Orlando Airport Renovations: Will the Iconic Carpet Survive?

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We’ve covered Orlando International Airport’s (MCO) future expansion plans. These include the following additions:

• Additional expansion of Terminal C, adding another 24 gates.
• Further capacity with Terminal D, currently in the planning stages
• A consolidated rental car facility
• Construction of a second on-site hotel
• Plans to build a vertiport near Terminal C for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL)

The airport has reached an important stage in its plans. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board has been informed about two procurement packages. These packages will help keep the construction of a new $2.2 billion Consolidated Rental Car (ConRAC) facility on track, which, when complete, will free up an additional 5,000 parking spots.

What About Until These Plans Are Completed?

While these future plans are great, Orlando airport still has the North Terminal Complex, consisting of 93 gates which service 8 out of 9 of MCO’s passengers. The North Terminal Complex opened in 1981, with designs more familiar in the 1970s than the 2020s.

The GOAA realized that while the North Terminal is outdated, with low ceilings, narrow corridors and traffic dysfunction, demolishing it or repurposing the space isn’t realistic. That’s why they’re going to renovate the terminals, which the Orlando Sentinel estimates will cost $1.7 billion.

Kevin Thibault, the airport authority’s chief executive officer, stated, “We need to show some TLC.” He emphasized that the renovations will extend the lifespan of Terminals A and B by at least 10 to 15 years. He added, “Terminal C can only do so much right now.”

According to the Sentinel, the renovations will start next year.

The physical layout of the North Terminal Complex will remain largely as it is today. What passengers can look for in coming years, with an immense amount of detail still in the works, is a modernized interior, a new lineup of stores and restaurants, and more comfortable seating that is digitally equipped.

There will be far less carpet and more terrazzo for the ubiquitous rolling carry-ons, additional and better restrooms, and a dramatically new way of renting cars.

What Do You Mean By Less Carpet?

Sure, rolling a suitcase over carpet isn’t easy, but there are reasons that airports use carpet instead of tile. While Terminal C has tile everywhere, it also features tall ceilings and cavernous atriums.

While I can see why the airport wants to remove some carpeted areas, they better not think about removing the iconic MCO carpet. It even has its own following on Instagram and Twitter.   If MCO removed all of the carpet in Terminals A and B, I think there would be many upset tourists. Just ask Portland about what happened when they changed the pattern of the carpet.

Final Thought

The North Terminal Complex, which encompasses Terminals A and B, continues to be the main hub at MCO, handling the vast majority of passenger arrivals and departures from its 93 gates. In contrast to Terminal C, this older building was designed for a smaller number of travelers when their needs were different. Since closing it in the near future is impractical, the airport authority plans to invest an estimated $2 billion to upgrade the facilities to meet current traveler standards. Upgrades will include improvements to the outdated baggage handling system and replacement of the older people mover trains. Additionally, there will be renovations to the main terminal building and a refresh of all restrooms in the four outer hubs.

While these renovations are greatly needed, I have concerns about the proposal to remove the carpet and replace it with terrazzo. Given the enclosed spaces, tile is not the best option due to the potential for increased noise. Additionally, I hope they don’t plan to get rid of the iconic MCO carpet.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary