Thanksgiving holiday travel kicks off this weekend at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Airlines report flights will be near capacity. Transportation industry experts are expecting a record-breaking holiday travel season.
Traditionally the busiest travel days are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday and Monday after. The Airport is expecting more than 30,000 people to begin and end (originating passengers) their travels at CLT on each of those days. Originating passengers are those who use CLT’s parking facilities and security checkpoints. Charlotte Douglas usually averages 26,000 to 27,000 daily originating passengers. The Airport also serves more than 100,000 daily connecting passengers.
To ensure a smooth traveling experience, passengers should plan ahead, be prepared and arrive early to the Airport. Be aware, roadways around the terminal will be congested.
Parking will be in high demand Tuesday, November 26 – Sunday, December 1 and available on a first- come, first-served basis. 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, helps alleviate traffic on the curbside and the first hour is free.
The Airport’s concessionaire partner HMSHost will offer special menu items at 1897 Market and Brookwood Farms BBQ on Thanksgiving Day. Both restaurants are located in the Atrium.
For more helpful information, check out CLT’s Thanksgiving travel tips.