About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Southwest Florida International (RSW) to Orlando International (MCO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Fort Myers to Orlando. While the landing approach favors the left, the takeoff experience from RSW is more visually distinctive—the Caloosahatchee estuary and coastal wetlands provide sharper geographic definition than the somewhat uniform lake-and-wetland landscape of central Florida. Right-side seats capture the more dramatic water features during departure.
What can I see during takeoff from Southwest Florida International in Fort Myers?
During takeoff from Southwest Florida International (RSW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Caloosahatchee River estuary and the coastal wetlands immediately east of Fort Myers as the aircraft climbs northeastward. The river's distinctive meandering pattern and mangrove-lined banks are clearly visible during the initial climb-out phase. Notable sights include: Caloosahatchee River estuary, Sanibel Island (to the southwest), Pine Island Sound, coastal mangrove wetlands.
What can I see when landing at Orlando International in Orlando?
When landing at Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views of the lakes and wetlands of central Florida during the descent approach to Orlando. The chain of lakes around the Orlando area—including Lake Apopka and smaller lakes—becomes increasingly visible as the aircraft descends from the southwest. Notable sights include: Lake Apopka, Orange County wetlands and lakes, Orlando urban area, Shingle Creek headwaters region.
How long is the flight from Fort Myers to Orlando?
The flight from Southwest Florida International (RSW) to Orlando International (MCO) takes 1h 15m.
What does the Fort Myers to Orlando flight path pass over?
Lake Okeechobee (visible to the left/south of the direct flight path), the Kissimmee River valley, and the transition from coastal southwest Florida through the interior agricultural and lake-filled regions of central Florida toward the Orlando metropolitan area