{
  "response": {
    "Key": "MCO-SJO",
    "orig": {
      "code": "MCO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Orlando",
      "fullCity": "Orlando, Florida",
      "airport": "Orlando Intl Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San José",
      "fullCity": "San José, Costa Rica",
      "airport": "Juan Santamaría Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "The flight from Orlando to San José is about 1,290 miles and typically takes 3 hours 10 minutes nonstop. The return leg averages 3 hours 20 minutes, about 10 minutes longer due to prevailing winds.",
        "methodology": "Flight times and distances come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes, nonstop flights operate from Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO) on JetBlue, Southwest, Volaris Costa Rica, and Frontier, with Frontier flying only on Saturdays while the others run daily. Combined, there are over 120 weekly nonstop departures, so frequencies are plentiful. The flight takes about 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes, and typical nonstop fares start around $221 with a median around $530.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. Carrier service, flight times and distances for this route come from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We report the days of the week and the departure times each carrier operates. The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time, given both per carrier and across all carriers on the route; where a schedule does not publish an elapsed time, it is derived from the scheduled departure and arrival times converted to UTC. Outbound and return times are computed by the same method, so the difference between them is directly comparable and reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in derivation. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two specific airports named, so an actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer. Where shown, on-time departure and arrival rates and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; where a typical fare is shown, it comes from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold. Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg. Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps. Stop counts, connecting hubs, and per-airline prices are drawn from a large sample of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. We group those fares by number of stops, by the hub airport a connection routes through, and by operating airline, and report each group's share of the sample alongside its lowest and median price.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines",
          "flight_schedule",
          "redeye_flights",
          "route_aircraft",
          "route_options"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in San José?",
        "answer": "From Juan Santamaría International Airport, you can reach downtown San José by licensed airport taxi (orange), public bus, or rental car. Taxis are the fastest and most convenient, accepting both colónes and U.S. dollars. Public buses run 24 hours with service roughly every 10 minutes during the day, offering the most economical option. Ride-share services like Uber operate but may face restrictions at the airport, so taxis remain the most-used choice.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355176469&title=Juan_Santamar%C3%ADa_International_Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2005-03-20T10:54:40Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan%20Santamar%C3%ADa%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T22:20:36Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamaria_International_Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport - Wikipedia",
            "time_published": "2005-03-20T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20airports%20in%20Costa%20Rica",
            "title": "List of airports in Costa Rica",
            "time_published": "2025-10-21T05:05:04Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamaría",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:46:26Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "No nonstop red-eye flights operate from Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO). Connecting itineraries whose long leg is an overnight flight do exist: Avianca offers a red-eye leg from Orlando to Bogotá departing at 11:40 PM and arriving in Bogotá at 2:45 AM (arriving in the early hours), with a connection onward to San José after a roughly 4-hour 45-minute layover.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "JetBlue, Southwest, Avelo, and Frontier all fly nonstop from Orlando to San José. JetBlue operates the most flights with 69 weekly departures and a typical fare around $780, while Southwest offers 28 weekly flights at a median of about $785. Avelo runs 24 flights per week, and Frontier has a single Saturday departure.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Orlando and San José?",
        "answer": "Common layovers include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston, which offer broad connections and efficient transfers."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?",
        "answer": "December to April is the dry season with sunny days and lower humidity, though crowds peak around holidays; May and November offer a balance of decent weather and fewer tourists."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for the duration of your stay, proof of onward or return travel, payment for baggage, and check if you need a visa or vaccination certificate for Costa Rica."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San José?",
        "answer": "San José has one main airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located about 20 km northwest of downtown. It serves all international and domestic flights, so you will use it by default."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Orlando Intl Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Orlando, you can reach Orlando International Airport (MCO) by public bus with Lynx routes 11, 42, and 51, which connect to the airport in about 40 – 60 minutes. Ride‑share services like Uber and Lyft, along with taxis, offer a faster door‑to‑terminal trip of roughly 20 – 30 minutes and are the most popular choice. Driving yourself is also easy via FL‑528 or FL‑417, with on‑site parking garages and economy lots available. The public bus is the most budget‑friendly option, while ride‑share and taxis are the quickest and most convenient.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_International_Airport",
            "title": "Orlando International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-30T20:55:24Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.orlandoairports.net/",
            "title": "Orlando International Airport (MCO)",
            "time_published": "2026-07-20T08:27:21Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco",
            "title": "Orlando International Airport (MCO)",
            "time_published": "2026-07-20T08:27:21Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://faa.gov/sfb",
            "title": "Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) | Federal Aviation Administration",
            "favicon": "https://faa.gov/themes/custom/faa/favicon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Executive_Airport",
            "title": "Orlando Executive Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T09:34:09Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at San José airport?",
        "answer": "There are no on-site hotels or sleeping pods inside Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), though some seating areas have couches where travelers sometimes rest. Several nearby hotels are connected by shuttle, including the Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall (0.76 miles away) and the Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport (1.11 miles away), both offering free parking and outdoor pools.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/costa-rica/alajuela/activities/costa_rica_sjo_airport_to_san_jos%C3%A9_hotels_nearby_private_shuttle-XF7A2K?property=SJOAP",
            "title": "Costa Rica SJO Airport to San José Hotels nearby Private Shuttle",
            "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/costa-rica/alajuela/activities/private_transfer_sjo_airport_to_jaco_los_sue%C3%B1os_marriott_hotels-XB84BN?property=SJOAC",
            "title": "Private Transfer SJO Airport to Jaco / Los Sueños Marriott Hotels",
            "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/guides/san-jose-airport-guide-cr.htm",
            "title": "San Jose Airport Guide (SJO) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "favicon": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/nitropack_static/oBWrHkPujHTPIaVWqdDSDhClXUyrYhhb/assets/images/optimized/rev-b853180/www.sleepinginairports.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-sia-logo-180x180.png",
            "time_published": "2018-10-02T00:00:18Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.hilton.com/en/locations/costa-rica/san-jose/sjo-juan-santamaria-international-airport/",
            "title": "Hotels near Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica - Find Hotels - Hilton",
            "time_published": "2025-08-21T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355176469&title=Juan_Santamar%C3%ADa_International_Airport",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2005-03-20T10:54:40Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?hl=gsw&id=com.frugalflyer.airport.sjo",
            "title": "Juan Santamaría Airport Info – Apps bei Google Play",
            "favicon": "https://www.gstatic.com/android/market_images/web/favicon_v3.ico"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "On the nonstop from Orlando to San José, the specific aircraft type isn't publicly listed in the schedule, though Southwest operates the route. Connecting itineraries most commonly use Boeing 737 MAX 8s on the longer leg, with other frequent types including the Boeing 737-800, 737 MAX 9, and Airbus A320 family variants, depending on the connecting city and airline. The exact aircraft can vary by day and carrier, but Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s dominate the one-stop options.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "No global airline alliance serves Orlando to San José nonstop — the route is flown by JetBlue, Southwest, Volaris Costa Rica, and Frontier, none of which belong to Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Orlando?",
        "answer": "Orlando International Airport (MCO) has several lounge options. The Club MCO operates two locations in Terminal A (Airside 1, near gates 1–29) and Terminal B (Airside 4), both open daily 5:00 AM–10:00 PM and accessible via Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or day pass. Delta Sky Club is located in Terminal B, Airside 4, available to Delta One, SkyTeam Premium, or Sky Club members. Terminal C houses a Plaza Premium Lounge (7:00 AM–9:00 PM), also open to Priority Pass and day-pass guests. All lounges are post-security and offer complimentary snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/MCO",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Orlando International Airport | Amex US",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-ca/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/MCO",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Orlando International Airport | Amex CA",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.orlandoairports.net/",
            "title": "Orlando International Airport (MCO)",
            "time_published": "2026-07-20T08:27:21Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://my.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/orlando-international",
            "title": "Orlando International Airport MCO Lounges - MCO Airport Guide and lounges. | Priority Pass",
            "favicon": "https://my.prioritypass.com/icon.png?a4ff481221414a5c"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://my.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/orlando-international/mco2-the-club-mco-gates-1-29",
            "title": "The Club MCO (Gates 1-29) MCO AIRPORT Terminal A Concourse 1 Orlando International | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Baggage rules vary by airline and fare type. Basic economy tickets often exclude a checked bag and may restrict carry‑on to a personal item only. Standard economy typically includes one checked bag and a full carry‑on, while premium cabins offer more generous allowances."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Orlando to San José?",
        "answer": "Flights from Orlando to San José typically offer Economy and sometimes flat-bed Business class, with Premium Economy uncommon on this route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare; flexible and higher‑cabin tickets often allow same‑day changes or standby, while basic economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}