MCO's Gate Link tram to Gates 100-129 now runs on its first rebuilt track

Orlando International Airport launched "upgraded tram service to Gates 100-129 via the Gate Link" on October 1, 2026. Passengers on "the first upgraded track can now experience new vehicles and modernized infrastructure", the airport said. WFTV reported that travelers "can now use a newly upgraded tram connection to Gates 100-129."

What changed

• The track: the first of the two Gate Link tracks to Gates 100-129 is rebuilt; the airport calls it "the first upgraded track" and names "the second track serving Gates 100-129" as the next.
• The cars: "Each new Gate Link set of cars that can carry up to 240 passengers", by the airport's release. WFTV gives the same 240.
• The project: the launch is "the first major service milestone in MCO's $253 million Gate Link Replacement Project", which is "part of a $6.9 billion Capital Improvement Program". "The work includes new running surfaces, power distribution equipment, vehicle controls, communications and operating systems, and platform screen doors."
• What it replaces: "The Gate Link system for Airside 2 (Gates 100-129) was placed into service in 2000."

When

• Launched: October 1, 2026, the date of the airport's release, which says the service begins "today".
• Next, by the release: "Crews will now upgrade the second track serving Gates 100-129 while the newly completed track carries passengers." After that, the project "will move to Gates 70-99, where both tracks, their trams, and supporting systems will be replaced and upgraded."
• The posted schedule: the airport's project page says "Work is scheduled to take place from December 2025 through Fall 2027." Its timeline lists:
• "Gate Link 4800 (Gates 100-129) December 3, 2025 – July 2026";
• "Gate Link 4700 (Gates 100-129) July 2026 – December 2026";
• "Gate Link 4600 (Gates 70-99) December 2026 – June 2027";
• "Gate Link 4500 (Gates 70-99) June 2027 – October 2027".

As checked on October 13, 2026, the page still showed the first track's "December 3, 2025 – July 2026" window, so the dates after it are the airport's posted plan.

Where

Orlando International Airport's Gate Link to Gates 100-129, which the airport's project page calls Airside 2. The next phase is Gates 70-99: "The Gate Link system for Airside 4 (Gates 70-99) was placed into service in 1990", by the same page.

What it means if you live here

• During the work: "One Gate Link is operational during daytime hours unless there is an issue requiring both trams to cease operations." The project page adds: "During normal operations, most passengers will experience only a few extra minutes in their journey, even during peak holiday periods."
• Late at night: the project page has a guide for the overnight hours: "The following guide should be helpful to passengers using Gates 100-129 primarily between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m."
• Picking someone up: "Travelers using rental car or ground transportation services are encouraged to allow an additional 30 minutes in their pickup planning."