Skip to content

Airports Lounges Trip

All airports

Airportist Score

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

Guide

Alternatives

Nearby airports

HonestAirport

Directory Compare TSA tips Terms Privacy

Airportist Scores and guides are editorial content. Always verify live rules, terminals, and operational alerts with official airport and airline sources.

All airports

MCOKMCO

Orlando International Airport

Orlando, US

Airportist Score

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

MCOGuide

Alternatives

Nearby airports

MCOKMCONormal

Orlando International Airport

Orlando, United States · North America

Florida's busiest airport: two North Terminal security islands, a separate Terminal C, a useful free Reserve lane, and lounges that are fine if you already hold the right key — not a reason to arrive early for the buffet.

Airportist Score

7.1/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.4
Comfort & amenities6.8
Food & retail7.6
Ground access6.8
Reliability6.8
Lounges7.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare MCO with another airport

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

MCOGuide

Alternatives

Nearby airports

All airports Official site

MCOKMCONormal

Orlando International Airport

Orlando, United States · North America

Florida's busiest airport: two North Terminal security islands, a separate Terminal C, a useful free Reserve lane, and lounges that are fine if you already hold the right key — not a reason to arrive early for the buffet.

Airportist Score

7.1/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.4
Comfort & amenities6.8
Food & retail7.6
Ground access6.8
Reliability6.8
Lounges7.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare MCO with another airport

Typical security
12 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
25-50 min
Taxi / rideshare
Cheapest to city
LYNX bus
$ · 45-90 min
Lounges
6
1 rated worth it
On time
75%
of departures
Terminals
North Terminal A/B + Terminal C

10 photos

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

ORLOrlando Executive Airport
Orlando
13 km
ISMKissimmee Gateway Airport
Orlando
20 km
SFBOrlando Sanford International Airport
Orlando
39 km
TIXSpace Coast Regional Airport
Titusville
51 km
GIFWinter Haven's Gilbert Airport
Winter Haven
60 km
COIMerritt Island Airport
Merritt Island
62 km

Compare MCO vs SFB

ORLOrlando Executive Airport
Orlando
13 km
ISMKissimmee Gateway Airport
Orlando
20 km
SFBOrlando Sanford International Airport
Orlando
6.739 km
TIXSpace Coast Regional Airport
Titusville
51 km
GIFWinter Haven's Gilbert Airport
Winter Haven
60 km
COIMerritt Island Airport
Merritt Island
62 km

MCOGuide

MCOGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Book MCO Reserve if you lack PreCheck

Free dedicated lane at A, B, and C, up to 7 days ahead — only for travelers without PreCheck or CLEAR+.

A/B slots 5:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. for 6:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. departures; Terminal C 5:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. for 6:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. departures. Official advice remains two hours before departure.

Terminal

West and east airsides do not connect

Gates 1–59 and 70–129 are separate secured areas. Crossing them means reclearing TSA.

Gate Links only pair 1–29 with 30–59, and 70–99 with 100–129. Terminal C is a third island; the Terminal Link is about four minutes, then you screen again.

Food

Eat in the terminal before a PP lounge

The Club is light food. Plaza Premium extra-charges the menu and alcohol on Priority Pass.

Bahama Breeze Island Grille on Airside 4 is still on the brand location list. Do not pay a Plaza Premium walk-up expecting a complimentary buffet.

Status

Airline clubs beat The Club if you hold the key

Admirals Club, United Club, and Delta Sky Club are the better rooms. DragonPass only covers Plaza Premium on the live MCO page.

Priority Pass / LoungeKey open The Club (A and B) and Plaza Premium (C). Live DragonPass A10863 lists only Plaza Premium N03155. US Amex Platinum has direct Plaza Premium access with a 3-hour stay.

Live conditions

Right now at MCO

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Theme-park and cruise trips
Travelers who book MCO Reserve or hold PreCheck
Families using Annie's Space
Sit-down food on Airside 4

Watch out for

West and east airsides do not connect without reclearing TSA
Brightline is South Florida rail, not downtown Orlando
Priority Pass Club visits cap at 2.5 hours
Afternoon thunderstorm delays are routine

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

7.4

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

6.8

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.6

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.8

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

7.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

57,675,573

Terminals

North Terminal A/B + Terminal C

On-time departures

75%

Typical security

12 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for MCO.

Updated Oct 12, 2026

North Terminal A/B are two sides of one building: west security serves Gates 1–59; east security serves Gates 70–129. Terminal C is separate (C230–C245 and expansion C250–C254).
57,675,573 passengers in calendar 2025 (GOAA) — busiest airport in Florida.
No downtown Orlando rail. LYNX bus $2.00 / $4.50 all-day from Terminal A Level 1 (A38–A41). Brightline at Terminal C serves South Florida, not downtown.
MCO Reserve is a free timed security slot for travelers without TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+, bookable up to 7 days ahead.
Four runways; longest 18L/36R is 12,005 × 200 ft. Field elevation 96 ft (FAA).
Official advice is two hours before departure; live checkpoint waits fluctuate by island.

14 official sources

https://flymco.com/
https://flymco.com/security/
https://www.flymco.com/mcoreserve/
https://flymco.com/ground-transportation/
https://flymco.com/ground-transportation/local-bus/
https://www.flymco.com/parking-information/parking-garage-a/
https://www.flymco.com/parking-reservations/north-park-place-economy-lot/
https://flymco.com/connect-transfer/domestic-connections/
https://flymco.com/train-service/
https://flymco.com/accessibility/annies-space-sensory-room/
https://flymco.com/elevatingmco/current-projects/terminal-c-expansion/
https://assets.ctfassets.net/qiecpoxp4bka/5crs0kyLlhBn5hIXbjGsZZ/c4221959a7eca759c477c47b8a9a4300/MCO-Fact-Sheet-2026v2.pdf
https://www.golynx.com/fares-passes/
https://www.gobrightline.com/train-stations/fl/orlando

Full guide

Explore the MCO guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Orlando International Airport, the Orlando city center, and 3 other airports in the city
City center3 other airports
View Map
Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Taxi / rideshareCheapest: LYNX bus
View Getting There
Lounges
6 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts. 1 rated worth it.
Delta Sky Club
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
If you do not have PreCheck or CLEAR+, book MCO Reserve as soon as your window opens — it is a dedicated lane, not a skip-the-scan pass.
10 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
5 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
LYNX busMCO ReserveAnnie's Space
View Amenities
Water
Where to refill for free, and where a bottle costs the least airside.
2 spots2 free or refill
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

🌤️18°C / 64°F

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 09:59 EDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Oct 21, 13:59 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.