ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 9 February 2010 : by C Hansen

Customer Rating : 4/5

I have transited many airports in Europe and the US, and think that MCO is one of the easiest to get around. It is also one of the more pleasant to wait in, as there are plenty of stores to browse and different eateries to select from. Plenty of seating and natural lighting too. What you have to know is that the airside gates are away from the main terminals, connected by an elevated tram system. Because of this, I would suggest you do any eating or shopping before going through security, as the options airside are somewhat limited. Although there seems to be a Starbucks in all the airside gate areas, so I'm happy. They have gotten much better with security, the last 3 times I've been through (June, October, November 2009), I never had to wait more than 15 minutes to be screened. Arrivals, both domestic and from international have not been a problem either. Passport and customs is pretty smooth, and you can now choose if you want to take your bag with you on the tram after clearing customs, or put it back on the belt and collect it in baggage claim. This is a wonderful option for those that just want to get out of the airport as quickly as possible after a long plane ride. All in all, a pretty pleasant airport to transit - miles better than IAD or ORD, but my favorites will always be AMS or MUC.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 28 September 2009 : by Patrick Jordan

Customer Rating : 2/5

I departed from MCO and had a mixed experience. Landside, MCO is a veritable shopping centre and my wife and I had a browse, ate in the food court (very reasonably priced). Security was cleared in minutes and we were airside within minutes. Aer Lingus flights depart from gate 28 and this departure area is not particularly pleasant. The range of shops, cafes and bars is limited and in stark contrast to landside is quite expensive. Two glasses of average wine came to just under $20 for example. Very annoyingly only one set of restrooms in this area were working leading to queues! This is wholly unacceptable. Unlike the vast majority of airports this area doesn't have any executive lounges. Servisair operate in the airport, surely there is a market for such a lounge. I would be quite happy to pay for this service.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 22 September 2009 : by P Jordan

Customer Rating : 3/5

MCO is a great airport for departing passengers: bright, airy, spacious, great range of shops and restaurants. Arriving (from Dublin) is a nightmare. Clearing customs and immigration is pretty efficient. Baggage is anything but. You have to collect your bags, deposit them at another belt, and then wait for their delivery into the arrivals area. Even allowing for the transit from customs to arrivals, we had to wait almost a half an hour for bags to arrive. There's a global recession on folks, why not try to make arriving in your airport a less stressful experience. As I said, the departure experience is much more pleasant.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 3 August 2009 : by L Nielsen

Customer Rating : 2/5

This airport must be so new (it is lovely, clean, light & bright-looks like a mall) that they haven't had time to install signage; or they ran out of money! After we returned our rental car (Avis, in the airport) we rode the escalator upstairs to ticketing to check our bags only to discover we didn't know which way to go; apparently finding the airline on your own is the game of the day. Went one way, turned around, went the other way, asked directions, were told to go to the other side and take a right, didn't find, asked directions again, told to keep going straight, take a right and we'd find USAir. Finally did find it but at no time, anywhere was there a sign - for any airline! Is this an airport, with airline ticketing? And we must have walked a mile; good thing we had about 2 hours! Oh, and lets not forget that before returning the car we found a close-by service station (SunCoast) to fill up the gas tank - at the great price of $4.39 a gallon! We had to go to Orlando on business but you can be sure we won't be going there on pleasure after this experience. We'll take our recession money elsewhere.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 10 June 2009 : by A Johnson

Customer Rating : 4/5

On the whole, Orlando International Airport is a very enjoyable airport to transit through. The only two problems seem to be security queues and rental-car check-in queues. The security issue has significantly been improved over the 12 years I have been transiting through the airport, albeit queues could be around 15-25 minutes at peak times over at Concourse B when the Virgin Atlantic, British Airways & Lufthansa International flights depart. The problem with rental car check in has been improved in the last few years. The worst does seem to be Alamo however Dollar seems to be the best contender, especially during peak times around 14:00-17:00 with queue to car (Side B) in less than 15 minutes. Overall Orlando is a great and relaxing airport to transit through and I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Florida, especially internationally. With the expected terminal renovations, it should make the experience even better.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 21 May 2009 : by M Cooper

Customer Rating : 4/5

I actually think MCO isnt that bad! The only issue I continue to have is with the rental car checkins - Dollar kept me waiting for around 90 minutes as there were 50 people waiting and only 3 people behind the desks. Maybe we can start reviewing Rental Car Companies on this website?

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 11 May 2009 : by Jennifer Nicole

Customer Rating : 2/5

Horrible, mass confusion. It took us an hour to navigate after dropping off the rental car and going through screening. Albeit, we did arrive only an hour prior to boarding, but it shouldn't have taken an hour on a Tuesday at noon to leave. Their screening area was a jumble, not enough lanes open for the amount of travellers. We had to get rescreened because I put my laptop in the same bin as my shoes, etc (don't do that) and it took forever for it to come back through once they separated it. You definitely need 2 hours to go through there airport.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 7 May 2009 : by A Hudson

Customer Rating : 1/5

If You are arriving into this airport and are going to go to Disney use the Disney Magical Express Bus Service. This is the way to go.. If You are going to do Disney stay on the property and at Disney's Pop Century Resort. Now when you get off the plane and you are on the side that has a water fountain on it walk right through that and follow the sign for chillis too. Once you see Chillis too look for the b side which you will see solantic Urgent Care center. Go to the elevator and go to level 1. When you get to level one look for disney magical express bus service. You must check in at the desk before boarding the busses. After you check in you will be assigned by your resort for the busses. When you are eating inside the terminal go to Famous Familga's Pizza and Sabarro it is great. Don't bring water or anything through TSA and have your laptop computers out of the bags. Now when you get off the plane (Except for disney resort guest) you will arrive on level 3 in the main terminal. Baggage claim is on level 2 of the airport as well as curbside pick up. If You are getting a Taxi its on level 1.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 27 February 2009 : by M Jensen

Customer Rating : 2/5

Orlando airport is in dire need of renovation, which it appears they are working on but if you are traveling through this airport currently, prepare for less-than-comfortable surroundings. I fly through many airports and this is by far on the low end of major airports. In the 1-29 wing, the ceilings have been removed revealing the structure and it looks as if asbestos is exposed to all. There are air ducts in plastic running overhead that shoot a brisk breeze to all below. There are minimal food options and restrooms. The line at Starbucks is huge because it's the only game in town in this wing of the airport. The airport does nothing to help their cause. If you have the option, fly into Tampa which is much nicer, especially if you're on business. You can avoid the families and retirees who know little about navigating through security, etc.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 27 January 2009 : by Rob Finfrock

Customer Rating : 5/5

I travel through MCO several times a year on business, and have found the airport to be pleasant to transit. Yes, the Disney influence, screaming kids and ridiculous "monorails" to the main terminal were off-putting at first, but I've grown to appreciate the kitsch factor and a Bose headset mutes the brats. The only real lines I've encountered at Orlando were for ticketing, and curbside usually alleviates this - it's worth tipping the skycap to avoid the rabble. Security checkpoint lines are usually VERY fast, a welcome difference from the TSA mess at most other major airports. Personnel are usually polite, efficient, and a few are even downright friendly - again, a welcome surprise. I travel most often on Southwest, and that carrier's terminal is impressively clean and modern, with a number of shops and fast food choices. Walk times from the furthest gates are a bit on the long side, but I don't mind the walk. I've never had to connect at MCO, though, so I can see how this would be a challenge, especially between different carriers. For a busy, congested airport, you can do worse than to travel through Orlando - think "Miami."

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 13 January 2009 : by Steve Koenig

Customer Rating : 2/5

A modern, relatively comfortable airport. Also extremely busy, with many families starting or ending holidays there, which adds to the chaos in the check-out lines (lots of overweight baggage on the way out, and far too few attendants, at least at Delta). After checking in, getting your bags weighed, etc., you need to take all of your bags to a security area to leave them off for scanning (agents said to just leave our bags and leave, which seemed to defeat the purpose of security; also, not clear what would prevent one from adding items to their luggage to get around weight restrictions). Security line was relativey quick for us, but have heard it can be very busy. Plenty of options for shopping and dining, but far fewer once you go through security and take at train to your individual terminal. Returning a rental car can be a bit confusing, since some companies have their return facilities next to the terminals (need to walk) and some are off-airport. Worse, when we stopped to top-off the tank of our rental car several blocks from the airport entrance, and, with no price signs outside the station, we found only at the tank that gas cost TWICE as much as we had paid several miles away. The attendant explained that the higher price was due to it being "on airport property." Sounded like a rip-off (fortunately we were buying just a gallon). We were in the area of hotels and shops and restaurants, but not within the airport itself. We had flown into Jacksonville when we arrived in Florida, and would likely endeavor to use it, or perhaps Daytona, when departing from the area again unless we wee going to be based in Orlando.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 6 January 2009 : by P Kennedy

Customer Rating : 1/5

For international arrivald its a complete shambles. Having cleared customs you now cannot take your baggage via the shuttle to arrivals. You have to go through the whole security screening again, and then you must place your baggage on the belt for delivery in the arrival area. One hour later the bags arrived on the belt.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 29 September 2008 : by Bob Gross

Customer Rating : 1/5

Terrible airport as far as accommodating passengers. They have all the Hotel and Private Limo Pick - Up spaces on Level one way down at the end of the line on both sides. A very long walk if you have luggage to carry. Toward the end of the year 2008 Hotel and Rental Car buses and large vans will have to drop passengers off on Level One and not on Level 3 where curb side check in and ticketing is located. Passengers will be required to walk all the upstairs to the ticket counter. Another long walk with your luggage in tow.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 14 August 2008 : by Stephen Tait

Customer Rating : 3/5

I worked in Florida for a while and was a regular at the airport! I have seen it where everything is open, no delays and everything is quick and goes to plan - I've also seen the complete opposite! As for facilities, these are what you would expect in an Orlando airport - generaly a good choice and selection of near enough everything. The terminal (land side) makes for an interesting wander.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 19 June 2008 : by T Hamilton

Customer Rating : 4/5

When we arrived from the UK from the back of a 747 I expected a long delay through immigration however I was pleasantly surprised to see all booths manned and the process only took about 30 minutes. However customs randomly x-raying baggage is a new one for me and one or two people were struggling to get their bags on the machine. Departure was good with plenty of choice for food at reasonable (for an airport) prices. Also there was plenty of room for passengers to sit.

Orlando International Airport review by Sam Healey

23 April 2008  Customer Rating :

Only 4 out of the 26 available desks for non US citizens (both US citizen desks were open and then closed once the US citizens were processed) were open on arriving into the immigration hall at Orlando. I appreciate there may not be full availability of staff as it was Sunday afternoon but overall I feel this is poor planning on the part of the authorities. There was a group of officers standing in one booth chatting and seemingly indifferent to the melee forming in this hall. They are undoubtedly aware of the number of overseas flights and should plan for pax arrivals accordingly. After a long wait two more desks were finally opened to process more people thus causing a mini stampede. No security search on arrival this time around (I have commented on this previously and wondered why this was). Pax are now permitted and actively encouraged by staff to put their suitcases on the train rather than use their slow belt system after clearing Customs. Orlando has a nice departures area which a wide range of shops and restaurants (particularly landside but airside is good too especially when compared with some other US airports). There are now a wheelchair line and a families line at the security checkpoints on departure. Lines move very slowly.

Orlando International Airport review by Mark Johnstone

8 April 2008  Customer Rating :

We recently flew into and out of MCO enroute to other destinations in US. Airport is undergoing some renovation. Facilities for an international airport are very poor. Very limited eating places. Airport was dirty. Flight information was limited and gates we flew into from Edinburgh and Newark were over congested with renovation work leaving area looking very unsafe.

Orlando International Airport review by C Silverstein

22 March 2008  Customer Rating :

We flew in and out of MCO this past week, on Jetblue from Syracuse. Departure from the plane to pickup of rental car took about an hour. We thought that was relatively quick considering some people have waited much longer. The airport is clean and looks beautiful. Of course, there are tons of children, but we weren't bothered at all. When we left Orlando, it took just about an hour from rental car drop-off to arrival at our gate. We recommend express check in curbside. It cost us $2 per bag - but it was so quick and painless and when we got inside the line for checkin was very long (it was about 3:30pm on a Wednesday). Security was fairly quick and really didn't take as much time as we thought it would. When we flew in and out of MCO last year we had the same good luck. All in all, MCO is an easy airport to deal with.

Orlando International Airport review by S Ryle

12 February 2008  Customer Rating :

It is ridiculous that after a 9+ hour flight (from DUB) one has to go through a 'full monty' departure type security check on arrival at Orlando (MCO). And only one security gate for nearly 300 PAX! Also, only 2 immigration desks (+ one for US citizens)! It can take 2 to 3 hours after arrival, if you are one of the last off an aircraft, to finally get your bags. On 7th Feb I experienced for the 2nd time in 3 years this type of 'welcome' at MCO. On both occasions I flew with EI direct from DUB. On two other occasions I used BA from LGW and did not have to go through any of this mindless security check on arrival. During the last 15 months I travelled to MCO from DUB via PHL with US Airways and there was none of this frustrating security check on arrival at PHL. (There was the ususal security check when checking in the bags again which is usual at all US airports). What is it with the TSA at Orlando with what I consider a mindless and useless security check for arrival PAX - and only one security gate.

Orlando International Airport review by Iain Murray

9 January 2008  Customer Rating :

3 hours from plane to car rental pick up! Unacceptable. Double baggage drop is also a real pain. Queues everywhere. Will avoid in future and fly into Sanford or Tampa instead.

Orlando International Airport review by Peter Best

7 December 2007  Customer Rating :

For the international traveler, Orlando (MCO) is not a bad airport at all. It appears to be clean and relatively modern. Immigration queues are relatively light compared to eg Miami. The system of having to clear your luggage through customs and thereafter having to hand it in again and pick it up elsewhere in the airport is unusual. Unlike most of the European airports, no ATM machines could be found in the airport, so bring dollars with you or waist your time at the bank/moneychanger. Also foreigner unfriendly is the system of requiring three dollar notes (or a fiver?) for your luggage trolley. A porter if you can find one is an option but then what to do if you have to wait 45 minutes for your rental car? Departure procedures are relatively standard. TSA staff was ok. Security checking was not a fast process. Hopefully it is effective.

Orlando International Airport review by Steve Koenig

9 November 2007  Customer Rating :

Only transited MCO so cannot comment on anything before the waiting areas. Large array of restaurants (fast food, primarily) and shops. I have never seen an airport with so many children in it (not surprisingly, most wearing Disney gear). Heard parents complaining that they had not heard their flight called. Perhaps due to the noise. Keep your ears and eyes open, since if you miss your flight you could have problems at such a busy airport. Waiting areas semi-comfortable with, typically, too few chairs to accommodate the number of passengers there.

Orlando International Airport review by N Kessler

3 July 2007  Customer Rating :

I fly into MCO several times a year, and dread it. The Airport itself is quite nice, but a bit sprawling, and should have more moving sidewalks. The walk from shuttle to gate, and reverse is exhausting. The main concourse is beautiful, but again, makes for entirely too much walking to get to baggage and rental cars. Security is atrocious! I've been in much busier airports like LAX and DFW and it takes 1/3 of the time with much less stress to get thru security. They give the appearance of many lines (all long) but they converge into just a few, and make for very angry passengers. Of course, and due to the Mouse That Ate Orlando, many of these passengers are harried families with tired, crying children. And, the stress level carries over to the TSA agents, who clearly know they can be rude without reprimand. I would never try to take a large group through this airport.

Orlando International Airport review by Robert Dunford

6 June 2007  Customer Rating :

MCO is starting to look quite tatty these days, and especially airside (although NW gates were ripped open so looks like there might be something happening there). Doesn't compare to MSP Lindbergh or ORD (UAL terminal) at all. Which is a shame as otherwise it would be a nice, relaxing airport even with the theme parkers. Can't say I've had too many problems with TSA staff, found the ones at IAD much ruder. All in all, the airport needs to start reflecting the refurbishment around the Orlando/Haines City areas.

Orlando International Airport review by Aimee Bert

15 November 2006   Customer Rating : n/a

I'm surprised to see so many kudos for this airport. I fly weekly out of Orlando and find it the worst as far as getting through security. What a nightmare. OIA needs to take a few lessons from its neighbor, Walt Disney, for creating a peaceful and less frustrating method of getting through this mess. TSA converges 6 lines into 1, which allows some passengers who just arrived to cut in front of a number of passengers who have been waiting for 10-15 minutes. It is also very "close" making it a bit claustrophobic, and they need to turn the a/c up in there too! It would be nice to have a lane for "families" traveling with children that has more space. They also need to enforce the number of items rule--I see too many coming through with 3-5 bags. Lastly, the TSA staff might be overworked, but there is no need for them to be rude to the passengers. I have had several issues with patronizing, rude, and mindless agent's who need a few lessons from Ms. Manners.

Orlando International Airport review by Drew Cooper

18 May 2006

I travel through MCO 5-6 times a year on UA, and it manages the crowds of mostly vacationing passengers fairly well. The distance from curbside to check-in to security is short. However, crowds can overwhelm ticket counter space. Checking bags can be a hassle (at least at UA) because baggage is screened in the lobby, creating mountains of bags. UA carry- on only check in kiosks are underused and hence are very quick. Once past the ticket counters, signage is decent, and the two atriums make the crowds seem smaller . WiFi access is limited and I've not been able to find a business service area (perhaps in on-site Hyatt?). The shops are geared mostly toward the area's theme parks; the food court offers mall food. The security area is the one place that can be a little aggravating for the frequent flyer: there are no dedicated lines for elite/1st class. This may be why the registered traveler program CLEAR started here. The lines approaching security move along even at the busiest times, and wait times are marked. Once inside the screening area however, I find it claustrophobic as the machines and lines are jammed very close together with little room for removing laptops and shoes. One is confronted with families with small children trying to manage in tight quarters. Airport and TSA staff are civil if a little overwhelmed. Once past screening, monorails take passengers to the concourses. The concourse lobbies are open and airy with food courts and the standard airport shops. Distance to gates can be longish; no moving sidewalks. Gate areas are standard issue, sometimes standing-room only. Taxi times in and out are quick for the large size of the airport, and delays have been minimal for me. On arrival, bags are often on carousel before passengers get there. Overall, MCO is one of the best of large US airports.