November 20, 2017 – Thanksgiving holiday travel is underway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This week, the busiest travel days will be Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday - Monday after Thanksgiving. Originating passenger traffic (travelers who begin and end their trip at CLT) will peak on Sunday with a projected 31,160 flyers.
| Projected Originating Passenger Numbers | |
| Monday, November 20, 2017 | 20,980 |
| Tuesday, November 21, 2017 | 29,610 |
| Wednesday, November 22, 2017 | 30,160 |
| Thursday, November 23, 2017 | 13,340 |
| Friday, November 24, 2017 | 18,600 |
| Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 27,270 |
| Sunday, November 26, 2017 | 31,160 |
| Monday, November 27, 2017 | 29,400 |
| Tuesday, November 28, 2017 | 22,970 |
*The numbers above are in addition to the approximately 100,000 passengers who connect through CLT daily.
Airlines report flights will be near capacity. Industry experts are predicting a 3 percent increase overall in flyers this holiday season. To ensure a smooth traveling experience, passengers should plan ahead, be prepared and arrive early to the Airport.
Parking in High Demand
Parking will be in high demand Tuesday, November 21 – Sunday, November 26 and available on a first come, first served basis. CLT has added more than 1,700 parking spaces to Long Term Lot 2 this year. Long Term parking typically reaches capacity first. Be sure to visit parking.charlotteairport.com to view CLT's real-time parking map or call 704.359.5555 to hear the latest parking conditions.
Drivers are encouraged to use the Hourly Deck for picking up and dropping off passengers. It's steps from the terminal, and the first hour is free.
CLT Relocates Cell Phone Lot
CLT's newly relocated Cell Phone Lot is another option for picking up family and friends. Drivers may enter the lot directly off Josh Birmingham Parkway. The 150-space lot has one center aisle, making it easy to enter and exit. The new location is adjacent to Long Term Lot 1 and allows drivers direct access to the terminal via Josh Birmingham Parkway.
Rental Car Road Closure
CLT visitors also should note Rental Car Road is now permanently closed to the public. Access will be given only to authorized vehicles. Anyone headed to the terminal must use Josh Birmingham Parkway. View the map for more details.
Terminal Renovations
Inside the Airport, terminal renovations are underway on Concourses A, B and C. During renovations, Airport operations will not be interrupted. Passengers, however, will see open ceilings and bare concrete flooring in some areas.
Security Checkpoints
Security checkpoints will open Tuesday, November 21-Wednesday, November 22 and Saturday, November 25 - Monday, November 26 as follows: Checkpoints A & B – 3:30 a.m.; Checkpoint C – 5:15 a.m.; Checkpoint D – 5 a.m. and Checkpoint E - 6:15 a.m.
Checkpoint assistance agents will be stationed at the entrance of each checkpoint to help expedite the screening process.
CLT Passenger Amenities
CLT continues to offer free WiFi throughout the terminal. Select the network "CLT Free WiFi" to be connected. For mothers flying with infants, the Mother's Room provides a dedicated area for mothers who wish for more privacy to nurse their baby or pump breast milk away from the intrusion of the public. It is located on the upper level of the Atrium.
To accommodate the high passenger volumes this Thanksgiving, CLT plans to:
• Add more personnel to Airport shuttle bus and parking operations.
• Increase Airport staff in Ticketing.
• Station additional traffic officers on the upper and lower levels of Ticketing and Baggage Claim.
Passengers may plan their trip to the Airport by:
• Arriving to the Airport early.
• Visiting parking.charlotteairport.com and viewing CLT's real-time parking map.
• Calling 704.359.5555 to hear the latest parking conditions.
• Slowing down and adhering to the signs when approaching the terminal.
• Paying attention to and following CLT's dynamic roadway signs strategically located around Charlotte Douglas for information on which lots are open or closed.
• Using the Pay&Go stations when leaving the terminal for a quicker exit. Four Pay&Go stations are located in the Hourly Deck and at the Daily Deck's shuttle bus stop. Remember to keep your ticket with you. Upon your return trip home, place your parking ticket in a Pay&Go station and pay by credit card. A validated ticket will be returned. Drivers may then proceed to any lane in the designated lots and insert their validated ticket in the machine to exit.
Travelers should also consider other travel options for arriving at the Airport, including:
• Carpooling
• Catching a ride to the terminal
• Taking a taxi, ride share or other form of transportation
• Riding the CATS Sprinter bus (Route 5 – Airport)
Holiday Travel Tips:
• View TSA's travel tips at tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips.
• For up-to-date parking conditions and prices, call 704.359.5555 or visit parking.charlotteairport.com.
• Get dropped off at the Airport, carpool, ride CATS, or use one of the many taxi and ground transportation companies serving the Airport.
• Visitors picking up family or friends are encouraged to park in the Hourly Deck. It's within walking distance to the terminal and the first hour is free.
• Another option - park in CLT's free Cell Phone Lot, which recently relocated directly off Josh Birmingham Parkway. Just wait in your vehicle and ask your passenger to contact you when they claim their luggage, then drive to either level of the terminal to pick them up.
• Passengers can be picked up and dropped off along the terminal's curbside, however, vehicles cannot be left unattended. Curbside parking is not allowed and unattended vehicles will be towed. This includes all lanes on the Ticketing and Baggage Claim levels.
•Uber & Lyft's pickup areas are located on Baggage Claim curbside - Zone E for arriving passengers.
• Check with your airline for updated flight information, as well as baggage size and weight rules. Additional fees could be applicable.
Departing Passenger Tips:
• Passengers are advised to arrive early for their flights. When traveling with young children, infants, elderly or disabled passengers, allow for even more time. TSA advises arriving at least two hours before your flight.
• Ticket counters will begin opening at 3:30 a.m.
• TSA security Checkpoints A and B will open at 3:30 a.m. TSA Precheck lines are located at Checkpoints B & D.
• Checkpoint lines may be adjusted to accommodate the anticipated crowds. Pay close attention to signage directing you to the proper lines.
• Save time by printing boarding passes at home.
• Obtain specific information about Charlotte Douglas International Airport by visiting cltairport.com or by calling the Airport's automated phone information line at 704.359.4910.
• Contact your airline for updated flight information or any weather related questions.
• Follow CLT's Twitter feed (@CLTAirport) for the most up-to-date holiday travel tips, and visit parking.charlotteairport.com for real time parking information. For the latest Airport news, link to cltairport.com/news.