Flight Delayed or Cancelled at Orlando International Airport (MCO)?
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is Florida's busiest airport and a top vacation gateway. Many travelers are families on fixed schedules, so a cancellation can upend hotel and park plans.
Airlines and terminals
Southwest is one of the largest airlines at MCO, along with Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, American, United, and many international airlines.
MCO has Terminals A and B in the main building, with airside gates reached by trains, plus the newer Terminal C on the south side.
Your options depend on the airline operating or selling your ticket. Airline guides: Southwest, Frontier, JetBlue, Delta.
Common causes of delays at MCO
- Nearly daily summer afternoon thunderstorms
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (season runs June 1 to November 30)
- Airspace restrictions during some rocket launches from Florida's Space Coast
Crew and many maintenance problems are generally within the airline's control; weather is not. See our weather delay guide.
The DOT refund rule
The DOT refund rule (14 CFR Part 260) covers every flight to, from, or within the US, including flights at MCO. If your flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you decline the new flight and any voucher or credit, the airline must refund the fare, taxes, and unused paid extras to your original payment method. That applies whatever the cause, including weather.
A significant change includes departing 3+ hours earlier or arriving 3+ hours later than scheduled on a domestic trip (6+ hours international), a different airport, extra connections, or a cabin downgrade. Refunds are due within 7 business days for credit cards and 20 calendar days for other payment types. Accepting the rebooked flight or a credit generally ends the refund right.
Meals, hotels, and rebooking
On the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard, large US airlines commit to free rebooking and a meal or meal voucher for 3+ hour waits when the disruption is within their control. All except Frontier also commit to a hotel and ride for overnight disruptions. Weather and air traffic control usually fall outside these commitments.
A local tip for MCO
Before a hurricane, airlines often post travel waivers for Florida airports that let you change dates without a change fee. Check the airline's travel alerts page before you rebook on your own.
What to do
- Check the airline app before joining a line.
- Screenshot the delay or cancellation notice and the reason given.
- Write down scheduled vs. actual arrival time.
- Decide: refund or rebook before you accept anything.
- Keep receipts for meals, hotels, and rides.
- Follow up in writing with a clear timeline.
Related guides: Flight cancelled, Missed connection, How to request a refund in writing, All US airport guides. Not sure where to start? Check your flight.
FAQ
My Orlando flight was cancelled before a hurricane. Can I ask for a refund? Under the DOT rule, a cancellation for any reason, including weather, is covered if you decline the rebooking and any voucher or credit.
Can I request a refund if my MCO flight was cancelled for weather? Yes. The DOT refund rule covers cancellations for any reason, as long as you decline the rebooking and any voucher or credit.
What if I already accepted a travel credit? Accepting a credit generally ends the refund right under the DOT rule. You can still ask the airline, but it may treat the credit as your choice.
Create your letter
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