30 years later, Orlando airport's modern vision still soars (Davie, Goldenrod: movers, homes)

[chopchop0]

Great article on the design of OIA and how advanced it was for its time. For a city of this size, OIA is truly a world-class airport that offers flights to so many places. I'd fly OIA twice before flying JFK, Atlanta, or O'Hare once

Orlando International Airport turns 30: OIA planners were called foolhardy but now look visionary - OrlandoSentinel.com

[TedTLPN]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

Great article on the design of OIA and how advanced it was for its time. For a city of this size, OIA is truly a world-class airport that offers flights to so many places. I'd fly OIA twice before flying JFK, Atlanta, or O'Hare once

Orlando International Airport turns 30: OIA planners were called foolhardy but now look visionary - OrlandoSentinel.com

The main criticisms I have about OIA are all about the runway layouts. The fact there are no 09/27 or 13/31 options handicaps pilots and controllers. 17L/35R is not a timely option to those using gates 1-59. Does this concern affect Joe traveller? Maybe on a RARE occasion.

Other than that, I think it's a wonderful place to get in and out of as a driver. It's a wonderful place to set your laptop up and surf for free while waiting for a flight. Security is adequate, for pax; though the TSA ramp Nazis need to get a life when it comes to photographers.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

I've always liked our airport.

[brinkofsunshine]

I love OIA. The article definitely gets it right- you immediately feel like you're in Florida in there. The only other airport I really like is JFK's JetBlue Terminal... but even that includes a whole lot of walking and has a cold quality to it.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by brinkofsunshine

I love OIA. The article definitely gets it right- you immediately feel like you're in Florida in there. The only other airport I really like is JFK's JetBlue Terminal... but even that includes a whole lot of walking and has a cold quality to it.

Yeah T5 is nice compared to the rest of the dump that is JFK international

[Crane's Rooster]

I've traveled many airports around the country and always proud of airport upon arriving home. Some of my other favorites are Denver International, Providence and Charlotte. Random I know, I even like Reagan National for some reason but didn't like Atlanta, Logan or Dallas much.

[DavieJ89]

I love flying in and out of OIA, I always have

It gives you the impression of a clean and beautiful city. I also love seeing all the tract homes to the east, or downtown to the west as I fly over Semoran Blvd (on final descent), lets me know Im home

One thing though, OIA is HUGE. The property (both developed and non) takes up a HUGE chunk of land between 417 and 528 noth-south. Tradeport to Narcoosee east-west. That is a HUGE chunk of the city of Orlando

I used to use a great alternate route to 417 (when my epass was low on money) when I drove to Waterford Lakes to see friends. Id follow Wetherbee Rd to Boggy Creek than go south towards 417, than turn around and go north on Access Rd to Heintzelman Blvd, which turns into Goldenrod road once you cross 528, only pay a 50 cent toll, instead of the usual $3.75 I spent driving on 417 all the way to 408 than Alafaya

[Reptoid Humidian]

OIA is by far, the single most spectacular airport I have ever been in. And yes, you really do get to have the quintessential "Florida experience" in there. From the monorails to the multicolored neon lights, to the Veitchia Merillii palm trees, and the tropical damp smell of the airport, it is the unmistakable mystique of Florida! I had the pleasure of visiting it in 1984!

[Crane's Rooster]

Originally Posted by DavieJ89

One thing though, OIA is HUGE. The property (both developed and non) takes up a HUGE chunk of land between 417 and 528 noth-south. Tradeport to Narcoosee east-west. That is a HUGE chunk of the city of Orlando

This is very true, and also why it gives the deceptive appearance of the city density being lower than it is. A huge chunk of the city's land acreage is basically uninhabited whereas the actual developed areas of the city of moderately dense.

I will also think that given the sheer size of the terminal, they should have more people movers. walking from one side to the other is can be quite a long walk with elderly, disabled or young children. I know they have the people movers in the center but walking to those can be difficult for some.

[lr5497]

Originally Posted by DavieJ89

I used to use a great alternate route to 417 (when my epass was low on money) when I drove to Waterford Lakes to see friends. Id follow Wetherbee Rd to Boggy Creek than go south towards 417, than turn around and go north on Access Rd to Heintzelman Blvd, which turns into Goldenrod road once you cross 528, only pay a 50 cent toll, instead of the usual $3.75 I spent driving on 417 all the way to 408 than Alafaya

I used the same alternate to get to Valencia East from Southchase. I loved driving down Heintzelman Blvd and seeing the tons of cyclists daily sometimes taking up half the road.

I love our airport though, there's actually a nice variety of shops and restaurants to choose from. The international gates where customs are located is very nice, organized and set up conveniently. Much better than other airports I've traveled through; when everyone is done and processed through customs, a set of escalators go up right into the airside tram stop. The glass and modern architecture make it feel like a modern train station out of Europe or Asia.