Are you planning on flying into the Orlando International Airport (MCO) this year?

Now, we don’t want to rush your trip and make you think about your journey back home, but there are five important rules that you should know before going through security at the Orlando International Airport.
Security can be one of the most stressful parts of flying, and we want to make it a bit easier for you! Here is what you need to know to help make your MCO security experience a breeze!

Download the MCO App
First things first! You are going to want to download the MCO app before you even fly into MCO. The app gives you super helpful information like flight updates, parking availability, and airport maps.Â

On your journey back home, you will want to use the app to check the estimated security wait times. This can help give you a better understanding of when you should arrive at the airport.

Follow the 3-2-1 Rule
Although checking security times is a good way to gauge your airport arrival, MCO recommends following the 3-2-1 rule, especially during the holiday season.

- 3 hours: Arrive at the ticket counter at least three hours before your flight
- 2 hours: Arrive at the security checkpoint two hours before your flight
- 1 hour: Arrive at the gate one hour before your flight
It is better to be at the airport early than it is to be late, so make sure to heed MCO’s advice.

Know your Terminal and Gate
MCO has three different terminals, and before getting dropped off, you should know whether you are flying out of Terminal A, B, or C. This is important because once you make it through security, you will need to take a Gate Link to your gate, which means you should also know your gate number.Â

No worries if you end up taking the wrong Gate Link, you can simply stay on board and take the Gate Link back to the security area to board the correct Gate Link.Â

Reserve Your Spot Using MCO Reserve
Are you looking for a free way to get in a shorter security line? Well, you are in luck! MCO uses Reserve powered by CLEAR. This is a FREE way to reserve your spot in line.Â

Simply go to mco.clearme.com and put your flight information in to reserve your spot in line. You are now able to make your reservations eight days in advance, as before,e you could only reserve three days in advance.Â

When it is time to go through security during your reserved time, you will have a grace period of 10 minutes either before or after your reservation to get in the MCO Reserve security line.Â

Bundle TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
If you are looking for the ultimate way to breeze through security at MCO, you may want to consider purchasing TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. While these services are not free, they can make your security experience easier. They can either be used alone or bundled together.

TSA PreCheck will allow you to have a modified security experience with its own dedicated line. Those with PreCheck do not have to remove their jacket, take off their shoes or belt, remove their electronics from their bag, or go through the new security scanners. Instead, those with PreCheck will get to walk through a classic metal detector.Â
CLEAR does not modify the actual security experience but instead makes the verification process more straightforward. CLEAR uses different biometrics to confirm your identity and also has a dedicated security line.Â

If you are looking for the ultimate way to skip the line, you can bundle both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR together.Â

There you have it! Make sure to remember these five rules when it is time for you and your party to fly from the Orlando International Airport.
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Yes flying into there on the 1st of March and flying out of there on the 6th of March.
Yes i plan to take a trip around April of this year.
Global Entry, good for 5 years, includes TSA Pre check. I dropped Clear after getting Global Entry/ TSA Pre check, since time for pre check similar to clear without pre check
Hoping for Fall 2025 right before my birthday in December