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Orlando International Airport Gears Up for a Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Season
If you are flying into or out of Orlando over the holidays, you will definitely have company. Orlando International Airport is preparing for what could be its busiest winter holiday travel season ever, with nearly 3.1 million passengers expected between December 19 and January 5, 2026.
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Airport officials say the surge covers both Christmas and New Year’s travel, a time when Central Florida sees an influx of theme park visitors and holiday travelers heading home. With millions of passengers moving through MCO in just over two weeks, travelers should expect heavier crowds throughout the terminals.
The single busiest day of the season is projected to be Saturday, January 3, when approximately 196,212 passengers will arrive and depart. Sunday, January 4 is close behind with an estimated 195,960 travelers, making that weekend one of the most crowded periods at the airport.
To help manage the rush, MCO is sharing several tips to keep travel days running smoothly. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at least three hours before departure to allow enough time for parking, check-in, and security screening. Travelers should also plan to be at their gate at least one hour before boarding begins.
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Checking flight status before arriving at the airport is highly recommended, either through your airline or the Orlando MCO app, which provides real-time flight updates. Parking is expected to be limited during peak days, so reserving a parking spot ahead of time can save valuable time and stress.
For travelers without TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+, MCO also offers a free service called MCO Reserve, which allows passengers to book a time slot for airport security screening. With crowds expected to reach record levels, a little advance planning could make all the difference between a smooth departure and a not-so-magical travel day.
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