Orlando International’s Terminal C Welcomes Aer Lingus As Its 1st Flight

Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C is officially open for business and has already handled its first passenger flight. Aer Lingus flight EI35 from Manchester touched down at 15:27 on September 20th to become the first airline to arrive at the new terminal facility.

Orlando inaugurates Terminal C

Orlando International Airport’s $2.8 billion Terminal C facility welcomed its first flight on Tuesday following the arrival of an Aer Lingus flight from Manchester.

The flight was conducted with an Airbus A330-300 (registration G-EILA) and arrived at 15:27 on September 20th to a warm welcome.

Aer Lingus Executive Vice-President US Bill Byrne said,

“Aer Lingus has been a long standing partner flying year-round non-stop flights to Orlando International Airport from Dublin, and more recently non-stop from Manchester, UK since the launch of Aer Lingus UK in 2021. We welcome the opening of the upgraded facilities of Terminal C at Orlando International Airport, providing our passengers with an elevated customer experience.”

Unfortunately, not all went to plan at the new facility after some Aer Lingus passengers waited hours to receive their luggage. The airport’s state-of-the-art baggage system broke down, leaving dozens of travelers in the lurch.

Aer Lingus also offers non-stop flights from Dublin. Photo: Aer Lingus

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault told FOX Orlando,

“The issue we had with the bags was not Aer Lingus’ fault. It was the contract provider of the systems’ fault, and they acknowledged that in writing to us.”

For those interested in this flight (four times weekly), fares start at £189 each way when booked as a return leg as part of the airline’s ‘Take Off’ sale.

A new home for Aer Lingus

Following the arrival of Flight EI 35 on Tuesday, Aer Lingus will move into the new Terminal C permanently, with fellow IAG carrier British Airways to follow.

Simple Flying got a first look at Orlando’s Terminal C earlier this month. Key features inside the terminal include automated TSA checkpoints and biometric boarding for all international flights.

The facility, designed by the same firm behind the Tom Bradley terminal at LAX and Incheon International Airport to name a few, will increase annual passenger capacity by up to 12 million.

More carriers to join soon

Initial plans for Orlando’s Terminal C will see Aer Lingus and GOL set up operations immediately, to be followed by several other airlines towards the end of this week, including JetBlue, Emirates, Lufthansa and British Airways.

Aer Lingus operates its Manchester-Orlando service four times a week. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Brazilian carrier GOL earned the distinction of operating the first flight out of Terminal C and the second carrier to land following the arrival of a flight from Brasília later on Tuesday.

Do you have any flights at Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C coming up? Let us know your plans in the comments.

Source: FOX Orlando