Orlando International Airport issues Holiday Travel Tips ahead of welcoming record crowds!

As Orlando International Airport prepares to welcome record crowds this holiday season, the airport has issued its top tips to help make your journey through the airport easier!

Orlando International Airport (MCO) will welcome record crowds this holiday season with nearly 3.9 million passengers expected during the 23-day Christmas/New Year’s travel period, a whopping 13.5 percent increase over last year!

To meet the record demand at Orlando International, the airport have put in place new measures to help make passenger journeys as easy as possible, and they have issues a series of travel tips to help passengers help themselves!

The airport will open a new surface parking lot on Friday, following the opening of two lots during the Thanksgiving travel season. The three surface lots are accessible with E-Pass and SunPass Plus. SunPass customers must be enrolled with Easy Pay, and a transponder must be used to enter and exit the lots. In total, MCO has more than 2,000 new spaces on airport property compared to last year.

For those passengers using a rideshare, additional amenities are being provided so that ample drivers are onsite ready to assist passengers. Passengers may also note an increase in the number of ambassadors during peak times and may want to take advantage of one of the dozens of concession shops open on Christmas Eve until 9 p.m. and on Christmas Day from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Passengers are asked to follow the 3-2-1 guideline:

Passengers should be at the airport ticket counter 3 hours before their flight (this allows extra time for parking and busy ticket counters)

Be at the security checkpoint 2 hours prior to your flight

And be at the gate 1 hour before departure

Due to the placement of Christmas Day and New Years Day on a Monday, the holiday travel period stretches from December 16th through January 7th, with Saturday, December 30th projected to be the busiest day of the season with 187,000 total passengers.

Holiday Travel Tips at MCO:

Be of good cheer. Record crowds may cause lines or delays throughout your journey. To receive the latest parking updates, download the Orlando MCO app, or visit our website at www.OrlandoAirports.net.

Pack as lightly as possible and wear easily removable shoes.

Consider the 3-2-1 passenger advice and adhere to the TSA 3-1-1 rule for gels and liquids at the security checkpoint.

Do NOT bring guns or weapons through security. Check your bags for prohibited items before coming into the terminal.

Do not arrive early to pick up a passenger. Have your party call you when they are ready for pickup from the curb, not before. If you arrive early, please wait in the cell phone lots or Travel Plaza at 10505 Jeff Fuqua Blvd.

If we have reached parking capacity, please consider using a rideshare program or a taxi.

Remember, enhanced screening rules mean electronics larger than a cell phone will need to be removed from your bag and placed in a bin at the checkpoint, unless you are in the TSA PreCheck program. But even TSA PreCheck and MCO Reserve passengers may be subject to additional screening.

TAKE SECURITY SERIOUSLY! DO NOT MAKE JOKES OR LIGHT-HEARTED COMMENTS WHILE BEING PROCESSED FOR A FLIGHT.

Do not leave bags or packages unattended or accept items from strangers for transport.

Place identification tags on the outside and inside of checked and carry-on luggage.

If traveling with a pet or comfort animal, bring a leash. The pet will need to be on a leash while the animal carrier is properly screened by the TSA.

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