ORLANDO, Fla. — Already one of the nation’s busiest airports, record travel demand is pushing Orlando International Airport (MCO) to undertake major upgrade and renovation projects. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Work is underway to build a pedestrian walkway between Terminal C and the intermodal station at Orlando International Airport

  •  Upcoming renovations will focus on select areas of the existing Terminals A and B

  •  MCO officials say they plan to expand reserve parking program and install parking guidance system technology

  • Experts say the airport is expected to serve 60 million passengers by the end of the year

Airlines are working to meet demands of the estimated 60 million passengers who plan to fly in and out of Orlando International Airport by the end of the year.

At times, MCO can have at least 45 airlines offering more than 850 daily flights. As of May, the service between Orlando International and Atlanta (ATL) remains the busiest route in the domestic United States, according to OAG.

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault said the various projects still in the planning stages, or already underway, will help handle the growing demand. The current challenge, Thibault said, is maximizing use of space in terminals A, B, and C based on airlines’ schedules and use of facilities.

Terminal C

Existing work underway at the recently opened Terminal C includes adding eight more gates and building a pedestrian bridge linking the terminal building to the neighboring intermodal station, which houses Brightline and Parking Garage C.

The 1.8 million-square-foot Terminal C opened in 2022. Built with an initial 15 gates, Terminal C is the largest expansion project in the airport’s history. It was designed to accommodate up to 10 million annual passengers, but in the first year of opening, hosted around 6.4 million passengers on 48,300 flights.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Spectrum News that the federal government is investing billions to help upgrade airports, including those in Central Florida. Orlando International received $260 million for improvements to Terminal C, while Melbourne Orlando International Airport received $8 million in federal funds to rehabilitate their terminal and upgrade their baggage system, Buttigieg said.

“What excites me about this funding is we’re dealing with back of the house things you might never see, but they make a difference,” he said. “(This also includes) more passenger-facing things like quality and feel and experience of an airport terminal, and knowing the economic engine that facilities like Orlando International Airport represents. It’s not only important for travelers, but really everybody who is a part of that economy.”

To keep up with future growth, construction is underway on eight additional narrow-body gates, which will likely open within the next two years.

“This will give us additional capacity," Thibault said. "We can move more airlines down there."

JetBlue and a roster of international carriers are the primary airlines operating out of Terminal C, while others — like Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, United, etc. — are operating out of the existing terminals A and B, as are a smaller share of international airlines.  

Terminal C was built to relieve pressures on Terminals A and B, which had long ago exceeded the capacity they were built for.

Terminals A & B

MCO has gradually renovated various areas of the landside and terminal buildings in recent years, but now the focus has turned to even larger renovation projects.

“As we opened up C, we knew we had to come back here to A and B and say, ‘What do we need to do?'” Thibault said.

The estimated $40 million makeover will focus on the interior of Airsides 1 and 3 and levels 1 and 3 of Terminals A and B, which make up the North Terminal Complex.

Airsides 1 and 3 are the gate areas for Alaska, American, Breeze, Frontier, Spirit, United, and other airlines. Renovations here, Thibault said, include refreshing and refurbishing the passenger areas and expanding restrooms.

“We’re doing the same thing here on the landside building, levels 1 and 2, where the bag claim and ground transportation are, redoing all of the carpeting, tile flooring, all of that getting done over the next couple of years,” Thibault said. “At the same time, we’re replacing every concession in this North Terminal Complex, from gates at Southwest and gates at American, every location over the next two years is going to have a whole new food and beverage and retail offering.”

Part of the challenge for the renovations is the airport will be confined to the footprint of the existing facility, but Thibault said there are opportunities to make better use of current space — especially in the food and retail areas.

“We noticed over time less people wanting to do the sit-down restaurants and wanting to go to the food court, and the place where the sit down was was larger than the food court, so as part of this new concession approach, we’re flipping the locations,” Thibault said. “They both have the same needs, so now we’re taking advantage of the larger space to put more people in, because that’s where they really want to be.”

Thibault said the airport is using the renovations to respond to passenger feedback and wants. With the majority of international service now in Terminal C, Thibault said the airport plans to move the duty-free shop out of the Spirit and Frontier area to take better advantage of the space.

Cruising Around The Airport

Thibault said the airport’s plans go beyond fresh carpet, tiles, and expanded bathrooms. They are also looking to find ways to entertain people with extra time at the airport. This includes cruise passengers, who typically arrive at the airport hours before their flight. This is why Thibault said they’re exploring pre-security entertainment options.

“Things we’re looking to offer them is experiences," Thibault said. "Do they have food experiences that they can go in and interact with passengers waiting for their flight, or waiting to go check in? Can we offer things … like augment reality and virtual reality so people can do some gaming-type of experience while they’re waiting?”

Parking Pains

Parking has long been a common complaint among Central Floridians who fly in and out of Orlando International Airport. In October, Bunnell resident Leann Johnston was among those to share stories of frequently pains trying to find parking. 

By the end of 2023, Thibault said MCO opened another 2,000 parking spots through the construction of new lots, or expanded existing ones.

Now, with nearly 22,000 parking spots property-wide, Thibault said spots are more readily available. While individual garages or parking lots do reach capacity in peak times, Thibault said the airport is making strides to ensure there’s enough parking to meet the demand. However, he said, things have changed.

“What we’re finding is the phenomenon, if you’ve lived here like I have since 1988, you’re using to going to the A garage, Level 3, Row C, Spot 14, and it’s not there anymore, somebody else has my spot,” Thibault said. “It’s that use of familiarity — you now have to go to a different location.”

Current parking options at MCO include Garages A, B, and C, as well as surface lots near Terminal C, and the North Park Place and South Park Place economy lots. West Park Place Economy Lot is open seasonally.

There are a number of efforts underway, Thibault said, to improve the parking experience. MCO’s reserved parking program at Terminal C will soon expand to terminal top at A and B.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board also approved plans to begin a $10 million project to install Parking Guidance System technology in their parking structures. These systems are similar to those found at Central Florida attractions, like Disney Springs, where boards display current spot openings, and green and red lights indicate open and occupied parking spots. 

The contract is expected to be awarded in June.

Long-term, perhaps by the end of the decade, Thibault said one goal is to eventually build a consolidated rental car facility that is accessible by the existing people mover tram system. This would then free up parking spaces in garages A, B, and C, which are currently occupied by the rental car companies.  

Traveling this summer?

Passengers traveling in and out of Orlando International Airport are encouraged to keep 3-2-1 in mind.

3 hours before your flight: Arrive at the airport with ample time to find parking and to check in for your flight. SunPass Plus is an opt-in feature (not automatic) to allowing you to park in any of MCO’s parking facilities using your SunPass.

2 hours before your flight: It’s recommended you get to TSA security at least two hours before your flight. Don’t have TSA PreCheck? The free MCO Reserve program allows those without TSA PreCheck to schedule their security screening time, if their flight departs between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

1 hour before your flight: Passengers are urged to be at their gate at least one hour before their flight, and should keep a watch on flight monitors to be aware of any potential gate or flight changes.