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Thanksgiving travel: 1.9M expected to pass through Orlando, MCO ready for rush

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando International Airport is gearing up for a busy Thanksgiving travel season, with changes made to make passengers’ experience easier now in full swing.

“We added almost 850 parking spaces next to the train station, and in need addition, we have an overflow lot that has 1,200 spaces,” Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault said.

On Monday, the airport announced it expects to host 1.9 million passengers this Thanksgiving travel season. AAA also gave Orlando the number one spot on the list of top 10 domestic travel locations for the holiday.

What is different this year?

In January, the airport introduced a new reserved parking system that gives people the option to secure their spot before their departure date.

“The program allows passengers to reserve parking in advance on level 4 of the parking garage C. You can park there and then use the terminal link to access terminals A and B,” Thibault explained.

There are also three surface lots available that were not open last November.

“These lots are accessible with E pass and Sun Pass plus transponders,” Thibault said.

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The airport is not just focused on parking. There will be more Airport Ambassadors around to help you — nearly double the amount in 2023.

They provide information and help passengers during their time at the airport, and this year, they have new technology to assist their efforts. Thibault explained the equipment with an ambassador present.

“She has devices that she can radio her supervisor for help and ask additional questions and actually uses it as a translator if she needs to, and they all have an iPad, as well,” he said.

The Thanksgiving holiday travel season spans seven days: from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 2.

You can book your reserved parking spot at flymco.com or by downloading the airport’s app on your smartphone.


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