Orlando is a vibrant city in the U.S. state of Florida featuring sunny weather, entertainment venues, theme parks, and other attractions. It is one of the favorite tourist destinations.
The city is also home to some of the busiest international airports in the United States including Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Besides, there are various other smaller airports in the region.
In this article, we will explore all the airports in Orlando, and also provide you with a travel guide to assist you in navigating through the city’s airport structure. So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What are the major airports in Orlando?
Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) are the two primary international airports in Orlando, Florida. These two airports are served by several passenger, and cargo airlines connecting the city to domestic, and international destinations.
Other airports in the city of Orlando include Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). These airports primarily serve business and corporate aviation. In addition, you can find several other private, and public-use airports in, and nearby Orlando.
Now, let’s explore these airports in detail.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando Int’l Airport (ICAO: KMCO, IATA: MCO, FAA LID: MCO) is one of the two primary commercial airports in Orlando. It is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Florida and serves the Greater Orlando region. MCO is owned, and operated by Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
MCO Airport is the major hub for Silver Airways, and also the focus airport for Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
More than 20 commercial passenger airlines, and 5 cargo carriers operate regular flights to and from MCO connecting to several domestic, and international destinations.
MCO Airport Infrastructure
Orlando Int’l Airport covers a total area of 12,600 acres (5,100 ha) which makes it one of the largest commercial airports in the United States. Located at an elevation of 96 ft (29 m) AMSL, the airport features four runways: RWY 17L/35R, RWY 17R/35L, RWY 18L/36R, and RWY 18R/36L, and a Helipad H1.
| RUNWAYS/HELIPAD AT MCO | LENGTH | SURFACE |
| RWY 17L/35R | 9,001 ft (2,743 m) | Concrete |
| RWY 17R/35L | 10,000 ft (3,048 m) | Concrete |
| RWY 18L/36R | 12,005 ft (3,659 m) | Asphalt/Concrete |
| RWY 18R/36L | 12,004 ft (3,659 m) | Concrete |
| Helipad H1 | 44 ft (13 m) | Concrete |
The airport infrastructure holds three terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C. Terminals A & B are made up of three Levels (1, 2, & 3) equipped with baggage claim, ground transportation, gates, and other terminal facilities. Terminal C holds Level 1, Level 2, Level 4, and Level 6.
Terminal A
Level 1
- Lost & Found
- Baggage Claim 8A – Virgin Atlantic
- Luggage Wrapping (Wrap ‘n Fly), Stroller/Pushchair Rental (Wrap ‘n Fly)
- Buses – Lynx (City bus)
- On Airport Rental Car Agencies – Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty
- Off-Airport Rental Car Agencies
- Taxi, Towncar, Limousine, Shuttles – Mears
- USO Welcome Center
Level 2
- Baggage Claim Carousels 1-16
- Starbucks
- Ride Share (Uber, Lyft, and Wingz)
- Service Animal Relief Area
Level 3
| AIRLINES IN LEVEL 3 (TERMINAL A) | TICKETING COUNTER | GATES |
| Air Transat | A-2 | 70-99 |
| Alaska Airlines | A-2 | 100-129 |
| Avelo Airlines | A-3 | 100-129 |
| Avianca | A-2 | 70-99 |
| Breeze Airways | A-1 | 30-59 |
| Copa Airlines | A-2 | 70-99 |
| Frontier Airlines | A-2 | 1-29 70-99 (Int’l Arrivals) |
| Miami Air | A-2 | 1-29 |
| Southwest Airlines | A-4 | 100-129 |
| Spirit Airlines (International) | A-1 | 1-29 (Departures) 70-99 (Arrivals) |
| Virgin Atlantic | A-3 | 70-99 |
Terminal B
Level 1
- Baggage Claim 28B – Emirates
- Baggage Storage (Hold My Luggage), Stroller/Pushchair Rental (Hold My Luggage)
- Starbucks
- Buses
- Resort Transportation – Universal SuperStar Shuttle
- On Airport Rental Car Agencies – Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty
- Off-Airport Rental Car Agencies
- Taxi, Towncar, Limousine, Shuttles – Mears
Level 2
- Baggage Claim Carousels 20-32
- TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center (near baggage claim 23)
- Ride Share (Uber, Lyft, and Wingz)
- Service Animal Relief Area
- Nursing Pod (near baggage claim 24)
Level 3
| AIRLINES IN LEVEL 3 (TERMINAL B) | TICKETING COUNTER | GATES |
| AeroMexico | B-3 | 70-99 |
| Air Canada/Rogue | B-3 | 70-99 |
| American Airlines | B-2 | 30-59 |
| Bahamasair | B-4 | 70-99 |
| Delta Air Lines | B-4 | 70-99 |
| LATAM | B-4 | 70-99 |
| Silver Airways | B-1 | 1-29 |
| Spirit Airlines(Domestic) | B-1 | 1-29 |
| Sun Country Airlines | B-4 | 70-99 |
| United Airlines | B-1 | 30-59 |
| Volaris | B-3 | 70-99 |
| WestJet | B-3 | 70-99 |
Terminal C
Level 1
- Lost & Found
- Orlando Police Department
- TSA Pre-Check Enrollment Center
- Nursing Room
- Parking Shuttles
- Resort Transportation
- Out-of-Town Shuttles
Level 2
| AIRLINES IN LEVEL 2 (TERMINAL C) | TICKETING COUNTER | GATES |
| Aer Lingus | C17 | C240-C245 |
| Azul Airlines | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| British Airways | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| Caribbean | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| Emirates | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| Eurowings Discover | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| GOL | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| Icelandair | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| JetBlue | C17 | C230-C245 |
| Lynx Air | C17 | C240-C245 |
| Norse | C14-C16 | C240-C245 |
| Sunwing | C14-C16 | C230-C238 |
Level 4
- Bridge to Garage C
- Bridge to Ground Transportation Facility
- On Airport Rental Car Agencies – Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty
- Eola Market
- Nursing Room
Level 6
- Customs & Immigration
- Meet & Greet Area
- Barnie’s Coffee & Tea, Gatlin Trade, Starbucks
- Ride Share (Uber, Lyft, and Wingz)
Airlines Operating at MCO Airport
As the biggest, and busiest airport in the U.S. state of Florida, Orlando International Airport is served by lots of domestic, and foreign carriers.
The major airlines operating out of MCO airport are mentioned below.
U.S. Airlines at MCO – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines.
International Airlines at MCO – Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada/Rouge, Air Transat, Avianca, Azul Airlines, Bahamasair, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, Emirates, Eurowings Discover, GOL, Icelandair, LATAM Airlines, Lynx Air, Norse, Redway, Sunwing Airlines, Swoop, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris, and Westjet.
These airlines operate flights to major destinations in the U.S., Canada, European, and Middle Eastern regions. For full information on destinations covered, you can visit the airport’s official website.
Related: JetBlue Terminal at MCO
American Airlines MCO Terminal
MCO Airport Travel Tips
Here are the important travel tips you can follow when at MCO airport for a seamless travel experience.
- Arrive Early: It is always recommended to arrive early at the airport to avoid any last-minute stress. It is better if you arrive at least 3 hours before your departure so that, you get enough time for check-in, security screening, and getting to the boarding area.
- Use TSA PreCheck: If you’re a frequent flyer or a member of the TSA PreCheck program, make sure to use the designated lanes at security to save time.
- Check your flight stats: It is also important to check flight status before leaving for the airport because there might be updates and changes. You can check your flight status by accessing the airport’s website, or your airline’s official site.
- Shop & Dine at MCO: Orlando Int’l Airport offers various dining, and shopping options. You can enjoy food, and beverages as well as purchase various goods. Take some time to explore the airport and indulge in some retail therapy or a nice meal before your flight.
- Enjoy Airport Amenities: The airport offers a range of amenities, such as lounges, charging stations, and baggage storage. Make sure to take advantage of these amenities to make your airport experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
- Ground Transportation: Hotel Shuttles, Local Bus, Ride Sharing Service, Taxi Cabs, Shuttle Vans, and SunRail facilities are available at the MCO Airport.
If you are traveling with your pets, make sure you are following the pet travel policies of the respective airlines. For detailed information on pet travel policies, you can refer to the following articles.
- American Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- Delta Air Lines Pet Travel Policy
- Frontier Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- JetBlue Pet Travel Policy
- Southwest Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- Spirit Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- United Airlines Pet Travel Policy
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Orlando Sanford Int’l Airport (ICAO: KSFB, IATA: SFB, FAA LID: SFB) is the secondary commercial airport in Orlando after the Orlando International Airport (MCO). The airport is owned by Sanford Airport Authority, and operated by Airports Worldwide, Inc.
SFB Airport is situated at an elevation of 55 ft (17 m) AMSL, and is the focus city for Allegiant Air. The airport serves flights to several domestic destinations, and limited international routes.
SFB Airport Infrastructure
Sanford Airport occupies a total area of 3,000 acres (1,214 ha), and features four runways: RWY 9L/27R, RWY 9C/27C, RWY 9R/27L, and RWY 18/36.
| SFB RUNWAYS | DIMENSION | SURFACE |
| RWY 9L/27R | 11,002 ft. by 150 ft. | Asphalt |
| RWY 9C/27C | 3,578 ft. by 75 ft. | Asphalt |
| RWY 9R/27L | 5,839 ft. by 75 ft. | Asphalt |
| RWY 18/36 | 6,002 ft. by 150 ft. | Asphalt/Concrete |
The airport is equipped with a terminal building with Level 1, and Level 2 featuring boarding gates, baggage claim section, restaurants, an information booth, check-in counters, rental car lots, and other basic terminal facilities.
Shopping Options – Hudson News, World Duty Free, Discover Orlando Sanford, KidsWorks, Vacant, Indulgences, and Gallerie.
Food Options – Sanford Market, Cafe Ritazza, Budweiser Tap Room, American Grill, Port Paradise, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Zaza, Cinnabon, and Jetbox.
SFB Airport Terminal Facilities
- Baggage Service
- TSA Security Screening
- Lost & Found
- Dining & Shopping Options
- Wi-Fi Service
- Family Travel & Special Needs
- Pet Relief Area
- Restrooms
- Smoking Deck
- Rental Car Lots
Nursing Pod - Information Booth
- Airport Parking
- Ground Transportation
- Ticketing/Check-in
- ATM
- Wheelchair Service, and more.
Airlines Operating at SFB Airport
In comparison to the Orlando International Airport (MCO), a limited number of airlines operate at Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB).
Allegiant Air, Flair Airlines, Swoop, and Sun Country Airlines are the four major carriers connecting SFB with various destinations.
| AIRLINES AT SFB AIRPORT | DESTINATIONS |
| Allegiant Air | Akron/Canton, Albany, Allentown, Appleton, Asheville, Austin, Bangor, Belleville/St. Louis, Bloomington/Normal, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charlotte/Concord, Chattanooga, Chicago/Rockford, Cincinnati, Clarksburg, Columbus–Rickenbacker, Dayton, Des Moines, Elmira, Evansville, Fayetteville/Bentonville, Flint, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Gulfport/Biloxi, Hagerstown, Harrisburg, Huntington, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Key West, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Lexington, Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Owensboro, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Plattsburgh, Portsmouth, Provo, Richmond, Roanoke, Rochester (NY), San Antonio, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Springfield/Branson, Syracuse, Toledo, Tri-Cities (TN), and Tulsa Seasonal Routes: Bismarck, El Paso, Fargo, Grand Forks, McAllen, Moline/Quad Cities, Nashville, Rapid City, Shreveport, Traverse City, and Wichita |
| Flair Airlines | Halifax (Nova Scotia), Kitchener-Waterloo, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto |
| Swoop | Edmonton, Hamilton (Ontario), London (Ontario), and Toronto |
| Sun Country Airlines | Seasonal/Charter Flights only |
SFB Airport Travel Tips
Here are some important tips to consider when traveling via Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB).
- Plan ahead: It’s always a good idea to plan your trip in advance, especially when it comes to airport travel. Make sure to check your flight status, review the airport’s layout and amenities, and allow ample time for check-in, security screening, and boarding.
- Arrive early: Orlando Sanford International Airport recommends arriving at least two hours before your scheduled departure time to allow time for check-in, security screening, and any unforeseen delays.
- Know what you can and can’t bring: Before you pack your bags, make sure you know what items are allowed and prohibited on your flight. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict guidelines on liquids, gels, and other items that can be brought on a plane.
- Carry necessary documents: Make sure you have all necessary travel documents such as your passport, visa, or ID card. You should also bring your boarding pass and any other travel documents required by your airline.
- Consider parking options: Orlando Sanford International Airport offers a range of parking options, including short-term, long-term, and economy parking. Consider which option works best for you and reserve your spot in advance if possible.
- Ground Transportation Options: SFB Airport offers various ground transportation facilities such as Rental Cars, Taxis, shuttles, and ride-sharing services (Uber and Lyft).
- Utilize airport amenities: Orlando Sanford International Airport offers a range of amenities, including dining options, shopping, and free Wi-Fi. Take advantage of these amenities to make your travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable.
Orlando Executive Airport (OEA)
Orlando Executive Airport (ICAO: KORL, IATA: ORL, FAA LID: ORL) is also among the airports in Orlando City located 3 miles east of downtown Orlando. It is a general aviation facility owned, and operated by Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
The airport covers a total area of 967 acres, and features two asphalt runways: RWY 7/25 (6,004 ft. long), and RWY 13/31 (4,625 ft. long).
ORL Airport offers corporate services such as Fixed Base Operations (FBOs), aviation-related businesses, and other general aviation operations.
Other airports near Orlando, Florida
Besides MCO, and SFB, there are several other commercial, regional, military, private, and regional airports near Orlando. Some important nearby airports to the regions are listed in the table below.
| AIRPORTS NEAR ORLANDO | DISTANCE FROM ORLANDO | ESTIMATED DRIVING TIME |
| Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) | 23 miles | 27 minutes |
| Leesburg International Airport (LEE) | 45.5 miles | 50 minutes |
| Dayton Beach International Airport (DAB) | 53.6 miles | 48 minutes |
| Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) | 68.8 miles | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Tampa International Airport (TPA) | 90.1 miles | 1 hour 19 minutes |
| St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) | 99.8 miles | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Conclusion on Airports in Orlando
As we come to the end of this blog, we explored three airports in Orlando: Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), and Orlando Executive Airport (OEA).
MCO is the largest, and busiest airport in the region featuring a wide range of flights, and amenities. SFB is a secondary commercial airport in the city after MCO that is served by a limited number of airlines. This airport may be more convenient for travelers heading to the northern part of the city.
Orlando Executive Airport is the smallest of the three airports and primarily serves private, and corporate aircraft.
When traveling to Orlando, it’s important to plan ahead and consider all of the available options for transportation and nearby airports. Additionally, it’s important to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, especially during peak travel seasons.
FAQs on Airports in Orlando
Are there 2 airports in Orlando FL?
There are two primary commercial airports in Orlando, Florida which are Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Plus, there is a small general aviation facility known as Orlando Executive Airport (OEA).
What airport do you fly into for Orlando Florida?
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the best choice to fly into Orlando Florida because the airport is served by more than 20 airlines connecting to several domestic, and international destinations. The secondary commercial airport Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) might be a better option for passengers flying to the northern part of the city. However, SFB is served by a limited number of airlines.
How far apart are SFB, and MCO?
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), and Orlando International Airport (MCO) are approximately 32.6 miles apart. The estimated driving time between these two airports is 31 minutes based on the fastest available route.
What are the three closest airports to Orlando FL?
The three closest airports to Orlando, Florida are Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 11 miles, Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) – 26.1 miles, and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) – 53.6 miles.
