Approximately 137.6 million non-residents visited Florida in 2022. With 38% by air, this was a 12.9% increase from 2021 and the largest number of visitors in the state’s history.
With this in mind, the experts at FloridaRentals.com revealed the best and worst airports across Florida. The experts indexed all 19 Florida-based airports, ranking each destination against 14 factors to receive a score out of 100.
The brand-new index study reveals Melbourne Orlando International is the best Florida-based airport.
Rankings were based on several factors such as: number of scheduled outbound direct flight destinations, average minutes delay per flight, average minutes delay due to weather, average minutes delay due to security, average minutes delay due to aircraft arriving late, average cost of hotels within 5 miles (for 1 night), and percentage of all operations canceled.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport tops the ranking, achieving a score of 73.97 out of 100, the airport only has an average 7 minutes and 45 seconds delay per flight. Only 2.03% of MLB airport’s operations are canceled, 0.11% are diverted and 13.75% are delayed. There are 102 hotels within a 5-mile radius, with an average star rating of 3.33 costing and average $234.93 for one night.
“Melbourne Orlando International is one of the easiest, speediest airports, according to recent travelers,” a spokesperson for FloridaRentals.com commented on the study findings. “MLB recently announced a $72m terminal renovation and expansion project with nearly 86,000ft² of new facilities to be added including an expanded departure area with new gates, a new security checkpoint, and extended international baggage claim area.”
Here are the full rankings for Florida airports:
| Rank | IATA CODE | FLORIDA AIRPORT NAME | SCORE (/100) |
| 1 | MLB | Melbourne Orlando International | 73.97 |
| 2 | MIA | Miami International | 71.52 |
| 3 | TPA | Tampa International | 69.97 |
| 4 | DAB | Daytona Beach International | 68.34 |
| 5 | FLL | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International | 66.21 |
| 6 | MCO | Orlando International | 64.24 |
| 7 | SRQ | Sarasota/Bradenton International | 63.40 |
| 8 | RSW | Southwest Florida International | 62.28 |
| 9 | JAX | Jacksonville International | 62.16 |
| 10 | GNV | Gainesville Regional | 61.7 |
| 11 | EYW | Key West International | 61.62 |
| 12 | PNS | Pensacola International | 59.62 |
| 13 | TLH | Tallahassee International | 58.26 |
| 14 | PBI | Palm Beach International | 57.75 |
| 15 | VPS | Eglin AFB Destin Fort Walton Beach | 54.89 |
| 16 | ECP | Northwest Florida Beaches International | 51.27 |
| 17 | PIE | St. Pete Clearwater International | 39.23 |
| 18 | SFB | Orlando Sanford International | 35.37 |
| 19 | PGD | Punta Gorda Airport | 33.84 |
Ranking in second place is Miami International Airport, scoring 71.52 out of 100. There are 183 scheduled outbound flights from MIA, and 460 hotels within a five-mile radius. A night’s stay near MIA costs an average of $180.69 for one night.
Miami International Airport also has plans to improve, after recently announcing plans to open a private luxury terminal service for commercial flights in 2025.
In third place is Tampa International Airport, scoring 69.97 out of 100. With 93 scheduled outbound flights and an average 4 minute and 3 second air carrier delay. There are 274 hotels within a 5-mile radius of TPA, with Booking.com locations averaging 5.89 stars.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) ranked sixth even though Orlando celebrated record visitors in 2022 and ranked as the top U.S. travel destination. The new Terminal C is a big improvement, but still not complete and limited in operations compared to the other two terminals. More improvements are planned.
Placing bottom of the list is Punta Gorda Airport, scoring 33.84 out of 100. PGD has an average 21 minute 13 second flight delay, and an average 46 minute 24 second delay due to the aircraft arriving late. 28.49% of PGD’s operations are delayed.
“A trip to Florida should be an exciting, stress-free experience,” the study added. “Therefore, when choosing your Florida destination, it is always good to choose a destination airport you feel comfortable flying into. As airports continue to fund and expand their facilities, we hope developments should help to make passenger’s traveling experience into Florida more seamless.”
