Houston to Orlando (IAH–MCO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
IAH–MCO is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines, Frontier and Spirit Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 853 miles in approximately 2h 31m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: AD, NH, NZ | 48 | 739, 7M9 | 2h15-2h34 | Star Alliance | AD, NH, NZ | |
| F9 Frontier Also: Y4 | 14 | A21N | 2h37-2h41 | – | Y4 | |
| NK Spirit Airlines | 5 | 320 | 2h20 | – | – | |
| TWY TWY | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Orlando from Houston
| Metric | IAH→MCO | HOU→MCO | CLL→MCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from IAH | – | 24 mi | 74 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 133 | 46 | – |
| Flight time | 2h 31m | 2h 14m | 2h 25m |
| Departure OTP | 57% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
IAH: CDT · MCO: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Houston, it's 7:00 PM in Orlando.
IAH has no direct rail link to downtown Houston. The IAH Express bus runs from Houston Amtrak/Greyhound station via Park & Ride to Terminal C (60–90 min, $1.25 with METRO Q card). This is the only transit option; Houston's rail network does not reach the airport.Taxis from downtown Houston cost $50–70 and take 40–60 minutes. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) are typically $35–55. IAH sits 23 miles north of downtown on the North Freeway (I-45); traffic is heavy during morning and evening rush. Remote economy parking lots serve all terminals via shuttle.
Brightline trains depart from Terminal C to Fort Lauderdale (3h, from $30) and Miami (3.5h, from $30); this is the only intercity rail option from the airport. For Walt Disney World or International Drive, ride-hails cost $25–40 and take 20–30 minutes. Mears Connect shuttle buses serve the major resort areas (from $16 per person).Taxis are metered and available at Ground Transportation. Rental car agencies are in the Terminal B intermodal center; accessible by Automated People Mover from both Terminal A and Terminal C. All five theme park areas offer resort shuttle services but these require pre-booking.
Subtropical climate, warm to hot year-round. Summer (June–September) is the most disruptive season: daily afternoon thunderstorms arrive with near-clockwork timing and frequently cause ground stops at MCO, often delaying 3–4pm banks of departures. Heat and humidity can top 35°C with heat index over 40°C. Lightning density in central Florida is among the highest in the United States.
Hurricane season (June–November) brings occasional tropical systems. Orlando sits far enough inland to avoid direct storm surge but tropical downpours cause significant disruption. Winters are mild (10–22°C) with low humidity and minimal rain. January–March is the most flight-stable period.
IAH–MCO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IAH to MCO
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) are connected by nonstop service from United Airlines, Frontier and Spirit Airlines. With 133 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IAH to MCO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IAH to MCO is about 2 hours 31 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 853 miles (1,372 km). There are approximately 133 weekly flights outbound and 115 return, totaling 248 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Louis Armstrong New Orleans, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Houston (HOU), College Station (CLL) and Austin (AUS).