Not many airports claim they are almost an attraction in themselves, but Orlando has no inhibitions about it. It is, according to the publicists, one of the most beautiful, sophisticated and environmentally concerned in the US.
The setting, you have to admit, is great. Lakes, islands and Florida's extravagent vegetation is there to be admired through the glass walls of the newest and most impressive of the airside terminals. Travel to the main terminal on the enclosed passenger shuttle and you are treated to a review of the marvellous Florida environment. Once you arrive in the main terminal building it has better shopping facilities than many US airports, a fact appreciated by the increasing numbers of international passengers. The terminal, on three levels, also has a varied selection of restaurants, catering outlets and other services.
At one end of the building is the Hyatt Regency Hotel which has an attractive eight floor atrium. There is also a roof top garage in addition to the airport's two large parking garages.
But... and there usually is a but where airports are concerned... Orlando is a busy place and getting busier. That means it is not exempt from the usual irritants. If you are an airport fanatic - and they do exist - the occasional check-in delay and, for international passengers, the variable speed of the US customs and immigration services will not worry you. Travelers, mostly, like Orlando and beyond the publicity it is pleasant and efficient. It has to be to serve over 30 million passengers a year.
Much of the traffic is vacation oriented but for business flyers one of Orlando's greatest attractions is that you can quickly leave it behind you - no disrespect intended. The airport is served by an efficient road system linked to major state highways.
As a major cargo center, which handles a huge amount of the State's flower and plant exports, it has impressive facilities for those who have to do business on site.
So far Orlando has kept abreast of the people moving game. It is already looking to build a fourth runway and another airside terminal as passenger numbers soar beyond the 30 million mark. Some forecasters see capacity for as many as 100 million and design concepts for a second major terminal are in the computer. If it all comes to pass Orlando International may not be so much of an attraction in itself.
