For most Walt Disney World guests, the trip begins at Orlando International Airport. That gateway just had a strong year. New figures show MCO moved up the list of the busiest airports in the country, backed by steady passenger growth and a wider set of international routes. Here is a look at the numbers, what pushed them higher, and what the airport has planned for the years ahead.
MCO Moves Up to Seventh in the Country
According to the 2025 annual traffic report from Airports Council International North America, MCO climbed from 9th place in 2024 to 7th in 2025. That report tracks passenger volume across the busiest airports in the United States and Canada, so the shift reflects real movement against a large field.
The airport now sits behind only Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Los Angeles, and John F. Kennedy International in New York. MCO also remains the busiest airport in Florida and ranks as the 25th busiest airport in the world.
The Passenger Numbers Behind the Jump
MCO served 57,675,573 passengers in 2025. That figure is up from 57,211,628 in 2024, an increase of 0.8 percent. On its own, that growth might seem modest, but the context makes it stand out.
Across North American airports as a whole, passenger traffic actually fell by 0.7 percent compared to 2024. So while many airports saw fewer travelers, MCO added them. That difference in direction is a big part of why the airport moved up the list rather than holding steady.
For reference at the top of the rankings, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport stayed in first place across both North America and the world, serving 106.3 million passengers even after a 1.6 percent decrease from the prior year.
New European Routes Helped Fuel the Growth
Airport officials pointed to international travel as a key driver of the increase. Three new transatlantic nonstop routes launched from Orlando during the period covered by the report, connecting the airport directly to Munich, Madrid, and Paris for the first time.
Direct routes like these matter for the Central Florida travel market. They make it simpler for guests from those regions to reach Orlando without connecting flights, which can encourage more trips to the area’s theme parks and resorts. The additions fit a broader pattern of MCO building out its international route map.
What Airport Leaders Are Saying
Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which manages MCO, tied the ranking increase to the wider growth of the region. “These numbers are reflective of Central Florida’s continued growth and global appeal,” Lyttle said. “They also show why it is important to embrace a strategic vision that focuses on enhancing customer service while addressing critical infrastructure needs.”
That comment points to the connection between rising passenger counts and the pressure those crowds place on airport facilities. More travelers mean more demand on everything from baggage systems to parking.
The Vision Forward Plan for 2030
To keep up with that demand, the GOAA Board approved a refined strategic vision for MCO and Orlando Executive Airport back in October 2025. The plan is called Elevating MCO and ORL: The Vision Forward, and it is meant to guide upgrades across both airports in the coming years.
The planned improvements include several items aimed at the everyday guest experience:
- A new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B
- Thousands of additional parking spaces
- Renovated restrooms in the terminals
All of these upgrades are targeted for completion by 2030. GOAA also expects to finalize a plan for moving passengers through Terminal C’s post-security area during the current fiscal year.
Why This Matters for a Disney Trip
If you fly into Orlando for a Walt Disney World vacation, these developments touch your travel more directly than the rankings alone might suggest. New nonstop routes can open up easier options for international guests, and the infrastructure upgrades are designed to smooth out common friction points like baggage claim and parking.
Busier airports can also mean fuller terminals, so it is worth building a little extra time into your arrival and departure plans. Keeping an eye on the Vision Forward projects can help you know what to expect as construction and improvements roll out through the end of the decade.
Final Thoughts
Orlando International Airport’s move to seventh busiest in the country reflects a year of growth at a time when many airports saw declines. New routes to Munich, Madrid, and Paris helped bring in more travelers, and the Vision Forward plan sets a clear path for upgrades through 2030. For anyone planning a Disney World trip, the airport that starts your journey is heading into a period of steady change, and staying informed can make each arrival and departure a little easier.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
