Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a smoke-free airport. Smoking or vaping is prohibited throughout the terminals, gates, restaurants, and lounges. Special smoking zones have been set up outdoors at curbside locations on Level 1 (Arrivals) and Level 3 (Departures) of Terminals A, B, and C, but all of these locations lie outside of the airport’s secure zone, which means that connecting passengers will have to re-enter the airport and undergo the TSA process to reach their departure gates.
If you are a smoker who has to pass through Orlando International Airport, this one feature of the airport is something you need to be aware of. This guide outlines where and when you can smoke and how to organize yourself so as not to miss your flight.
Is it Legal to Smoke Indoors in MCO?
No. The Orlando International Airport was declared smoke-free on July 1, 2003, in accordance with the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act (later enforced by the indoor smoking prohibition constitutional amendment across the whole state). All tobacco products, be it cigarettes, cigars, pipes, other smoking paraphernalia, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices, are strictly forbidden on all premises of the airport, whether it be ticketing facilities, security checkpoints, concourses, gates, washrooms, restaurants, shops, and even airline lounges. In other words, there are no indoor designated smoking areas anywhere at the airport, no matter what your status as a frequent flyer or loyalty program member may be.
In that sense, MCO is following the trend set by most major US airports. Most major US airports, such as ATL, SEA, SFO, BOS, and FLL, for example, have declared their facilities smoke-free indoors over the last couple of decades, moving all smoking areas to the outdoors.
Where Are the Designated Smoking Zones at MCO?
All smoking zones at MCO are outdoor and curbside and can be found next to terminal entrances and not inside buildings. These zones have been mentioned consistently in both the airport guides and traveler discussion boards in these approximate locations:
- Level 3 (Departure): Outdoor smoking zones along the curb right next to the ticketing/check-in doors of Terminal A and Terminal B.
- Level 1 (Arrival/Ground Transportation): Outdoor smoking zones around baggage claim, the ground transportation curb, and pedestrian bridges to the parking facilities.
- Terminal C: Terminal C opened in September 2022 as a newer international and domestic terminal for MCO and uses the same formula — outdoor smoking zones at the curbside of its Arrival and Departure levels, while the interior of the terminal and gate area is smoke-free.
These zones are normally marked with signage and have ashtrays/disposal bins. They are situated at a certain distance from the terminal entrances, as usual.
The Fine Print: No Smoking Zone Beyond Security
That’s because MCO is not like those airports that provide a smoking lounge for people beyond the security check-point, or have an enclosed smoking patio beyond the security point, though some international airports still have that facility. At MCO, the case is different – once you clear the security point (by TSA) and reach the gate (Airside 1, 2, 3, or 4), you will have no place to smoke.
If you need a smoke during your layover, you need to:
- Go outside the secure area using MCO’s automated tram.
- Reach the outdoor smoking point outside.
- Re-clear the security checkpoint again and go to the gate.
Many independent travelers’ resource websites mention that the time taken to make this round trip is 15 to 25 minutes, though it can be more during peak travel hours. If you have a tight schedule, you won’t be able to complete this process – that is why frequent travelers who smoke prefer to have their cigarettes either before they enter the security point or after their last flight.
Do You Have to Choose Vaping Over Smoking?
No – vaping and e-cigarettes fall under the same rules as regular smoking per MCO’s rules. The clean indoor air requirements of the state of Florida, as well as the rules of the airport, do not make any difference between regular smoking and vaping. Vaping is forbidden in any indoor area of the terminal, even the restrooms, and it may be done only in one designated area outdoors, which is the same place where cigarettes may be smoked.
What Will Happen If You Smoke Where You Shouldn’t?
In case of smoking indoors or vaping outside of the designated area, you will violate both airport policies and Florida laws and might face a fine. Depending on the source, the amount of this fine varies and depends on whether this is a first or repeated offense. Anyways, travelers should regard any smoking fine as a serious issue, and apart from the fine, you might spend additional time being questioned by airport employees or law enforcement officers.
Useful Advice for Smokers Traveling via MCO Airport
Some useful advice for smokers flying via MCO Airport is:
- Smoking outside the airport before passing the security checkpoint. In case you are flying from MCO, take care of your nicotine craving outside the airport prior to going through the TSA checkpoint, as it will be much easier.
- Allow extra time for a smoking break during a layover. If you are planning a stopover, make sure to allocate 30-40 minutes for taking a break, which includes the trip by a tram, getting out of the airport and smoking, as well as passing the second security checkpoint.
- Carry nicotine substitutes to cope with withdrawal symptoms at the gate area. Since neither vaping nor smoking is allowed once you are airside, some smokers prefer to have nicotine replacement therapy at hand.
- Look for signs to guide you to the smoking spot. The design of MCO’s terminals (A/B terminal as one unified complex plus the new terminal C) implies that the place for smoking outside can differ depending on the terminal from which/into which you are flying.
- Avoid thinking that the lounges are an exception to the ban. The lounges of airlines (Delta Sky Club) and credit cards (United Club, the Amex Centurion Lounge, etc.) in MCO are indoors and are equally smoke-free like the rest of the terminal.
Conclusion
The policy of Orlando International Airport is quite straightforward, though it might be somewhat challenging for smokers: all indoor areas of the facility are non-smoking, and the only place where smoking/vaping is allowed is one of the designated areas outside Terminals A, B, and C – the facilities that are placed before security checkpoints. No exceptions for smokers can be made once you become airside, so you should either finish smoking or vaping before going through security screening or leave enough time in your layover plans. With the help of proper planning regarding MCO security regulations, smokers will manage to use the airport without problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, only outside. The smoking zones are designated curbside outside Terminals A, B, and C at the level of Arrivals and Departures.
No. MCO does not have any smoking areas, lounges, or decks that exist within the secure area. Once you pass through TSA screening, the only way you can smoke is by leaving the secure area completely and going through the TSA screening again to come back to your gate.
The act of vaping is considered the same as smoking a cigarette at MCO airport. It is not allowed in any of the terminals and can be done only in the outdoor curb-side smoking areas.
Since you have to leave the secure area, use the walkway or the tram to get to the curb, smoke, and then pass through the TSA screening once again, the process will usually take between 15 and 25 minutes or even longer.
Indoor smoking at MCO is both against the airport regulations and the Florida Clean Indoor Act and may cost you a civil penalty.