May 30, 2024 - Charlotte Douglas International Airport is preparing for the busiest summer travel season ever. After surpassing the local passenger record during spring break, enthusiasm for exploring shows no signs of slowing down.
Summer travel is expected to rise 14% higher than last year and jump 24% over 2019.
About 8.1 million local and connecting passengers will fly out of and connect through Charlotte this June, July and August. That’s one million more people than the same time last year, an increase greater than the entire city of Charlotte population.
Those travelers want to get to their destinations safely and expeditiously. That’s exactly what the 20,000 employees at CLT want too. We are on this journey together.
Terminal Lobby Improvements
American Airlines, which operates approximately 90% of flights at Charlotte Douglas, is deploying updated kiosks to provide a faster and more reliable check-in experience. The airline is also adding a second bag drop in the lobby to improve overall customer flow during peak periods.
CLT is advancing the successful strategies deployed for spring break travel:
- Additional Airport personnel in the lobby to direct passengers
- Increased communications about Airport operations on social media and through partnerships with Charlotte and North Carolina Departments of Transportation
- Adjustments to traffic signals to keep traffic flowing into and around the Airport
Don’t Wing It, Prepare to Fly
Plan your journey as much as possible and use all the Airport’s information tools to ensure a smooth travel experience. Download the CLT Airport app or visit cltairport.com to check TSA wait times, shuttle bus wait times, view Airport maps, find a restaurant, order food in advance and so much more.
Parking
Book parking in advance either online or on the CLT Airport app to guarantee a spot and receive the best available rate.
*Insider tip: Sign up for CLT parking emails to get the latest offers and promotions delivered to your inbox.
Give Yourself Time
Plan to be inside the Airport at least two hours before domestic flights, three hours before international travel.
If you’re checking a bag, you may want to budget a little extra time in case the bag drop line is longer than expected.
Know that the busiest days for local travel will be Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays.
Ask the Experts
Airport employees wearing easy-to-spot yellow vests will be on hand to answer questions and help direct you to where you need to go.
Advice from Fellow Travelers
CLT social media followers recently shared their personal travel tips:
Dress for Success:
“Wear shoes that easily come off for going through security.” - @gaillardsmith10
“Wear a comfortable outfit suitable for your destination then add layers to stay comfortable on the plane. If you have a long flight, wear compression socks.” - @lizo830
Packing like a Pro
“Only pack what you really need … it leaves more room for souvenirs on the way back!” – @tul_aviator
“In your carry on always have a travel toothbrush, deodorant, fresh wipes, a spare top and a snack in case your luggage is delayed.” – Tina Partyka
“Bring a refillable water bottle. Backpacks make a great carry on with lots of pockets and they fit easily under the seat.” – @bptm224
Some of our favorites:
“Get to the Airport early to plane spot and explore the terminal!” – @barharmie_aviation
“Listen to instructions from Airport and airline staff attentively. Ignoring them could lead to delays or even a cameo appearance on the TSA’s watchlist.” – @alocalexpat
“Go earlier than you think you need to! Better to be stuck at the Airport waiting for your flight than stuck at the customer service counter because you missed your flight.” – @inflightkam
“Book your parking spot online ahead of time.” – @gymnastalexa (We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!)
“Get TSA PreCheck®, arrive early, take time to enjoy the rocking chairs and pet the Canine Crew volunteers.” – Reggie Mathis
“Listen to your mother!” – Steven Alvarez