On a regular basis, Orlando International Airport regulates screening procedures, each within a short duration. MCO security wait times range from 10 minutes to 1 hour or more, considering several factors. A flyer should be aware of the average as well as maximum duration to travel to/from Florida, United States. Additionally, one should know that the timing for TSA, CLEAR, customs, and other checks is dependent on the different terminals across which it takes place. Thus, the length of the process can differ at Terminal A, Terminal B, or Terminal C from morning to evening. To get through security quicker, the wait times should be inferred as per the specific terminal and the associated gates.
Average Security Wait Time at Orlando Airport
At MCO, USA, the average wait time for screening is from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. But keep in mind that this duration can fluctuate. The day of travel and the nature of the flight, whether domestic or international, can result in an increase or decrease in the Orlando Airport security wait times.
Orlando Airport/MCO Security Wait Times
Many gates are there at the MCO Airport to handle the huge footfall of passengers. This is why the security wait times for different gates are somewhere between 7-14 minutes.
| MCO Airport Gates | Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Gates 1 to 59 | 7 to 11 minutes |
| Gate 70 to Gate 129 | 10 to 14 minutes |
| C230 to C245 Gates | 9 to 13 minutes |
Note: To locate these gates or security checkpoints, refer to the Orlando International Airport map.
MCO Airprot TSA Wait Times
At Orlando International Airport, dedicated lanes are available for TSA security checks. Interestingly, the wait times for day and nighttime are different.
| A.M. Times | TSA Wait Times at MCO |
|---|---|
| 02:00 A.M. to 03:00 A.M. | 1 minute |
| 03:00 A.M. to 04:00 A.M. | 4 minutes |
| 04:00 A.M. to 05:00 A.M. | 8 minutes |
| 05:00 A.M. to 06:00 A.M. | 12 minutes |
| 06:00 A.M. to 07:00 A.M. | 23 minutes |
| 07:00 A.M. to 08:00 A.M. | 15 minutes |
| 08:00 A.M. to 09:00 A.M. | 21 minutes |
| 09:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. | 15 minutes |
| 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. | 17 minutes |
| 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. | 17 minutes |
| P.M. Times | Wait Duration |
|---|---|
| 12:00 P.M. to 01:00 P.M. | 8 minutes |
| 01:00 P.M. to 02:00 P.M. | 7 minutes |
| 02:00 P.M. to 03:00 P.M. | 21 minutes |
| 03:00 P.M. to 04:00 P.M. | 22 minutes |
| 04:00 P.M. to 05:00 P.M. | 22 minutes |
| 05:00 P.M. to 06:00 P.M. | 10 minutes |
| 06:00 P.M. to 07:00 P.M. | 6 minutes |
| 07:00 P.M. to 08:00 P.M. | 26 minutes |
| 08:00 P.M. to 09:00 P.M. | 17 minutes |
| 09:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. | 23 minutes |
| 10:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. | 6 minutes |
| 11:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. | 17 minutes |
Orlando Airport Wait Times for CLEAR
Passengers can expedite the time that is involved in the security checks through CLEAR membership. However, one must check the MCO Airport’s security checkpoint and business hours beforehand.
| Checkpoint or Terminal | Business Hours |
|---|---|
| Terminal A/B West Checkpoint | 04:00 A.M. to 09:00 P.M. |
| Terminal A/B East Checkpoint | 04:00 A.M. to 09:00 P.M. |
| Terminal C | 06:00 A.M. to 08:00 P.M. |
Note: For specific CLEAR wait time at Orlando Airport security checkpoint, contact the authorities.
MCO Reserve
Passengers who don’t have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+ can now use the free MCO Reserve service to schedule a time to go through airport security.
With MCO Reserve, travellers can plan accordingly, book a dedicated time slot for their group, and enjoy a less stressful security experience. When they arrive at the MCO Reserve lane, they simply scan their QR code, proceed to TSA for their boarding pass and ID check, and then go through the standard security screening.
Each terminals have its own MCO Reserve lanes, but spots are limited each day. Travellers can book their time slot up to 7 days in advance. The service is available from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for flights departing between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Orlando International Airport Customs Wait Times
The customs wait times at MCO are different for the US-based travelers and non-US passengers. Additionally, the overall duration may vary from one terminal and timing to another.
| Timing at Terminal B (Airside 4) | Average Customs Wait Time (For Non-US Citizens) | Average Customs Wait Times (For a US Citizen) |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. | 13 minutes | 14 minutes |
| 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. | 4 minutes | 4 minutes |
| 12:00 P.M. to 01:00 P.M. | 2 minutes | 4 minutes |
| 02:00 P.M. to 03:00 P.M. | 24 minutes | 16 minutes |
| 03:00 P.M. to 04:00 P.M. | 3 minutes | 3 minutes |
| 04:00 P.M. to 05:00 P.M. | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| 05:00 P.M. to 06:00 P.M. | 6 minutes | 2 minutes |
| 06:00 P.M. to 07:00 P.M. | 6 minutes | 3 minutes |
| 07:00 P.M. to 08:00 P.M. | 20 minutes | 9 minutes |
| Timing at Terminal C | Average Customs Wait Times for US Citizens | Average Customs Wait Time for Non-US Citizens |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. | 34 minutes | 29 minutes |
| 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. | 28 minutes | 27 minutes |
| 12:00 P.M. to 01:00 P.M. | 32 minutes | 26 minutes |
| 01:00 P.M. to 02:00 P.M. | 53 minutes | 34 minutes |
| 02:00 P.M. to 03:00 P.M. | 43 minutes | 33 minutes |
| 03:00 P.M. to 04:00 P.M. | 51 minutes | 39 minutes |
| 04:00 P.M. to 05:00 P.M. | 38 minutes | 29 minutes |
| 06:00 P.M. to 07:00 P.M. | 42 minutes | 28 minutes |
| 07:00 P.M. to 08:00 P.M. | 41 minutes | 25 minutes |
| 08:00 P.M. to 09:00 P.M. | 20 minutes | 19 minutes |
| 09:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. | 27 minutes | 27 minutes |
| 10:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. | 37 minutes | 29 minutes |
Note: The wait times for customs/immigration are monitored by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Lastly, Orlando or MCO Airport wait times tend to remain short. For expedited security screening programs, the duration is shorter. Depending on eligibility and requirements, a traveler can prefer special or conventional screening options. Likewise, the specific time needed for the process can be determined.
Read More:
How to Get through Airport Security Faster
What Airports Have TSA PreCheck in the United States
How does Airport Security, Clear, TSA, & Scanner Work
Frequently Asked Questions
To quickly get through the security, travelers can opt for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR programs. Also, they can reach MCO before time for the necessary checks.
The security checkpoints at Orlando Airport are generally the busiest during winter, especially amidst the festive season.
Presently, the security wait times at Gates C230 to C245, MCO Terminal C, is around 9 to 13 minutes.
From 04:00 A.M. to 08:00 P.M., the TSA PreCheck checkpoint remains open at Orlando International Airport, FL, USA.
19 minutes is the minimum customs wait time at MCO Airport Terminal C for U.S. citizens. Sometimes, it may take up to 1 hour.
The CLEAR Lanes at Orlando Airport Terminal A/B (West) open from 04:00 A.M. onward. It remains open till 09:00 P.M. on business days.
The official website of the MCO airfield is the best method to check the TSA wait times. The officials update the same every 2-3 minutes.
No, the wait times at Orlando Airport are different for each terminal because of the different number of passengers handled.
Whether it is a domestic flight or an international one, passengers must arrive at the Orlando Airport for quick security screening.
Yes, the security screening points of Orlando International Airport are open 24/7.