United Airlines Celebrates 45 Years At Orlando International Airport

This past week marked 45 years of United Airlines service to Orlando International Airport (MCO), with both the airline and airport celebrating the milestone on social media platform X. What began in 1978, the recent milestone of service comes a month after United Airlines announced an expansion of capacity from MCO.

Naturally, United’s December 2023 traffic will look much different from December 1978. According to data provided by Cirium, United will offer more than 2,438 flights from MCO, totaling 457,846 seats this month. For perspective, when United first started service at MCO, the airport itself handled 6,072,145 passengers in total. Both United and Continental would serve MCO before their merger.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

To reach the 457,846-seat capacity in its schedule, United will employ a number of widebody aircraft in its fleet. So far, the Star Alliance member has scheduled 33 of its flights to Orlando from its hub in Houston (IAH) to use the 767-300. A total of 31 flights from Chicago (ORD) will utilize the even larger 777-200. United’s fleet utilization from MCO this December will be fairly diverse, using both the 737 MAX 9 and the older 757-300 for some flights.

United Fleet and Route updates

United’s 45th anniversary at MCO comes at a busy time for the airline. On Thursday, November 30th, the airline began operation of its first A321neo – fifteen days earlier than originally planned. The aircraft’s entry into service is a monumental occasion for the airline, which hadn’t received a new Airbus aircraft for over twenty years.

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

In a ceremony ahead of the first A321neo flight, United’s CEO Scott Kirby provided details for United’s Next growth plan, which includes an expansion to the airline’s hub at IAH to accommodate 40% more travelers while operating what will become the largest lounge in North America. Houston’s city council has provided pushback toward United’s growth plan.

Meanwhile, the airline had recently adjusted its summer schedule to increase service from IAH to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and announced the launch of service to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Georgetown, Guyana.

Booming travel at Orlando

Meanwhile, in Flordia, Orlando International Airport is continuing to boost its International routes. Last week, Canada’s Porter Airlines announced its brand-new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft for routes to Orlando. The services connect the Florida city to the Canadian airports of Toronto Pearson International (YYZ), and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International (YOW). Porter followed another Canadian airline, Lynx Air, in announcing service to MCO. Lynx Air, for its part, launched a service to Calgary International (YYC) on November 7th.

Orlando has also recently welcomed back US domestic low-cost carrier Allegiant Airlines after a 13-year hiatus. MCO was one of 12 new routes announced by the airline, connecting Orlando with Knoxville, Asheville, and Allentown.

What do you think of United Airline’s footprint in Orlando? How do you see United’s next 45 years at Orlando going? Let us know in the comments.