Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is. Orlando International Airport provides a critical connection for people who have essential travel. Beyond that, by remaining open we help facilitate the delivery of cargo, U.S. mail, medical supplies and other necessary commercial products.

Like most airports across the country, we have seen a significant decrease in passenger traffic. Instead of nearly 1,000 daily commercial flights, we have just a few hundred. Currently, passenger traffic is down approximately 97 percent and we only have several thousand departing passengers daily.

Since the start of the Coronavirus threat, we created and maintained a robust cleaning schedule. In addition to routine cleaning measures like foggers and increased disinfecting measures, which we normally do during cold and flu season, we have focused on high-touch points. Cleaning crews have spent time scrubbing elevator buttons, handrails, chairs and other items and areas the traveling public are most likely to touch when they visit our facility. Airport personnel with customer facing duties are wearing cloth face masks and passengers will be encouraged to follow suit.

The Transportation Security Administration has created a nationwide website with the latest information about their employees that have tested positive for the Coronavirus. Visit tsa.gov/coronavirus for more information.

Many factors that go into making that decision. First is containment of the coronavirus, then a staged reopening of the Central Florida economy including messaging that Florida is once again safe and secure. To preserve the safety and security of Central Florida, new health protocols will be introduced into our daily lives at all public facilities including Orlando International and Orlando Executive airports. Airlines will begin to deploy aircraft as demand for leisure and business activities strengthens. We are working with our air carriers to coordinate re-deployment of air service to Orlando International when the contagion is brought to heel. All of these factors make it difficult to determine the precise time that we will re-open. It is important for us to follow the plans laid out by our Mayors because an early re-opening prior to bringing the coronavirus under control will be far more costly.

With more than 25,000 employees that work within our facility, there are a variety of airport employees and independent contractors that work on site. Decisions that affect employees vary depending on their employer. Some employees of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority are currently working remotely while others, those with essential on-site responsibilities, still report to the airport.

Funding for a large portion of the project was obtained before the Coronavirus affected the region. Construction activities are still underway. However, because demand for air travel has substantially diminished, we are reviewing our construction program to determine if all of the original project will be supported by future demand.

As a result of the downturn in passenger traffic, many of our concessions have closed. A limited number of stores and restaurants remain open to serve the essential needs travelers visiting our airport and the employees working in the main terminal.

Rental activities have been impacted, so we have designated nearly 170 acres of land on property to park rental cars currently not being used. By staging vehicles, we are positioned to be ready as soon as normal operations resume.

Yes, airline check-in services are available from 6:00 am to 2:15 pm for passengers flying to U.S. destinations on Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United, on level “R1” of the A and B parking garages and Level 3 of parking garage C. The complimentary service allows passengers to check their luggage (airline baggage fees apply) and receive boarding passes before even entering the terminal, as long as they check-in at least 90 minutes and no more than 4 hours prior to original flight departure time. The “A” Garage location is located on the west end and the “B” Garage location is on the east end (i.e. the ends nearest the entrance ramps). The “C” Garage location is at the entrance to the South APM Station.

Children under 18 years of age usually are not required to have a photo ID for domestic flights; however, as each airline has its own requirements, please contact your airline directly to confirm its ID requirement for minors. If you do need to obtain a photo ID for you or your child, they can be obtained from a number of suppliers.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure time, but please check directly with your airline for specific recommendations for your flight.

The airport is open 24 hours per day; however, each airline sets its own hours of operation which is dictated by its flight schedule, therefore please contact your airline directly to determine how early you may check-in for a flight.

If you require a wheelchair, please contact your airline in advance and they should be able to provide a wheelchair for your use within the airport. If you require one for the duration of your stay, please email Visit Orlando or visit their web site. They should be able to provide you with a list of companies offering such a service.

Skycaps are available to assist passengers. Typical services include curbside check-in, carrying baggage, wheelchair assistance, etc. Please contact your particular airline to arrange for assistance from its skycaps. It is customary to tip skycaps a few dollars for service provided.

In the Main Terminal passengers may use the elevators, escalators and moving walkways to minimize walking distances. The roll-on/roll-off APM (Automated People Mover [train]) then transports passengers between the Main Terminal and the Gates Areas. Golf carts are not available for transporting passengers. The minimum and maximum walking distance in each gate area are as follows:

Gates	Minimum	Maximum
Gates 1-29	515 feet/157 meters	812 feet/247 meters
Gates 30-59	479 feet/146 meters	903 feet/275 meters
Gates 70-99	467 feet/142 meters	944 feet/288 meters
Gates 100-129	200 feet/61 meters	600 feet/183 meters

You will only be allowed through the security checkpoint for the Gate Area from which you are departing. However, due to the configuration of the airport, it is possible to access either Gates 1-29 AND Gates 30-59, OR Gates 70-99 AND Gates 100-129 once you have passed through the security checkpoint for your gate.

Similarly on arrival, you may access either Gates 1-29 AND Gates 30-59, OR Gates 70-99 AND Gates 100-129 depending on the gate at which you arrive, by switching APMs (Automated People Movers [trains]) in the Main Terminal. If you wish to access the other Gate Area which is paired with yours, go directly to the other APM (train) as soon as you disembark the APM in the Main Terminal. Do not go past the security checkpoint and out into the Main Terminal otherwise you will NOT be allowed back through security to access the other Gate Area.

Please note that this may not be possible during certain times of the day for security reasons while international passengers are arriving in the terminal.

 

Terminal A and Terminal B are opposite sides of the same building, which is only 525 feet across. Crossing from the A-Side to the B-Side (or vice versa) can be done on Level 3 of the terminal building.  If you have descended to the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level (Level 2), you may return to the Departures Level (Level 3) with your baggage to cross to the other side.

Download the MCO Coloring Book and show your creative talents while waiting for your flight.

Orlando International Airport offers many ways to pass the time while waiting for your flight. In addition to the numerous shops, restaurants and bars in the Main Terminal and Gate Areas, the hotel atrium between the A-Side and the B-Side of the Main Terminal provides a very pleasant “city park” atmosphere where you can sit and watch the world go by. The terminal top parking garage is also one of the highest points around, and provides excellent views of the airfield, downtown Orlando, and the attractions, including the nightly fireworks displays.

Orlando International Airport offers live entertainment performances in the Main Terminal. See what’s happening during your visit on the Entertainment Calendar.

Wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) is available in all public areas of the airport and is provided free of charge. These Access Points provided by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) use the WiFi SSID “MCO Internet”. Other access points and peer-to-peer connections which may be listed as available networks are NOT provided by GOAA.

Please note that “personal hotspot” devices interfere with the airport’s free Wi-Fi and so if you experience poor performance on the airport “MCO Internet” SSID, please try moving to another location away from other passengers’ active devices, and please help us conserve bandwidth by turning off personal hotspots when not in use.

Cellular/PCS wireless is also available from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

There are also several kiosks which offer travelers internet connections, in addition to the standard dial service offered by the phone company via the RJ-11 jacks in the pay phones.

Orlando International Airport has five lounges for passenger use:

• American Airlines – Admirals Club Lounge
  • Gates 30-59
• Delta Air Lines – Sky Club Lounge
  • Gates 70-99
• United Club Lounge
  • Gates 30-59
• The Club at MCO Lounge
  • Gates 1-29
• The Club at MCO Lounge
  • Gates 70-99
• USO Welcome Center Lounge
  • Main Terminal, A-Side, Level 1

 

Orlando International Airport provides nursing rooms/Mamava nursing pods throughout the terminal buildings.

• Main Terminal:
  • Mamava Nursing Pod – B-side, Level 2, across from baggage claim carousel 24
• Gates 1-29:
  • Mamava Nursing Pod near entrance to gates 10-19
  • Nursing Room near gates 20-29
• Gates 30-59:
  • Mamava Nursing Pod near entrance to gates 30-39
• Gates 70-99:
  • Nursing Rooms on each concourse (Gates 70-79, 80-89, & 90-99)
• Gates 100-129:
  • Mamava Nursing Pod near entrance to gates 100-110
  • Nursing Room near gate 101
• South APM Station:
  • Nursing Rooms on floors 1, 3 and 5

Yes, the USO Welcome Center is a military-only lounge located in the Main Terminal, A-Side, Level 1. Our center caters to troops and military family members transiting through Orlando, providing a “home away from home” atmosphere where we convey the public’s appreciation for our military. Amenities include business stations with free Internet and e-mail access, TVs, gaming stations, a sleeping room, a children’s room and complimentary food and drinks. USO volunteers are on-hand to assist with travel arrangements and information on local services and to greet service members upon their return from overseas. Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.

As of July 1, 2003, in accordance with State law, Orlando International Airport became a non-smoking facility.

Orlando International Airport has an interfaith chapel inside the main terminal, located just beyond the west security checkpoint (Gates 1-59), which can be accessed by any passenger holding a boarding pass. There is also a reflection room located at Gates 70-99. Catholic mass is held every Sunday at 8:15 am and 12:00 pm in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport.

On completion of a “Use of Facilities Form”, aircraft spotting/photography is permitted on Level 9 of the Terminal Top Parking Garage (which provides a panoramic view of most of the airfield and aircraft gates) and the South Cell Phone Lot. The form must be completed in person, and accompanied by a valid photo I.D., between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), at the Public Affairs office, located on the 3rd level of the Main Terminal, A-Side, in the Aviation Authority Executive Offices (to the left of the Security Checkpoint for Gates 70-129).

Yes. Bicycle racks are provided on the A-Side of the Terminal, at the east end of the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1).

Please see the Parking page of our web site for a list of the parking options at Orlando International Airport.

The Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport is located inside the Main Terminal, above the Security Checkpoint for Gates 70-129.

Please see Local Hotels for a list of hotels offering free airport shuttles.

To determine on which side (A or B) of the Terminal your airline operates, please visit the Airlines page of our web site.

Private vehicles may drop domestic passengers off at the curbside check-in on the Departures Level (Level 3) on either the A-Side or B-Side of the Terminal. If you wish to park after dropping off passengers and luggage, follow signs to either Economy Parking or use the “Quick Park” ramp (located on the left, at the end of the Departures Curb) to access the Terminal Garage Parking.

Although dropping off passengers on the curb outside the Terminal is still permitted, vehicles may not be stationary unless actively unloading passengers and/or baggage, and under no circumstances may vehicles be left unattended.

Picking up passengers at the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Curb (Level 2) outside the A-Side or B-Side of the Terminal is permitted; however, vehicles may not be stationary unless actively loading passengers and/or baggage, and under no circumstances may vehicles be left unattended. Therefore please use the FREE! Cell Phone Lot and allow at least 20 minutes after aircraft arrival time (30 minutes if passenger has checked baggage) to allow for passengers to transfer to the Main Terminal, and exit the baggage claim area. To determine on which side of the Terminal (A or B) your airline operates, please visit the Airlines page of our web site.

Although only ticketed passengers are allowed through security and out to the gates, it is possible to have gate passes issued to non-travelers under certain circumstances. These are issued at the airline’s discretion, so please go to your airline’s ticket counter, provide a valid photo ID, and the airline will determine whether they are able to issue you a pass based on your particular circumstances.

There are a number of places which are recommended for meeting arriving passengers:

1. Under the Flight Information Display Boards near the Security Checkpoints for Gates 1-59 or 70-129
2. By the fountain in the Hotel Atrium, near the Security Checkpoint for Gates 70-129
3. In the baggage claim area for the airline being flown.  Please check here to determine which baggage claim is used by each airline
4. On the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Curb (Level 2) outside baggage claim (please note that cars may not be stationary in this area unless actively loading/unloading passengers and/or baggage, therefore please allow at least 20 minutes after aircraft arrival time to allow for passengers to transfer to the Main Terminal, and exit the baggage claim area)
5. In one of the restaurants or bars in the Main Terminal
6. In McCoy’s Bar & Grill, Hemispheres Restaurant, or the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport above the Security Checkpoint for Gates 70-129

Please see the Airport Terminal page or the Arrivals Guide on our web site to find these locations.

Please use our live flight information display, call 407-825-TIME (8463) or contact the airline directly to determine whether a specific flight has arrived.

Hold My Luggage operates on Level 1 of the B-side of the Main Terminal. They offer:

• Luggage pickup/return
• Luggage storage (same day or multiple days)
• Luggage transport services (hotel to hotel or city to city)

The customer signs a waiver of liability while the staff tag their bags, and gives the customer a claim ticket. The customer is then free to roam about the city luggage-free.

To retrieve luggage the customer can return to the desk on Level 1 of the B-Side, or have Hold My Luggage meet the customer at their airline check-in location.

They can be contacted at 321-888-0242.

Wrap N’ Fly operates on Level 1 on the A-Side of the Main Terminal, near the USO, from 6:00am-8:00pm. They can be contacted at 407-825-1529.

Hoverboards should not be placed in checked or carry-on baggage as most airlines have banned their carriage; however, they may be shipped by FedEx, UPS, etc.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now responsible for security checkpoints at all U.S. airports, therefore all checkpoint security related comments should be directed to the TSA at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov, at 1-866-289-9673, or via its web site at www.tsa.gov

Please contact your airline directly regarding your missing item(s) as directed on your ticket or baggage receipt. Claims for missing items may also be filed with theTransportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for the screening of passengers and baggage at all U.S. airports.

You may also file a report with the Orlando Police Department, which has jurisdiction over thefts which occur at the Orlando International Airport. This may be done by calling the Orlando Police Department Information Desk, which is available 24 hours per day, at (407) 246-2470.

Please see the TSA “Can I Bring” web site for details of permitted and prohibited items.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulates the importation of alcohol into the United States. For more information please see the CBP web site athttps://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/190/~/bringing-alcohol-%28including-homemade-wine%29-to-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) regulates the importation of animals and animal-derived materials to ensure that exotic animal and poultry diseases are not introduced into the United States. For more information please see the APHIS web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_anproducts.shtml

According to the US Department of Agriculture, the majority of milk products originating from countries affected with Foot and Mouth Diseases are prohibited; however, Plant Protection and Quarantine has been instructed to provide some exceptions including “Milk and milk products intended for use by infants or very young children are enterable (into the U.S.) if in a reasonable or small quantity for several days’ use”.

For more information on this topic please visit the Importations of Milk and Other Diary Products in the USDA Animal Product Manual.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site (www.cbp.gov), foreign visitors to the United States frequently confuse the state sales tax with value-added tax (VAT). The state sales tax is a small tax on purchases or services, calculated at the time of purchase, which the individual states assess and which the U.S. federal government neither determines nor receives. VAT, on the other hand, is a national tax commonly applied in foreign countries that is included in the actual sales price of an item. The United States does not have a VAT, and the federal government cannot refund state sales taxes. Some states do not charge tax on items shipped out of state, therefore please ask about sales-tax policies in the state where you make your purchases.

Dogs are not permitted in Orlando International Airport unless they are either working dogs, or they are in a carrier approved for traveling onboard an aircraft. Service Animal Relief Areas are available:

• Before security
  • Main Terminal, Level 2, “A”-Side: At the east end of the building (to the right as you exit the building)
  • Main Terminal, Level 2, “B”-Side: At the west end of the building (to the right as you exit the building)
• After security
  • Gates 1-29: On the wing for Gates 20-29
  • Gates 30-59: On the wing for Gates 40-49
  • Gates 70-99: On the wing for Gates 80-89
  • Gates 100-129: Across from Gate 121

Pets which are shipped rather than carried on-board the aircraft by a passenger are generally handled through the cargo facility for the airline, not in the passenger terminal, so please contact your airline or cargo handling company directly for details of where to drop-off/pick up your pet.

There are many companies that do this, including the airlines and cargo handling companies listed on our website, as well as AirAnimal, a company specializing in transporting pets.

Before traveling with a pet you should review the APHIS web site. If you are importing pets from another state, please review the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services web site.

The airport designator code “MCO” comes from the former McCoy Air Force Base, named after Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy, on which site, located at -81.08W 28.96 N, and at 113 feet (34 meters) above sea level, Orlando International Airport now stands.

The quickest way to get quotes for your charter is either call an aircraft charter company directly or call a broker that deals with charters. Any number of them will show up on an internet search for “Aircraft Charter.” The beauty of aircraft charter is that the company does not need to be based at your departure airport because the aircraft are constantly in use and widely distributed.

If you are in possession of a disabled parking permit, you may obtain a temporary permit for use in Florida during your stay. Permits are issued by the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles from their Motor Vehicle Services offices. The closest office to the airport is located at 8185 Lee Vista Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32829, telephone number (407) 836-4145, and is open Monday – Friday 8:30-5:00. To obtain a permit, you must:

• Be present at the office to provide your signature
• Have your out-of-state/country parking permit
• Have a letter from your doctor stating your need for a permit for the duration of your vacation
• Pay $15

Please contact Visit Orlando who should be able to provide you with a list of local companies offering such a service.

Applications must be completed online, but must be submitted for specific job opportunities which are currently open, as stated in the Application Procedure, which can be found on the web site, along with our current job postings. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority only recruits for the Aviation Authority, employment opportunities with the other organizations at Orlando International Airport, such as airlines, cleaners, concessions, parking, etc. are handled by each separate organization that must be contacted directly (see the Employment Guide for more details).

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the closest commercial airport to the world-famous Central Florida attractions (20 miles), the Orange County Convention Center (13 miles), International Drive (13 miles), downtown Orlando (12 miles), and so much more…

Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) is located near downtown Orlando, but is a general aviation airport and is not served by commercial airlines.

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is 33 miles from Orlando International Airport, and 60 miles from Disney World along SR 417 which takes you right past…… Orlando International Airport!

Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) is 62 miles from Orlando International Airport, and 75 miles from Disney World along I-95 and SR 528 which takes you right past…… Orlando International Airport!

Orlando International Airport (MCO) the airport that lands you closest to your final destination, wherever that happens to be in Orlando.

 

Please visit the Contact page of our web site.

Per FAA regulations, nobody may operate a UAS / drones of any type within 5 miles of an airport without first contacting the airport or the air traffic control tower. GOAA is working with the FAA and the industry to better serve all affected by these regulations. Please review the maps and links below before operating a UAS / drone.

FDOT UAS Web Site

FDOT UAS Brochure

Orlando International Airport (MCO) MCO 5-mile radius Contact: AirsideOpsSupv@goaa.org

Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) ORL 5-mile radius Contact: OEAops@goaa.org