Why We're Suddenly Breaking the #1 Rule at Orlando Airport

For years, flying out of Orlando meant bracing yourself for marathon TSA lines, but lately, travelers are breaking the #1 airport rule, and so are we, because security waits have all but vanished.

TSA lines at MCO

For as long as our team can remember, our golden rule of air travel has been to get to the airport early, especially at Orlando International Airport (MCO). This airport is notorious for its long, winding TSA lines. Travelers would routinely arrive two or even three hours ahead of boarding just to ensure they made it through security in time. But now we might be breaking our own rule, and here is why you might want to!

In the last couple of months, security wait times at Orlando have rarely exceeded 15 minutes, even during peak hours. That’s practically unheard of for an airport that has long been considered one of the most stressful in the country. Part of the change comes from updated TSA screening procedures. With new technology and policy adjustments, passengers in standard lanes no longer have to remove shoes, which has sped up the process significantly. Our team has gone through TSA five times since July 8th, multiple times at MCO, and each time the lines moved quickly, almost shockingly so.

MCO Airport

Of course, programs like TSA PreCheck and MCO Reserve (which allows you to book a timed security appointment in advance) also play a role. For frequent flyers, these options have been game-changers, providing predictability and peace of mind. But what’s striking is that even the regular security lanes are now moving at a pace that makes the old advice of arriving hours early feel outdated. Monitoring the official MCO app recently, we noticed wait times never climbed above 15 minutes. This is a reality that would have sounded impossible just a year ago.

TSA

Does this mean you should start rolling up to Orlando Airport 45 minutes before your flight? Probably not. Travel is always unpredictable, and it’s better to have a cushion than to risk a missed flight. But it’s clear that something has shifted at airports like MCO, and for the first time in a long time, travelers are feeling a little less dread about security lines. For now, the #1 airport rule might just be bending.

Orlando International Airport

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What has your experience been flying at Orlando International Airport? Tell us in the comments below.