Orlando MCO adds 7-day TSA reservations

Orlando International Airport is pushing a holiday-weekend option that lets travelers reserve a TSA checkpoint time before they reach the terminal. The service, called MCO Reserve, allows passengers to book a screening slot up to seven days before departure, according to an AOL travel update published Saturday. Orlando is also AAA’s top domestic Memorial Day destination this year, adding pressure at one of Florida’s busiest airports. The timing matters because AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel over the Memorial Day period from May 21 through May 25. AAA said Orlando ranked first among the top domestic destinations in its booking data, while domestic air travel is projected to reach 3.66 million passengers nationwide. ### How does the reservation system actually work? (aol.com) MCO Reserve lets departing passengers choose a TSA screening appointment before arriving at Orlando International Airport, according to AOL’s Saturday report. The service applies to security screening rather than airline check-in, and the booking window opens as early as seven days before a flight. The program is aimed at the airport security step that often becomes less predictable during peak travel periods. (newsroom.aaa.com) AOL reported the feature as part of its Memorial Day travel guidance for Orlando, where the airport is expecting heavy passenger volume over the holiday stretch. ### Why is Orlando drawing extra attention this weekend? AAA said Orlando is the top U.S. domestic destination for Memorial Day weekend based on booking data. (aol.com) The travel group’s ranking puts Orlando ahead of other large leisure markets as travelers head to theme parks, cruises and short holiday breaks. Florida volumes are also high beyond Orlando alone. (aol.com) AOL reported that more than 2.7 million people are expected to travel in Florida over the holiday period, including about 900,000 passengers at MCO. ### What problem is MCO Reserve trying to solve? Holiday travel usually compresses demand into a few hours each day, especially in the morning and before major departure banks. (newsroom.aaa.com) AOL framed MCO Reserve as one way for passengers to manage TSA wait times during Memorial Day travel, alongside checking checkpoint conditions and planning around the airport’s busiest days. (aol.com) AAA’s broader forecast points to the same pressure. The group said domestic flights are slightly cheaper than a year ago on average, but volume is still rising, with air travelers accounting for 8% of all Memorial Day trips. ### Does a reservation replace normal airport prep? A TSA reservation slot covers the security-line step, not the rest of the departure process. (aol.com) Travelers still need to account for airline bag drop, parking, terminal traffic and any changes in checkpoint conditions on the day of travel. That distinction is reflected in AOL’s guidance, which treated MCO Reserve as one tool for navigating crowds rather than a substitute for arriving early. (newsroom.aaa.com) The airport’s own web properties show Orlando already uses reservation systems for other traveler services, including parking, though the accessible pages returned in search were separate from the TSA-booking feature described by AOL. That indicates MCO is already steering passengers toward advance trip planning across multiple parts of the airport journey. ### What should travelers watch next? (aol.com) May 25 is the last day of AAA’s Memorial Day travel window, and airport traffic patterns typically shift as outbound holiday departures give way to return trips. Travelers looking for Orlando-specific updates can monitor MCO wait-time guidance and the airport’s reservation tools as the weekend continues. (newsroom.aaa.com) (parking.orlandoairports.net)