Which UK Airports Have Direct Flights To Orlando International Airport (MCO)?
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Booking a holiday to Orlando, Disney World and Universal areas often means flying to Orlando International Airport (MCO), but before you plan the Florida side of your trip you need to plan on where you can fly from in the UK. Not all UK airports offer direct flights to MCO, and some routes are seasonal, so knowing where you can fly from and when is important for comparing prices and planning journeys.
UK Airports With Direct Flights To Orlando International (MCO)
Here is the complete and up-to-date breakdown of direct UK-to-Orlando International flight routes for 2026/2027.
UK Airport | Airline | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
London Heathrow (LHR) | Virgin Atlantic | Daily |
London Gatwick (LGW) | British Airways Norse Atlantic | 6 flights a week Up to 4 times a week |
Manchester (MAN) | Virgin Atlantic | Daily |
Edinburgh (EDI) | Virgin Atlantic | Seasonal: - 4th April - 26th October 2026 (2 times a week Wednesday and Saturday flights but between 4th June - 9th July and 17th September - 26th October, it’s 3 times a week with an extra Thursday flight - from 31st March 2027, twice a week Wednesday and Saturday flights |
Routes are subject to change with the carrier.
How Long Is A Direct Flight To MCO From The UK?
The direct flight to Orlando International Airport from the UK takes, in average weather conditions, the following amount of time:
From 30th June 2026, all UK direct flights landing in MCO arrive and depart from Terminal C. To discover what this is like for a UK visitor who may be surprised with how baggage collection works, the MCO Terminal C: Complete UK Visitor Guide will help you feel prepared.
Do TUI Fly To Orlando?
TUI airlines does not fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO); they fly to Melbourne Orlando international Airport (MLB). You might be wondering why regional airports like Birmingham (BHX), Newcastle (NCL), or Glasgow (GLA) are not on the list above. TUI operates highly popular direct flights to Florida from all of these regional airports on a seasonal basis, which is convenient if you can get the dates you want. They fly exclusively into Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), which offers UK visitors a different flight and airport experience, but is still a direct route.
When it comes to deciding If you are torn between the convenience of a local UK departure airport versus a longer drive once you land in Florida, read our comprehensive breakdown of the best Florida airport to fly to for a Disney World holiday from the UK to help you decide.
Can I Fly to MCO from My Local Airport?
If you are hoping to fly out of a regional airport like Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, or Glasgow, you have a choice to make. Currently, there are no airlines that fly direct from these regional airports to Orlando International (MCO), so to fly from your local airport, you have to choose between two options:
Option 1: Fly direct to Florida from a UK airport, but fly into a different Florida airport.
Option 2: Fly to MCO, but take an indirect flight. If you are determined to land at MCO to be closer to the theme parks, you can start at your local airport and book a flight with a short layover. Popular routes include:
- Connecting through Dublin with Aer Lingus out of London Gatwick opens in a new tab (which allows you to pre-clear US Customs in Ireland),
- Hopping down to Manchester, Heathrow or Gatwick from your local airport with an internal flight
- Connecting through a European hub like Amsterdam with KLM.
Ultimately, you need to decide what matters most to your family: the convenience of a direct flight from home, or the convenience of landing right next door to Disney.
Which Airline Should You Choose?
Getting a direct flight is only half the battle; the in-flight experience matters massively when you have an excited family on a 9-hour journey. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways both offer excellent amenities, but they have different strengths regarding baggage allowances, kids' meals, and seat pitches, not to mention reliability.
To see how the major carriers stack up against each other for families you’ll want to choose the best airline to fly to Orlando, Florida from the UK for Disney World. While this will vary depending on your needs, the best option is usually a direct flight and that leaves only three airlines to choose from for UK tourists.
Do I Clear US Customs In The UK Before I Fly To Orlando International Airport?
No. If you fly direct from any UK airport to Orlando (MCO), you will clear US Customs and Immigration when you land in Florida. For direct fights from the UK you’ll collect your baggage and then clear customs. If you want to pre-clear customs before arriving in the US, you would need to book an indirect flight via Dublin (DUB) with Aer Lingus, or fly into a different US airport first.
Are There Direct Flights From Bristol Or Birmingham To MCO?
Not currently. You can fly direct to Florida from Bristol (BRS) and Birmingham (BHX) using TUI, but you will land at Melbourne (MLB) rather than Orlando International (MCO) and it’s a seasonal route. To reach MCO from these airports, you will need to book an indirect flight connecting through the UK with an internal flight, or through a European or US hub.
For UK visitors to Walt Disney World looking to fly non-stop to Orlando International Airport, there are only four airlines operating out of four airports serving the whole of the UK. While MCO is not the only option for flying to Florida from the UK, it’s the popular option.
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The next steps from here
Where To Stay On A Walt Disney World Trip From The UK?Helping you start the planning journey with where to stay, an overview of options, on-site and offsite, Disney resort categories and upgrades.Booking Flights To Orlando From The UKFind out about booking flights to Orlando from the UK, which UK airports fly direct to Orlando's biggest airport, costs and best times to book
MCO Terminal C Guide for UK Travellers: Arrivals, Immigration & Bags FirstFlying into MCO Terminal C from the UK? Learn what to expect at Orlando Airport, including arrivals, immigration, baggage claim, and transport.Questions About UK Airports Offering Direct Florida Flights
Which UK airports have US pre-clearance?
None in the UK, but Dublin does, which is why flying indirect via Dublin, Ireland is a popular option with UK travellers to Florida.
Where in the UK can you fly direct to Orlando?
In the UK you can fly direct to Orlando, MCO, from 4 airports: London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, and seasonally from Edinburgh.
How long is a direct flight from the UK to Orlando?
A direct flight from the UK to Orlando takes approximately 9 to 9.5 hours on the outbound leg. The return overnight flight is usually slightly quicker, taking around 8 to 8.5 hours due to favourable tailwinds
Is it worth flying direct to a different Orlando airport?
Yes, there are other options than MCO in Orlando, such as flying direct into Melbourne with TUI. This is worth doing if the price is right and it suits your holiday needs.
