Orlando International Airport has big plans for the future, including the implementation of air taxis, facial recognition technology for boarding passes, and the addition of thousands of new parking spaces. This $6 billion development plan will not only enhance the airport experience for travelers, but also transform the way they travel to and from the airport.
Parking is a major focus of the plan, with 8,000 new spaces set to be added in the next few years. To alleviate congestion, a parking guidance system will be installed, similar to the one used at Disney Springs, to inform travelers of available parking spaces.
This is welcome news for frequent flyer Chuck Kovaleski, who lists crowded parking garages as one of his top airport complaints. He also commends the airport’s efforts to reduce walking distances in Terminal C and decrease wait times for luggage with a new baggage-handling system.
In addition, the airport envisions a future with mass transit options, connecting the airport to Central Florida’s SunRail commuter line. This will give travelers the option to take a flight or the high-speed Brightline train to Miami and eventually Tampa.
Facial recognition technology will also play a major role in the airport’s future, with CEO Lance Lyttle stating that it will be used in place of tickets, passports, and credit cards. This technology will be integrated throughout the airport, from security to boarding, making the travel process more efficient for those who choose to opt in.
The airport also has plans to upgrade restrooms in older terminals A and B, which have been criticized in the past, and build new ones where space allows. This $72 million renovation project is set to be completed by 2029.
Terminal C, which opened in 2022, will see further expansion with the addition of 16 to 24 new gates and a $650 million upgrade to the baggage-handling system. However, a challenge for the airport will be keeping up with the growing number of passengers, which has led to overcrowding in terminals A and B.
As the busiest airport in Florida, with 57 million annual passengers, Orlando International Airport is also focusing on enhancing the dining and entertainment experience for travelers. This includes the addition of popular Central Florida restaurants and a virtual reality play area to keep passengers entertained during delays.
To address complaints about long walking distances, the airport plans to add more moving walkways in Terminal C and deploy autonomous, self-driving wheelchairs to assist passengers from curbside to gate.
One of the most ambitious projects in the plan is the addition of a vertiport, which will serve as a landing pad for electric-powered air taxis. These futuristic aircraft can reach speeds of 200 mph and are significantly quieter than traditional helicopters.
The airport also plans to switch from using letters to numbers to identify terminals, which is considered a more standardized and less confusing system globally.
Travel blogger Krystal Palace, who frequently visits Orlando’s theme parks, praises the airport’s recent changes in Terminal C, stating that