Rental cars, taxis, ridesharing services, shuttles, and public buses are good ways to get to and from MCO by land.

From this Airport, passengers can connect to the nearest rail services provided by SunRail and Amtrak.

Passengers can plan their transfer options to prevent transit delays.

Additionally, they should only conduct business at airport counters for their safety.

Rental Car Services at Orlando International Airport

The on-airport rental car companies are in Terminal A and Terminal B, Level 1 (Ground Transportation).

Orlando International Airport offers airline check-in services on level "R1" of the parking garages where rental cars are returned. See and compare all rental car companies at Orlando International Airport.

Passengers may contact the car rental company for more information.

Ride Shares at Orlando International Airport

Passengers can reserve rideshare by downloading the Rideshare app and coordinating directly with their driver. They can also request a ride a few days before their flight to avoid the inconvenience.

Uber, Lyft, and Wingz are the authorized rideshare service providers that operate from Orlando International Airport.

Drop-off is at the departures curb level 3, and pick-ups are from the arrivals curb level 2.

Taxis at Orlando International Airport

Taxis are available in Terminal A and B Ground Transportation Centers. See more information about taxis at Orlando International Airport.

From MCO to downtown Orlando, the average cost for a one-way trip is approximately $80.00.

Trains at Orlando International Airport

Passengers can depart/arrive on SunRail services at Sand Lake Road SunRail station.

There is no direct connection from Debary SunRail Station to Orlando Airport. You can take a Lynx bus to the railway. More information about train services near Orlando International Airport.

The trip is approximately 15 minutes from the SunRail Sand Lake Road Station to Orlando International Airport.

Buses at Orlando International Airport

Lynx and Greyhound buses are available at the facility. More information about buses to and from Orlando International Airport.

Hotel Shuttle Services at Orlando International Airport

Many hotels in Orlando provide shuttle services. Passengers may confirm with their local hotel if this is available at their accommodation.

Shuttle services pick up and drop off passengers at the Ground Transportation Center of the airport.

Parking at Orlando International Airport

MCO provides several convenient and affordable parking options for its customers in Terminals A and B.

The service is available 24 hours a day. Shuttle buses connect the parking areas in Terminals A and B.

Free parking is provided for vehicles with specialized mobility equipment, those displaying the State of Florida Toll Exemption Permit, or with a disabled veteran plate. See more information about short and long term parking at Orlando International Airport.

Wi-Fi at Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport provides free wireless internet access throughout the terminal. Please connect to "MCO Internet,”

Hotels

Orlando is a fantastic travel destination for all types of tourists. However, locating a hotel can be challenging. The abundance of hotels in the area makes it difficult to choose where to stay while visiting the city.

If you're planning a trip to Orlando, Florida, and want a hotel that will suit your needs, this article is for you.

On our Hotels page, we provide a quick run of some of the hotels in the area and other amenities as well as information about the city.

Attractions

In this article, we will feature some of the different attractions in Orlando, Florida. We could just give you a list of the types of attractions.

Instead, we will discuss some attributes that make up these objects and explain why they are so popular among tourists. See a selection of tourist attractions in and around Orlando, Florida.