Have you ever wondered how airports get their three-letter codes? These codes, known as International Air Transport Association (IATA) codes, are used to identify airports around the world. The process of assigning these codes is quite interesting, as they are not always straightforward.
When the Code Doesn’t Match the Name
Some codes are based on the city name, such as LAX for Los Angeles International Airport. Others are based on the airport’s name, like JFK for John F. Kennedy International Airport. And then there are some that are seemingly unrelated, like ORD for Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which is actually derived from its former name, Orchard Field.
There are many other instances where airport codes seem to have no apparent relationship with the names of the airports they represent.
- MSY – Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- OGG – Kahului Airport (Maui)
- DAD – Da Nang, Vietnam
Florida’s Airports Keep It Simple – Mostly
We’ve flown to all of these airports, so we’ve seen these codes on our luggage tags at one point or another. Living in Florida, we’re surrounded by airports with straightforward IATA codes. Tampa International Airport is TPA, Daytona Beach International is DAB, Jacksonville is JAX, and Miami International is MIA. All of these codes resemble the cities they serve.
That brings us to the one Florida airport that bucks the trend: Orlando International Airport.
So Why Is Orlando Called MCO?
It’s common for people to refer to Orlando’s airport as OIA, assuming that the airport’s code must match its name. But we’re used to calling it by its actual three-letter code: MCO.
Many locals don’t realize where that code comes from, but the airport’s official FAQ explains it:
How did the airport get the designator “MCO”?
The airport designator code “MCO” comes from the former McCoy Air Force Base, named after Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy, on which site, located at -81.08W 28.96 N, and at 113 feet (34 meters) above sea level, Orlando International Airport now stands.
Even though the local media often refer to it as OIA, the airport itself is very clear: they’re MCO, and they have no intention of changing that.
Even the airport’s social media team joins in to reinforce the name. Here’s a tweet they posted using a Simpsons meme to celebrate #NationalHandwritingDay:
It’s #NationalHandwritingDay! ✍️ This day encourages us to put pen to paper (or chalk to board in this case), and write out our thoughts. To commemorate the day, here’s an underrated, but valuable lesson: pic.twitter.com/vePjxeSh8R
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) January 23, 2023
MCO has invested time and money into associating the code with the airport’s identity, and they take it seriously—even when they’re having fun online.
Preserving History (and Avoiding Confusion)
Beyond preserving history, there’s a practical reason for keeping MCO. The code OIA has already been assigned to Ourilândia do Norte Airport in Brazil (though now closed), according to the IATA code database.
Changing an IATA code would be a major effort, and for most frequent travelers, MCO has become part of the experience. We like it the way it is.
Final Thought
First, people will want to change the IATA code, and the next thing you know, they’ll want to change the carpet in the terminal.
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2 comments
In my airline days, I always made boarding announcements as “flight xxx to Orlando McCoy.” Pretty soon got all my gate agents doing so.
Then again, I liked using airports proper names…. “Detroit Metro Wayne County” rolls off the tongue over the terminal public address…
Used to live in central Fla and it always bothered me how local newscasters referred to it as OIA.
I still love the carpet pattern in the terminal.
MCO seems to draw lots of ire among AVgeeks, often ranking in their most detested airports, but I don’t really get it. Sure, there’s tons of people, many of which are infrequent travelers, but with precheck and CLEAR, you move through pretty quickly. Decent lounge selection, fairly easy to navigate, and among the lowest average fares in the nation with tons of direct flights. Living in a smaller town now, I miss it!