Orlando International Airport is the primary international airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Downtown Orlando, Florida. In 2021, it had 19,618,838 enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the state and seventh busiest airport in the United States. The airport code MCO stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation, that was closed in 1975 as part of a general military drawdown following the end of the Vietnam War.
Emirates operated its very first flight to the airport using an Airbus A380. This flight is regularly operated using the Boeing 777.
Terminal C on its opening day
Orlando International Airport Chapel
McCoy Air Force Base
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McCoy AFB is a former U.S. Air Force installation located 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Orlando, Florida. It was a training base during World War II. From 1951 to 1975, it was a frontline Strategic Air Command (SAC) base during the Cold War and Vietnam War. It was Orlando's biggest employer and economic backbone prior to the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971.
Boeing B-52D-40-BW Stratofortress, AF Serial No. 56-0687, on display at B-52 Memorial Park, Orlando International Airport, Florida (Ex-McCoy AFB). Photo taken 4 April 2003.
1947 aerial photo of Pinecastle Army Airfield
Postcard from Pinecastle AFB in the mid-1950s, showing the Pinecastle AFB control tower and a Boeing B-47E-90-BW Stratojet, AF Ser. No. 52-0477, of the 321st Bomb Wing on the ramp. This B-47 was sent to AMARC in November 1964. The control tower would continue to be used by McCoy AFB and as the first control tower for Orlando International Airport.
Postcard from McCoy AFB in the early 1960s, showing the McCoy AFB control tower and base operations building, Boeing B-52D-5-BW Stratofortress, AF Ser. No. 55-5054, and Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker, AF Ser. No. 57-1506, of the 4047th Strategic Wing.