Charlotte Douglas Airport is the busiest in North Carolina and one of the busiest in the world based on aircraft movements. Expect crowded terminals and sometimes long waits to reach the gate after landing, but with these expert tips, you can navigate this mega airport with greater ease.
Terminal information and tips
CLT is a busy airport, and its layout includes terminals labeled A to E. Prepare for long walks, and when possible, use the moving sidewalks. If you have mobility issues, this is one airport where requesting wheelchair assistance will be well worth it and it’s your best option for navigating the distances.
How to get to and from CLT and Charlotte
Charlotte is only about 20 minutes’ drive from the airport, and it’s an easy drive from the heart of town. Unfortunately, there are not many public transportation options save for a bus from Uptown. It’s a direct link, but I don’t take it often as it makes many stops and the experience is not very pleasant. It’s too bad that the city’s light rail network does not go to the airport although there are constant rumors they will extend it one day.
Ridesharing, taxi and private car services are available to CLT, and this is my preferred option since there’s no need to deal with parking. An Uber or Lyft is your best bet. I’ve never paid more than about $30 from the center of town to the airport.
If you choose to drive, ample parking is available, but prepare for a huge traffic headache approaching the terminal. This airport was not built to be the major hub it has become, and construction at the main terminal is working to improve the arrival experience.
The roadways to the terminal are untenable for the traffic, especially with ridesharing services, buses and shuttle vans all vying for space. The airport authority says it’s working to build an airport “fit for a queen” (Charlotte is known as the Queen City), but she’s going to be a great grandma before it’s ever complete.
Parking at CLT Airport
There are several options including valet service, parking decks connected to the airport and offsite lots where you need to take a bus to get there. Many area airport hotels also offer parking for a fee, and you can take their free shuttle to the terminal. If you do park your car here, you’ll want to snap a photo of your spot. A lot of the lots look identical and that’s not a treasure hunt I ever want to repeat.
Navigating security lines at CLT
CLT handles high passenger volume each year, but most are connecting between flights and not using security lines. As American’s second-largest hub, security lines here are woefully inadequate for departing passengers.
Depending on the time of day, waits can stretch to an hour (I know better than to take a 6 a.m. flight). TSA PreCheck lines can alleviate the hassle, but there aren’t as many as there should be. Unlike some other airports, the security lines all funnel into the main airport terminals. This means that savvy travelers know to walk the short distance to another line to find one that is shorter. Often, lines at A and E terminals are shorter than those at B and C, which are in the center of the departure area.
Arriving from overseas? Good luck! The immigration and customs facility is too small for an airport carrying this many passengers. There are Mobile Passport Control lines, but there can be a wait when multiple flights arrive at once. These are shorter than the epic lines that result when Boeing 777s unload 200+ people one after the other. I always recommend travel companions have one of these expedited immigration options because it really comes in handy at CLT.
The space is so compact that from mid-afternoon to early evening (when European and many Caribbean flights arrive), some planes aren’t permitted to deplane into the terminal until more space frees up. Allow plenty of time for a connection because you need to clear immigration and customs after collecting your checked luggage.
Once landside, connecting passengers need to go back through security. You’ll exit near one of the checkpoints, but if lines are long, ask if there’s a quicker option at the other checkpoints. At times, it can be the difference between making a short connection or waiting for the next flight. I’ve been burned a few times until I learned this hack.
Airline lounges and alternatives at CLT Airport
CLT has nine lounge options, but that’s not enough for the volume of passengers. Get ready for long lines, and if you get in, to hunt for a seat.
American operates two Admirals Clubs and one Provisions by Admirals Club at its second-largest hub. The main clubs are located in Concourse B between Gates 3 and 5, and at the intersection of Concourses C and D. The B location is a decent size, but feels like a broom closet compared to the C/D club. Their one saving grace, in my opinion, is that they both have awesome airplane and airport views.
The Admirals Club is a membership-for-purchase network, but there are a lot of ways to get in (if you can find a seat). Travelers with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard receive annual lounge membership. If you’re traveling internationally in business class on American or a Oneworld airline, you can also enter. Top elites of other Oneworld airlines can access the lounge, even when traveling domestically.
The American Express Centurion Lounge on the Mezzanine level between Concourses D and E is perhaps the most popular lounge in the airport. Lines are all-too-common, and the single elevator to get to the upstairs lounge is laughably slow. Pro tip: Look near the elevator for a small sign pointing to a stairway. Few people use it, but it’s a faster way to reach the Centurion Lounge.
If you’re starting your journey in Charlotte, you can only enter the Centurion Lounge three hours before departure. But if you’re connecting between flights, there are no restrictions. Once inside, a hot buffet with plenty of salads and desserts is a tasty treat, and the open bar always has a long line. The airport apron views from this high vantage point are a hit with airplane nerds like me.
CLT has two Minute Suites facilities with private napping rooms, work space and a TV. It’s one of the few places you can go to escape the crowds. If you have Priority Pass, either by membership or through a credit card, you’re eligible for one free hour of use. Sadly, they’re often fully booked, but it’s worth checking both facilities (one is in the Atrium Food Court and one is in the D/E Connector near Gate D1).
The only other major lounge option is The Club CLT in Concourse A before reaching gates A21 and A22, open for paid access (starting from about $60) or Priority Pass access. Since this is the lounge Lufthansa uses for its evening departure, along with other long-haul flights like Etihad’s service to Abu Dhabi and Aer Lingus to Dublin, it can quickly fill up around that time. I’ve been turned away many times when trying to use Priority Pass to enter. CLT also has a Delta Sky Club and a USO Lounge for military members.
If you don’t have access to these lounges, head to the mezzanine space between B and C. Take the stairs up from the food court where you can find a less-trafficked spot to sit. The rocking chairs in the newly built A concourse also offer a quieter option with far less foot traffic.
A hidden gem at CLT for aviation enthusiasts
Charlotte was one of the first airports to introduce rocking chairs, and most of them are perfectly positioned for plane spotting. There’s a lot of action to see here.
For a real treat, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum is located on the campus of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. It’s a fun way to pass the time if you have a long enough layover to leave and come back through security. Among the exhibits is the recovered and reconstructed Airbus A320 from US Airways Flight 1549, the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane that successfully ditched in the river in 2009.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
