One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
SFB8.4+1.0
MCO7.4
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
SFB7.1+0.3
MCO6.8
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
SFB6.9
MCO7.6+0.7
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
SFB6.4
MCO6.8+0.4
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
SFB6.3
MCO6.8+0.5
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
SFB2.0
MCO7.0+5.0
Best for
SFB
Allegiant leisure trips that actually land at Sanford, not MCOTravelers who will rent or ride from the Red Cleveland curbDomestic departures that can follow the official 2-hour clock
MCO
Theme-park and cruise tripsTravelers who book MCO Reserve or hold PreCheckFamilies using Annie's SpaceSit-down food on Airside 4
Watch out for
SFB
No passenger lounge and no CLEAR — Royal Palm closed January 2023Lynx Link 46E died 11 January 2026; official pages list no city busEast sit-down (Hollerbach’s / Nature’s Table) is still stamped under constructionBermudAir Bermuda / Belize and Allegiant BOS / PVD / GFK are future stamps, not today’s boardYou are not at MCO and not at Naval Air Station Sanford
MCO
West and east airsides do not connect without reclearing TSABrightline is South Florida rail, not downtown OrlandoPriority Pass Club visits cap at 2.5 hoursAfternoon thunderstorm delays are routine
Amenities and tips
SFB
One TSA, then Gates 1–16 on one walkNo passenger loungeWest-wing food after TSA; east sit-down unfinishedSFB-Public Wi-Fi, no passwordSunflower lanyards and airline wheelchairsTicketless parking; pickup across Red Cleveland
Arrive 2–3.5 hours early — TSA hours are unpublished
Official FAQ and summer banner: two hours for US flights, three and a half when you leave the country. Official pages do not print checkpoint clock hours or a wait tile.
One TSA, then walk 1–16 — A and B are labels, not reclears
Check-in and bags are Level 1. One upstairs checkpoint. Gates 1–4 east, 5–9 center, 10–16 west are the same sterile walk.
Eat west after TSA; treat east sit-down as under construction
West wing: Zaza, Sanford Tap, Sanford Market between Gates 10–12. Landside Brew Landing is by bags 1–2.
MCO
LYNX busMCO ReserveAnnie's SpaceThe Club MCOAirside dining
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+.
West and east airsides do not connect
Gates 1–59 and 70–129 are separate secured areas. Crossing them means reclearing TSA.
Eat in the terminal before a PP lounge
The Club is light food. Plaza Premium extra-charges the menu and alcohol on Priority Pass.
SFB · Sanford put 3,166,417 people through one TSA in 2025: easy when you use the 2-hour clock, eat on the west wing, and accept that the Royal Palm lounge is gone and there is still no walk-up city bus.
MCO · 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.
