Atlanta to Orlando Flights (ATL to MCO): Nonstop Guide

Atlanta to Orlando is one of the shortest busy routes in the Southeast: about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes in the air, with no time change. As of recent schedules, Delta, Southwest and Frontier fly nonstop from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando International (MCO), with Delta running departures through the day from its hub. Both cities are on Eastern Time. Delta offers the most choice, but all three airlines add and trim flights by season, so check your dates.

Who flies Atlanta to Orlando nonstop

• Delta has the largest schedule. It checks in on the South side of Atlanta's Domestic Terminal and arrives at the B side of Orlando's main terminal. Because Atlanta is Delta's biggest hub, many travelers on this flight are connecting from elsewhere.
• Southwest checks in on the North side of the Domestic Terminal and uses the A side of Orlando's main terminal.
• Frontier also checks in on the North side and uses the A side in Orlando. Its basic fares include only a personal item.

Delta's network from Atlanta is on our Delta Air Lines page, and the airport layout on our Atlanta airport guide.

Fly or drive?

Atlanta to Orlando is about 440 miles by road, mostly on I-75, which is roughly 6.5 hours of driving without stops or traffic. Flying wins on time for a short trip or a single traveler, once you add the drive to ATL and two hours at the airport. Driving can make more sense for a family with a lot of luggage that needs a car in Orlando anyway, since rental cars and park parking add up. Traffic on I-75 through south metro Atlanta and around Macon, and holiday weekends on the Florida end, can add an hour or more, so the real gap is often larger than the map suggests. If you fly, price the rental at MCO before you decide; the fare grid on this page shows live flight prices to compare against the road trip.

Getting through ATL

Hartsfield-Jackson is huge, so the airline matters before you leave home. The Domestic Terminal has a South side (Delta) and a North side (most other airlines, including Southwest and Frontier), each with its own check-in and baggage claim. Use the right parking deck or drop-off for your airline. MARTA's Red and Gold lines end at the Airport station inside the Domestic Terminal, which avoids I-85 traffic from downtown and Midtown.

After security, the Plane Train underground runs between Concourse T and Concourses A through F; your gate can be a long way from the checkpoint. Allow about two hours on busy mornings and holiday weekends. Our Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck guide explains how to shorten the security line.

Georgia school calendars

Many metro Atlanta districts, including several of the largest, take a full week off in mid-February and another in early April, and schools start back in early August. That shifts the busy Orlando weeks for Atlanta families: February and April break weeks fill fast, and late July is the end of summer travel rather than the middle. September, after the new school year starts, is usually quiet at the parks but sits at the height of hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Our guide to cancelled and delayed flights covers what to ask for if weather wipes out your departure.

ID and fare rules

This is a domestic flight, so there is no passport control or customs. Even on a flight this short, the ID rules are the same as for any US trip: a star-marked Georgia REAL ID, a US passport or another TSA-accepted ID, required since May 7, 2025. Leave it at home and TSA ConfirmID is a paid backup (details on tsa.gov). Our REAL ID guide lists the options.

On a flight this short, bag rules can decide the price. Delta's basic fares include a full-size carry-on but assign seats at check-in. Southwest charges for checked bags on most fares since May 2025 and has used assigned seating since January 27, 2026. Frontier's basic fares cover only a personal item. See our guides to Basic Economy and airline baggage rules.

Connecting in Atlanta to Orlando

If you are flying from a smaller city to Orlando on Delta, Atlanta is often the connection. Book it on one ticket, so the airline rebooks you if the first flight runs late, and allow enough time to ride the Plane Train between concourses. Our layover guide covers how long a connection you need.

Flying to Orlando for a cruise

Many Atlanta travelers fly to Orlando to board a ship at Port Canaveral, roughly an hour east of MCO by road. Cruise lines and private shuttles run transfers from the airport, or you can rent a car one way. Fly in the day before sailing: a short flight is easy to rebook, but a summer thunderstorm or a missed connection on the morning of departure can cost you the cruise. Keep your ID, medication and a change of clothes in your carry-on in case checked bags arrive late; our guide to delayed baggage covers what to do.

At MCO

• All three airlines use Orlando's main terminal, so you will not need the train to Terminal C unless you are taking Brightline to Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
• Rental cars are on site, and most visitors to Walt Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld drive.
• Taxis and rideshare leave from the ground transportation level; Walt Disney World is roughly 25 to 35 minutes by road, and cruise transfers to Port Canaveral run from the airport too.

Tips for Atlanta travelers

• Park and check in on the right side of the Domestic Terminal: South for Delta, North for Southwest and Frontier.
• Take MARTA to the airport if you are near a Red or Gold line station.
• Book February and April break weeks early.
• See more routes on our flights from Atlanta page and other cities on flights to Orlando.