Orlando ‘airport of the future’ planned with VR ride, facial recognition
Orlando airport travelers can expect major changes at MCO and ORL, including a robotic-arm ride and no more boarding passes for flights, as the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority rolls out its 10-year plan.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board approved these plans on Oct. 15, 2025, and describes them as “a new strategic vision designed to guide the future of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) over the next decade.”
The changes for what the GOAA calls “the airport of the future” include:
- facial recognition and biometric scanning (“boarding passes are a thing of the past,” GOAA says)
- a new hotel
- 8,000 more parking spaces by 2030
- VR & AR rides (visuals depict a ride with a robotic arm similar to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Islands of Adventure and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment at Universal Epic Universe)
- a new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vertiport by 2030
- completion of Airside 2 gate expansions by 2030
- more space for passenger conveyance in Terminal C by 2030
- completion of Terminal C Phase 2 by 2035
- new landscaping upon arrival
- “new, autonomous wheelchair technology” for guests needing mobility assistance
- mobile food ordering
- Terminals A, B, and C being renamed to Terminals 1, 2, and 3
The plans are part of a $5.9 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for MCO and a $84.2 million CIP for ORL.
Here’s a look at the current site plan of MCO and a rendering of what it could look like in the future:
Some of the concepts in the Orlando airport goals will be less visible to travelers, but aim to improve the airport experience all the same. These include:
- completion of new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B by 2030
- a new cargo processing facility by 2030
- 40% more small businesses working with MCO by 2030
“This vision focuses and unites everything we do around one core purpose: delivering an exceptional experience for everyone who passes through our airports,” said Lance Lyttle, CEO of GOAA, a position he assumed earlier this year. “We’re creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and enjoyable, from the parking areas to the gate, so that every step of the journey feels seamless.”
“The board is proud to support a forward-looking vision that balances growth, innovation, and service to our community,” said Stephanie Kopelousos, chair of the GOAA board. “This plan ensures that as Central Florida continues to evolve, Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport remain world-class gateways that reflect the spirit, ambition, and hospitality for which our region is known.”
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What we all want to know, though, is will they keep the carpet design from Terminals A&B which was shamelessly missing from C?