Melbourne Orlando Airport MLB Guide

I almost missed my flight out of Melbourne Orlando International Airport because I drove to the wrong Melbourne. I am not joking. I typed “Melbourne airport” into my GPS and it tried to route me to Australia. Took me a solid 30 seconds of staring at a 20-hour drive estimate before I realized my mistake. So let me save you some confusion and break down what you should actually know about this Florida airport, which goes by the code MLB.

Why MLB Instead of MCO?

Probably should have led with this: Melbourne Orlando International Airport is not Orlando International Airport. They are about an hour apart. MCO, the big one, gets all the theme park traffic and the massive terminal crowds. MLB, on the other hand, sits in Brevard County on Florida’s Space Coast and serves as a quieter, less hectic alternative. If you are headed to Cocoa Beach, Kennedy Space Center, or anywhere along that stretch of coast, MLB might actually make more sense than fighting the MCO crowds.

I have used MLB twice now specifically to avoid the chaos at Orlando International, and both times I was through security in under ten minutes. That alone was worth the slightly more limited flight selection.

Some History

The airport dates back to 1928, which surprised me. It started as a pilot training and aircraft maintenance facility, then the U.S. Navy took it over during World War II and expanded everything significantly. After the war, it transitioned into civilian use while keeping some military and private aviation operations going.

Over the past couple of decades, MLB has gone through real upgrades. Terminal expansions, infrastructure improvements, modernized facilities. It is not the same sleepy regional airport it was 20 years ago, though it still has that smaller-airport feel, which I personally appreciate.

What Is Inside the Terminal

MLB has two terminals. The main one is where you will spend most of your time, and it has dining options, a few shops, and lounging areas. Free Wi-Fi throughout, which worked fine when I tested it, though speeds were nothing spectacular. There are also charging stations near the gates, which saved me once when my phone was at 3% and my boarding pass was digital.

Baggage handling has been quick in my experience. Car rental desks are right there in the terminal. Shuttle services, taxis, and rideshares all operate out of the arrivals area. Nothing complicated about getting in or out, which is the whole appeal.

Airlines and Routes

Several carriers fly out of MLB, including both major airlines and regional operators. You can get direct flights to hubs like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Philadelphia, which opens up connections to just about anywhere. There are also seasonal routes that pop up, often to destinations in the northeast or the Caribbean. I would check the airport website or your preferred airline directly, because the route map shifts depending on the time of year.

One thing I noticed: fares out of MLB can sometimes be competitive with MCO, especially if you factor in the money you save on parking and the time you save not sitting in I-4 traffic. Worth running the comparison before you default to the bigger airport.

Economic Impact and Growth

MLB supports thousands of jobs in Brevard County, both directly and through the businesses that orbit around it. Hotels, restaurants, rental agencies, they all benefit from the airport being there. The local economy leans heavily on aerospace and tourism, and the airport ties into both of those industries.

Expansion plans are ongoing. The goal is to attract more airlines and boost passenger numbers, which would strengthen the airport’s position as a legitimate alternative to MCO. From what I have seen, the trajectory is positive. More people seem to be catching on to the fact that MLB exists and is actually pretty convenient.

Sustainability Efforts

The airport has recycling programs, energy-efficient technology in the newer parts of the terminal, and water conservation measures in place. New construction projects reportedly follow eco-friendly building standards. It is not going to win any environmental awards tomorrow, but they are making an effort, which counts for something in an industry that is not exactly known for its green credentials.

Tips From Someone Who Has Actually Been There

Arrive about 90 minutes before a domestic flight. That is plenty of time given the shorter lines, and you will still have a buffer if something goes sideways. Use online check-in and mobile boarding passes to skip the counter entirely.

The dining options are limited, so eat before you arrive or pack a snack. I made the mistake of assuming there would be more food choices past security and ended up eating a granola bar I found in the bottom of my bag. Not my finest moment.

That’s what makes MLB endearing, though. It is small enough that you never feel rushed or overwhelmed, but connected enough that you can get where you need to go. For Space Coast travelers especially, it is the obvious choice once you know it is there.

Community Ties

MLB does community outreach, partnering with local schools and organizations. They host open house events where people can come see the operations up close, which is a nice way to build goodwill in a county that is already pretty aviation-obsessed thanks to Cape Canaveral being right next door. If you are local and have never checked out one of these events, they are worth your time.