News

CHARLOTTE, NC – This Thanksgiving travel season is expected to be the busiest on record at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, with forecasts predicting approximately 1.02 million passengers departing CLT between Thursday, Nov. 21, and Monday, Dec. 2. This marks a 7% increase compared to last year and a 20% rise over pre-pandemic 2019.

Local traffic is also anticipated to reach new highs. The Airport estimates more than 423,000 passengers will pass through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints during the holiday period, a 9% jump from last year and 25% higher than 2019. TSA is projected to screen 18.3 million people nationwide from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 2.

The busiest days will be Friday, Nov. 22, Wednesday, Nov. 27, Sunday, Dec. 1, and Monday, Dec. 2, with over 90,000 departing passengers daily. Total annual passenger traffic to date has exceeded record-breaking 2023 by 12%, while local passenger traffic has bested 2023 by the same margin. These numbers reflect a nationwide trend, with airports and airlines preparing for record-breaking traffic. American Airlines is ready to welcome nearly 8.3 million customers in its network during Thanksgiving.

To provide extra support, CLT will have additional staff wearing bright yellow vests to help guide and assist travelers.

Parking will be in high demand. Earlier this month CLT launched the Royalty Program. Flyers can sign in or create an account to begin receiving rewards with points earned when booking official CLT Airport parking online at parkCLT.com or on the CLT Airport app. Passengers are strongly advised to book parking online.

TSA PreCheck® lanes are located at Checkpoints A and 1. Standard screening remains at Checkpoints 1 and 3, which was previously named Checkpoint E. Any checkpoint can get you to any gate. Passengers are encouraged to be inside the terminal – not in the parking lot or elsewhere on the property – at least two hours prior to a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Security wait times are expected to reach up to 45 minutes during busy times.

The inner three roadway lanes on the Departures/Ticketing level at the terminal entrance opened Nov. 13. Normally reserved for Airport shuttle buses only, these three lanes will be activated for all vehicles beginning Monday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 2. During this period, all Airport shuttle buses will utilize pick up and drop off services on the Lower/Arrivals level as it did prior to Nov. 13. CLT will continuously monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary.

Other traffic changes along the roadways in and around the Airport include law enforcement presence at busy intersections, re-routing portions of the Airport shuttle bus operation to reduce roadway traffic congestion and reallocating staffing along the Terminal Curb Front.

The Airport advises travelers to review CLT’s Don’t Wing It, Prepare to Fly! guide for a smoother journey.

Book your parking when you book your flight

• Passengers are encouraged to reserve a parking spot at parkCLT.com or on the CLT Airport app to guarantee availability. Only credit cards are accepted for all Airport parking.
• Drive-up parking may be available in the following lots depending on availability: Valet, Hourly and Long Term 2.

From Door to Departure

• There’s more than one way to get to the Airport. Check navigation apps before leaving home.
• Monitor shuttle bus wait times on the CLT Airport App.
• Visit tsa.gov to learn what’s allowed through security checkpoints. Check with your airline for any additional restrictions for what is allowed on your aircraft.
• Expect crowds and long lines at security checkpoints. Check estimated security wait times on CLT’s website or app and remember any checkpoint can get you to any gate. Wait times can change frequently, therefore, check often.
• Drivers who are picking up passengers should take advantage of CLT’s free Cell Phone Lot located on Josh Birmingham Parkway and wait 20 to 30 minutes after the plane lands before driving to the terminal.

Destination CLT Updates

• The Airport is approximately a year away from the completion of the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) project.
• Checkpoint C closed in September for the construction of Checkpoint 2, which is expected to open in late spring or early summer. Upon completion of the TLE, there will be Checkpoints 1, 2 and 3 with more total lanes than the prior configuration and enhanced equipment for more efficient screening.
• Airline skycap positions offering passenger curbside assistance launched Nov. 13 with four more opening by the end of the month.
• Pedestrian walkways opened to passengers July 31, providing travelers with weather-protected access between the Hourly Deck and the Terminal under an expansive 146,000-square-foot glass canopy.
• American Airlines added 11 new ticket counters on Oct. 12, following the introduction of 11 counters in July. These counters are located between Doors 2 and 3 in the center of the Terminal Lobby.
• Concourse A Expansion – Phase II opened Sept. 17. The 200,000-square-foot expansion north of Concourse A – Phase I introduced 10 new gates, including seven for Delta Air Lines, two for Frontier Airlines, and one common-use gate. With the completion of Concourse A – Phase II and the Terminal Lobby Expansion in phase five of six, the Airport’s total square footage increases from 1.8 million to 2.2 million.

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