You are definitely not imagining those crowds at Orlando International Airport.
Millions of travelers pass through Orlando International Airport every year on their way to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, cruises from Port Canaveral, and the countless other attractions scattered throughout Central Florida. Now, newly released passenger numbers show just how busy Orlando’s primary airport has become, and MCO officially moved ahead of two other major airports in the latest national rankings.
Orlando International Airport, commonly known by its airport code MCO, moved from ninth place in 2024 to seventh place in the 2025 rankings of the busiest airports in the United States.
The annual rankings were released by Airports Council International North America, or ACI-NA, which tracks passenger traffic at major airports throughout the United States and Canada.
According to the 2025 airport traffic report, Orlando International Airport served 57,675,573 passengers during the year. That represents a 0.8% increase over the 57,211,628 passengers who traveled through MCO in 2024.
That may sound like a relatively small percentage increase, but it is especially notable because total passenger traffic across North American airports declined by approximately 0.7% in 2025. International passenger traffic increased by 0.3%, while domestic passenger traffic fell by 1%.
MCO’s increase allowed Orlando International Airport to climb two places in the national rankings, placing it ahead of Miami International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
The Busiest Airports in the United States for 2025
Orlando International Airport now ranks behind only six airports in the United States based on total passenger traffic.
The airports ahead of MCO in the 2025 rankings are:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Orlando International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remained the busiest airport in North America and worldwide, serving approximately 106.3 million passengers in 2025. Atlanta retained the top spot despite experiencing a 1.6% decrease in passenger traffic compared to 2024.
Orlando International Airport remains the busiest airport in Florida and is now ranked as the 25th-busiest airport in the world.
International Flights Helped MCO Continue Growing
International travel played an important role in Orlando International Airport’s passenger growth.
Three new transatlantic nonstop routes launched from Orlando during the period covered by the report, connecting Central Florida directly with Munich, Madrid, and Paris for the first time.
The new European routes are part of MCO’s continued efforts to expand its international flight network and make Orlando more accessible to travelers worldwide.
Orlando’s global connections have continued growing beyond the period covered by the 2025 rankings. In February 2026, MCO also celebrated its first nonstop passenger flight between Tokyo and Orlando, marking another major milestone for international travel in Central Florida.
The growing number of international routes is especially significant for Orlando’s tourism industry. International visitors use MCO to reach Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Port Canaveral, and many of the region’s other theme parks, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment destinations.
Central Florida’s Continued Growth Is Driving Demand
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Lance Lyttle connected the airport’s improved ranking to Central Florida’s continued growth and worldwide appeal.
According to Lyttle, the new passenger numbers also emphasize the importance of following a strategic plan that improves customer service while addressing MCO’s critical infrastructure needs.
That infrastructure is going to become increasingly important as Orlando attracts more vacationers, convention attendees, cruise passengers, business travelers, and international visitors.
The opening of new Central Florida attractions, including Universal Epic Universe, along with major upcoming investments at Walt Disney World Resort and throughout the surrounding tourism corridor, could continue driving demand for flights into Orlando.
Major Improvements Are Planned for Orlando International Airport
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board approved a refined strategic vision for Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport in October 2025.
The plan, called “Elevating MCO & ORL: The Vision Forward,” is designed to guide future improvements at both airports. It focuses on four primary areas: customer experience, community, infrastructure, and people.
Several airport improvement projects are targeted for completion by 2030, including:
- A new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B
- Thousands of additional airport parking spaces
- Renovated terminal restrooms
- Continued infrastructure improvements throughout the airport
The airport’s broader vision includes approximately 8,000 additional parking spaces, helping address one of the most persistent challenges travelers face when arriving at MCO during especially busy holiday and vacation periods.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority also expects to finalize a plan for moving passengers through Terminal C’s post-security area during the current fiscal year. That plan could help improve how travelers navigate the airport’s newest terminal after clearing the security checkpoint.
MCO Is Preparing for Even More Travelers
Orlando International Airport works with regional tourism organizations, including Visit Orlando and Experience Kissimmee, to encourage continued air-service growth and strengthen Central Florida’s connections with destinations around the world.
The latest ranking shows why those airport upgrades and partnerships matter. MCO is not simply an airport used by Disney World and Universal Orlando visitors. It has become one of the largest and busiest transportation hubs in the United States.
This also is not the first time Orlando International Airport has reached seventh place in the national rankings.
Using year-end 2021 passenger totals, MCO jumped from ninth to seventh place in 2022. At the time, airport officials credited the milestone to the recovery of post-pandemic travel and the addition of new international routes.
After returning to ninth place in 2024, MCO has once again climbed back into the seventh position — this time while passenger traffic across North America was declining overall.
For travelers, the new ranking is both impressive and a reminder to plan ahead. MCO’s passenger numbers can translate into crowded security checkpoints, busy baggage claim areas, packed parking garages, and longer waits during major travel periods. Arriving early, checking parking availability, monitoring airline notifications, and allowing extra time to reach your gate remain important parts of any Orlando vacation plan.
With more international routes, millions of annual passengers, and major airport improvements on the way, Orlando International Airport is preparing for Central Florida’s next era of growth.
Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Orlando International Airport news, Disney World travel updates, Universal Orlando developments, theme park construction projects, vacation-planning tips, and everything else you need to know before your next Central Florida trip.
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