Two BIG Problems With Orlando Airport Right Now

Traveling through Orlando International Airport (MCO) is already a hectic experience, but right now it’s even trickier than usual.

Orlando is one of the busiest airports in the country, and if you’re flying in or out anytime soon, you need to know what could complicate your travel. Between unpredictable Florida weather and new TSA rules that might catch you off guard, there are a couple of big issues travelers are running into right now. We’re breaking down what’s going on so you can avoid unnecessary stress when it’s your turn to head through MCO.

Weather-Related Delays During Hurricane Season

If you’ve traveled to Florida in the summer or fall before, you know that the skies don’t always cooperate. Right now, we’re in the middle of hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1st through November 30th, and that makes flying into or out of Orlando a gamble on some days.

Afternoon thunderstorms are already a near-daily occurrence in Central Florida during the summer, and when you add in tropical systems or hurricanes brewing in the Atlantic or Gulf, delays and cancellations start stacking up. Ground stops are especially common during heavy storms, meaning planes can’t take off or land for a period of time. That kind of delay has a domino effect — if your incoming flight can’t land, your outgoing flight can’t leave, and schedules quickly get messy.

Even if a full hurricane isn’t heading directly toward Orlando, airlines tend to cancel or re-route flights days in advance when a storm is expected anywhere in Florida. That can leave travelers scrambling for new connections or even stranded overnight. The tricky part is that this isn’t something you can really plan around — you just have to be prepared. If you’re flying through Orlando during hurricane season, we strongly recommend keeping a close eye on the forecast, signing up for airline alerts, and giving yourself extra wiggle room in your schedule. If you can, pack essentials like medication and a change of clothes in your carry-on in case your checked luggage doesn’t make it when you do.

New TSA Rules About What You Can Pack

Aside from weather delays, there are also new packing restrictions that might throw off travelers who aren’t aware of the updates. The TSA rules about what you can and can’t bring have always been a little confusing, and now there are two specific updates that are especially important for Orlando travelers.

Cordless Curling Irons

As of August 20th, 2025, cordless curling irons containing a gas cartridge or butane are only allowed in your carry-on bag. You can’t pack them in checked luggage at all. On top of that, the safety cover must be securely fitted over the heating element, and the device has to be protected from accidental activation.

Spare cartridges? Those are a no-go entirely, whether it’s your checked bag or your carry-on. This might sound like a small thing, but we’ve seen more than a few travelers surprised at security and forced to either toss their expensive tool or miss their flight trying to sort it out.

Portable Chargers and Power Banks

As of May 5th, 2025, portable chargers and power banks that contain lithium ion batteries must also go in your carry-on only. That rule applies to spare lithium batteries too, which means both your phone chargers and those external battery packs can’t be checked with the rest of your luggage. It’s easy to accidentally stash them in a checked bag and forget, but TSA is strict about this rule because lithium ion batteries can overheat and cause fires in the cargo hold. If you’re caught with one in your checked bag, you risk delays and the hassle of having your bag pulled aside.

For Orlando travelers, this is extra important because so many people are coming here for Disney World or Universal, where portable chargers are practically a necessity. Between snapping photos, using apps for ride times, and navigating the parks, your phone battery will drain fast, and most guests pack multiple power banks. Just make sure every single one of them is in your carry-on before you head to the airport.

Bottom Line

Flying through Orlando Airport is always an adventure, but right now, travelers are running into two major problems: unpredictable weather during hurricane season and stricter packing rules that could derail your trip if you’re not careful. A little extra planning can make a big difference, whether that’s checking the weather daily before your flight or double-checking your bags for anything TSA won’t allow. Stay prepared, and you’ll have a much smoother experience getting to or from the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Stay tuned to AllEars for further travel tips!

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What’s the biggest issue you’ve ever run into while traveling through Orlando Airport? Let us know in the comments below.

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