The summer travel season will be the busiest ever at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Memorial Day weekend will bring many passengers through CLT to usher in its unofficial start.
Passenger numbers are projected to be 14% higher than summer of 2023. During the Memorial Day travel period, extending Thursday through Tuesday, CLT is anticipating 1.05 million arrivals and departures traveling through the Airport. That is a 21% increase over the same time last year. The expected peak travel days will be Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24. The Airport will have additional staff wearing yellow vests to guide and assist travelers in the lobby.
Charlotte Douglas is preparing for the crowds by coordinating with law enforcement and the North Carolina and Charlotte Departments of Transportation to manage traffic flow, adding additional staff at the terminal curb front to keep traffic moving and providing alternate routes for Airport shuttle busses during peak travel periods.
The Airport recommends passengers Don’t Wing It, Prepare to Fly! Top travel tips include:
- Book your parking when you book your flight and the sooner, the better. To get the best spot at the best available rate, reserve parking at parkCLT.com or on the CLT Airport app. All parking products except Long Term 2 and Daily North are available for pre-booking. Hourly, Valet and Express Deck Preferred require a minimum three-hour lead time. The Daily Decks, Long Term 1 and Express Deck Self-Park do not require any lead time.
- Factor in extra time. Arrive at the Airport and be inside the terminal at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. The busiest days for local passengers will be Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays. During peak periods, drivers should familiarize themselves with current traffic conditions and seek alternate routes to the Airport.
- Download the CLT Airport app. Book parking, get flight information, check shuttle bus wait times, security wait times, find a restaurant and even order food in advance to skip the lines.