domestic · 2h 30m · 1,223 km
Orlando to Washington
2 airlines · 2 aircraft ranked
In economy, United's Economy (737-900ER) dominates the field with a 4.2/10.United is the only carrier offering first class on this route, scoring 2.8/10.
Quick pick
Fly United. It has 2 more inches of legroom and free Wi-Fi (paid on Frontier).
Worth picking even at a small price premium.
Select two airlines to compare head-to-head
Data verified June 2026
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Airlines on this route
Flying with family
- Seatback screens on United. Frontier: bring your own device.
- Most legroom: United (30"). Least: Frontier (28"). That 2" difference matters with kids.
Route insights
- In economy, United's Economy (737-900ER) dominates the field with a 4.2/10.
- United is the only carrier offering first class on this route, scoring 2.8/10.
Frequently asked
Which is better in economy: United or Frontier on MCO-IAD?
Economy (United Airlines, 737-900ER) dominates Economy (Frontier Airlines, A320neo) in economy, scoring 4.2/10 vs 2.2. The deciding factor: a 10" screen vs none. Frontier Airlines fights back on seat width.
What are the best seats in United United First on MCO-IAD?
Best: Row 1 has the most legroom as a bulkhead. 1A and 1F offer the most privacy with the wall on one side. Row 2 is the sweet spot between legroom and storage (bulkhead rows lack under-seat storage). Avoid: Row 5 seats 5A/5B do not recline; 5E/5F have roughly half the recline of other First rows. This is the biggest seat trap on the 737-900ER. Signature Interior with Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seats, 13-inch HD seatback touchscreens with Bluetooth audio, USB-A and USB-C at every seat plus AC outlet. Complimentary meal service on flights over 800 miles; snack basket on shorter flights. ViaSat Ka-band WiFi free for MileagePlus members. Starlink awaiting FAA certification for 737-900ER, expected during 2026. Majority of fleet retrofitted to Signature Interior; some older aircraft remain.
What are the best seats in United Economy on MCO-IAD?
Best: Exit row 21 has 38.8 inches of pitch — more than First Class. The 2-seat side rows 20-21 are the best economy seats on the plane. Rows 7-14 are Economy Plus with 33-34-inch pitch. Avoid: Last row (row 33) has severely limited or no recline due to the rear lavatory wall. Rows 32-33 experience galley noise and lavatory traffic. Middle seats (B, E) in any row are the tightest at 30-inch pitch. Signature Interior with 10-inch HD seatback touchscreens and Bluetooth audio. USB-A and USB-C at every seat plus shared AC outlets. ViaSat Ka-band WiFi free for MileagePlus members. 42 Economy Plus seats in rows 7-14 have 33-34-inch pitch; 117 standard Economy seats have 30-inch pitch. Three sub-variants exist (39/42/45 Economy Plus seats); Version 2 with 42 E+ is most common (~84 of ~99 aircraft).
What are the best seats in Frontier Economy on MCO-IAD?
Best: Exit row seats for extra legroom without paying for Stretch. Avoid: Last row has no recline and lavatory proximity. All middle seats are uncomfortable at 28-inch pitch. 28-inch pitch ties Spirit for the tightest in the US industry. No wifi, no power outlets, no seatback screens, no streaming entertainment. Tray tables are approximately 50% smaller than standard. All food and beverages are buy-on-board. Individual air nozzles and overhead reading lights are available. Exit row seats on the A320/A321 family offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.