DebitNM

We are flying to Orlando in mid April and I am wondering what time we need to be at the airport to go through security etc for our return home.

2 questions for 2 flights departing MCO:

We will fly home on Sunday 4/20 and have a 9:40 am departure. I figured on arriving at airport terminal around 8 am [after dropping off rental car] Will this give us enough time? We are flying Southwest and will have bags to check in.

While in Orlando, I will be flying to FLL for an overnight on Spirit. On their confirmation, they said that I should plan to arrive at MCO 3 hours ahead of departure time! This seems very early to me. I will be flying on a Friday at noon. Do I really need to be at MCO at 9 am?


It was Spirits confirmation that made me question just how early we need to get to airport for both flights.

Any insights from those who fly thorugh MCO would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Deb

Orlando_Vic

Regarding the Sunday A.M. flight at 9:40, arriving at the airport by 8 should be O.K. I have never flown Southwest, though.

Now, regarding that noon flight to FLL, three hours seems way to early. I would think that if you check in by 9:30, you should be fine.

You are visiting Orlando at a great time of the year. Have a wonderful trip.

DebitNM

Thanks Vic for taking the time to reply.
Deb

surfmom

Just a quick thought... depending on who you rented your car from, that could take a signficantly different amount of time... there are some off-site (ie Hertz) that are big-time pita. (pain in the...). I avoid renting from Hertz at MCO.

I can't speak to Spirit's policy, but the other plans sound fine.

Lines at security can be long, so be mentally prepared (are you elite and can go through those lines? having said that, I don't remember if MCO has elite lines ?)

DebitNM

When I take the flight to FLL, I will be dropped off by DH, so no rental car return to deal with on that departure.

When we fly home on Southwest, we will drop off rental car, so we will factor that time in and try to make it so we arrive at actual terminal ready to check bags at 8 a.m.

Deb

Ryan

We've been to Orlando numerous times in the last few years. Giving yourself 1:40 minutes should be plenty of time. But, as stated just make sure you understand where your car rental return is when factoring that into your timing.

We usually use Avis at Orlando as they have drop-off at the terminal. We used Hertz once and didn't like the extra time needed to get from their offsite location.

Also, be aware that there are no gas stations right near the airport at least not that I've found. When refilling your rental you may want to do so a couple of exits before the airport.

Orlando_Vic

There is an Exxon-Mobil station at the corner of Semoran (SR 436) and Hoffner, about 1-2 miles due north of the airport. Reasonable prices too and very convenient for travelers returning rental cars to the airport or off-airport locations.

Postal

It's really hard to know how long the security lines will be. I fly out of Orlando about once a month and still never know what to expect. Last month the security line was about 30 minutes, but when I turned around to look at how long it had gotten in those 30 minutes, it was easily two times longer. At other times it has been 15 minutes. If course, the worst lines have been when I'm running the latest!

jamesr3939

Last two times we have flown out of MCO we go over late the night before and get a room at the Hyatt inside the terminal. It is a great hotel and the rates have always been excellent, less than where we had stayed. We can also turn in the rental car a day early so that saves us some $.

GreenDragon

My rule (and I fly out of MCO frequently, as I live in GNV) is 2 hours for a domestic flight, 3 hours for an international flight. I've never been late, though I frequently wait around a bit in the terminal - which is fine by me. I don't like risking late

cruisin_tigger

Maybe crowds depend on when the cruise shuttles drop off people? I would think the days the cruise ships return to Port Canaveral would be busier. I know thats the case in FLL.