Style overruled pratical things like people movers, but upgrades are planned by 2024.
But I prefer Terminal C if picking up or dropping people off. The other terminal is a zoo in that regard.
Orlando International Airport upgrading terminals for growth
Terminal C Upgrades
Expecting growth to keep going, MCO leaders are already in the process of upgrading Terminal C by adding projects that were put on hold during the pandemic and preparing for renovations in the original Terminals A and B. These projects include:
Moving Walkways
Pedestrian Bridge
Seating Areas
Additional Gates
Crews are currently constructing a pedestrian bridge that will connect Terminal C directly to the Intermodal Terminal, allowing passengers to connect to MCO terminal trams and Brightline trains. This bridge will allow passengers to avoid walking through the parking garage as they must do now.
Moving walkways will also be installed within the pedestrian bridge, and throughout Terminal C itself, retrofitting areas for the walkways post-security.
“Some of it was how can we help with walking distance and that’s what we’re doing now and we’re not stopping there,” Thibault said. “We’re looking at other features that we can implement. We’re looking at more room for seating, and as this area grows, we’re putting in more seating, more interior landscaping, more trees, and so on to build on those added features.”
They expect the pedestrian bridge and moving walkway to be completed in 2024.
Crews are also in the process of building 8 narrow body gates that were in the original plans for Terminal C, but also put on hold due to funding uncertainty during the pandemic.
The additional gates under construction now will open by the end of 2025, expanding capacity for an additional 3-5 million passengers.
Long term, Thibault said Phase II expansions include an additional 16 to 24 gates built at Terminal C.
Thibault said short-term and long-term planning is focused on keeping up with growth.
“We’re actually getting out in front of where this growth is taking us so we can keep ahead,” Thibault said. “Having the size (12,000 acres) gives us the ability to grow and handle growth without impacting Terminals A and B, so in the master plan we envision Terminal D on the other side of the train station, mirror image of Terminal C, so as we grow we have a plan to follow that says this is how we handle that growth