Flight delays seem to be all too common these days, adding an extra layer of anxiety to summer travel, which is why nonstop routes have extra appeal. When there are no connections to make, catching flights and navigating airports suddenly seems a lot less daunting.
In my younger days, I would book a connecting route just to save a few bucks. Now I prioritize where I’m headed almost exclusively based on whether I can get a nonstop flight and save myself the hassle and fatigue of sitting in a connecting airport. And our local airport, MCO Orlando International Airport, offers new nonstop flights perfect for summer travel!
If driving is more your style, jump over to our romantic summer day trip ideas!
New MCO Non-Stop Flights
Fortunately, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a popular airport with a lot of attractive nonstop destinations. MCO is the busiest airport in the state of Florida (yes, even busier than Miami) and the 9th busiest in the USA. As of this writing, MCO airport services 170 nonstop flights – 56 international and 113 domestic. What Orlandoans might not know is that new flights are always being added, so it pays to stay up-to-date with MCO’s latest news.
I asked MCO about what exciting new destinations are landing for summer travel and discovered some exciting new additions, including three new routes to Europe! Now is the time to book if you see some locales here that have been on your bucket list.
And if you’re one of those spontaneous types who’s packed and ready to go wherever the ticket is cheapest, check out the lowest fares right now on MCO’s Deals Page.
Paris (CDG) with Air France-KLM
After a 13-year hiatus, Orlando and Paris are finally directly connected again, thanks to a new route with Air France that began May 21. The nonstop route will run four times per week, year-round, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, flying the new flagship aircraft, the Airbus A350-900.
For Delta loyalists and Delta American Express cardholders, this is an exciting addition because Air France and Delta are SkyTeam Alliance airlines, which means you can redeem and earn points with Delta miles. Travelers can choose to fly in Business, Premium, or Economy seats on this transatlantic route, but no matter where you’re sitting, everyone gets complimentary Champagne. Bon Voyage!
Related post: France-Inspired Date Ideas in Orlando
Munich (MUC) with Discover Airlines
Discover Airlines has added a new direct German flight from MCO to Munich (MUC). It’s the second direct German destination available to Orlandoans, on top of an already existing Discover flight to Frankfurt (FRA). If you want to travel to southern Germany, Austria, the Alps, and Oktoberfest (remember, it’s celebrated in September), then this Munich route is for you.
Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) with Virgin Atlantic
No other airline was operating a direct connection to Edinburgh at MCO before Virgin Atlantic added this flight to Orlando’s international nonstop roster. The flights run twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Book now to be in Edinburgh in August for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Or start saving to indulge in Scotland’s most luxurious train ride—The Belmond Royal Scotsman.
Austin, TX (AUS) with Frontier Airlines
Before you start groaning about Frontier’s hidden fees, the airline is actually offering an incredible deal for summer travelers who want to pack in multiple trips.
The Frontier Go Wild Pass is an all-you-can-fly pass, and it has three tiers: annual ($599), summer ($399), and monthly ($99). Right now, all tiers are on sale, and each one includes free bags. The Go Wild pass comes at a great time for Orlandoans as the airline added four new destinations from MCO this spring, including Austin, home to breakfast tacos, barbecue, and summer boating adventures on Lady Bird Lake.
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) with Frontier Airlines
Getting over to the West Coast can often be pricier than flying across the Atlantic. Frontier’s new connection to Los Angeles could be an affordable way to have a bicoastal summer. Use it as a gateway to making that Highway 1 road trip you’ve always wanted to take, or hop on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight—one of America’s most scenic train routes.
Speaking of Amtrak, don't forget there is frequent service between Orlando and Tampa via train!
Sacramento, CA (SMF) with Alaska Airlines
Sacramento is not only a new destination for Frontier, but also a brand-new destination for MCO, with no other airline servicing this route nonstop. If it’s Yosemite National Park that you have your eye on for this summer, then this is a great airport to fly into.
Don't forget, Florida is home to 11 National Parks!
San Francisco, CA (SFO) with Frontier Airlines
This cross-country route operates daily, so you can customize your trip dates to your most desirable window of time. SF is the heartbeat of Silicon Valley, with plenty of history, art, and architecture here if you can see past all the tech-bros.
But recently, I used SFO as my gateway to wine country, Napa, and Sonoma Valley. Here, I took the Napa Valley Wine Train, an all-inclusive experience aboard a vintage Pullman train that includes white cloth dining (get the braised short ribs) and wine tastings throughout the valley.
Greenville/Spartanburg, SC (GSP) with Breeze Airways
South Carolina’s upcountry region is actually a secret luxurious summer getaway for cycle enthusiasts, winos, and foodies. European cycling culture has taken root at Hotel Domestique, an Old World-style, French-influenced mountain wellness lodge that rolls out the red carpet for cyclists, including an onsite mechanic, resident cycle guides, pro bike rentals, custom routes, and cold plunges for recovery.
Plus, a 20-year running food festival, Euphoria, happens every September in Greenville. This, combined with horseback rides to waterfalls makes the destination great for couples. Now you can fly there directly from MCO, only with Breeze Airways.
Oklahoma City, OK (OKC) with Frontier Airlines or Tulsa, OK with Southwest
Take a 5-day trip to the Sooner State this summer with a nonstop service that operates to Oklahoma City on Mondays and Fridays. Oklahoma City shares Orlando’s mid-century modern vibe. You can see that in retro hotels like Classen Inn, and vintage stores that dot the downtown.
But there’s plenty more to keep you busy this summer in OKC, including the First Americans Museum, the Stars & Stripes River Festival, and the Bricktown Entertainment District.
Fayetteville, AR (FAY) with Breeze Airways
Northwest Arkansas may not be on your radar, but it should be. A mountain town in the Ozarks with big Asheville energy, Fayetteville is a hot spot for rock climbers, foodies, and beer connoisseurs (there are over 21 breweries). Nearby in Bentonville is Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, an expansive museum built to harmonize with the surrounding nature of the Ozarks.
Fayetteville is also your gateway to Eureka Springs, AR, a kind of New Orleans in the mountains with jazz music, art, Victorian architecture, antique shops, and haunted hotels and ghost tours. By the way, if you love the sound of jazz plan a date at one of the places to hear live jazz in Orlando.
If your ears perked at the word “springs,” then know you’re not far from Hot Springs National Park.
Key West, FL (EYW) with Breeze Airways
Say goodbye to the 7-8 hour drive from Orlando to the southernmost point. Now you can get there in just an hour and 15 minutes, starting June 12.
Breeze Airways is the only airline operating this nonstop route from MCO, set to operate Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays on Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Sure, Key West is hot in the summer, but it’s also the best time of year to take advantage of the lowest rates at hotels. Summertime events are still aplenty, like the Hemingway look-alike contest, the swim-around-the-island competition, a marlin tournament, and the Key Lime festival. Check out their calendar of events and plan your trip and book your stay at my personal favorite Key West Hotel, The Casa Marina.
Want more romantic getaway ideas? Browse the Getaways section of our site for suggestions, frequently updated!
