parked airplanes at CLT during sunset

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving as a major hub for American Airlines and offering numerous domestic and international flights.

Navigating the airport’s terminals efficiently can greatly enhance your travel experience. This guide provides an overview of Charlotte Airport’s terminal layout, amenities, and tips for a smooth journey.

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Overview of Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Address: Charlotte Douglas Airport, 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28208

CLT consists of one main terminal with five concourses (A, B, C, D, and E) that cater to various airlines and flight routes. Each concourse offers a range of services, dining options, and amenities to ensure passengers have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Getting to Charlotte Douglas International Airport

If you’re driving, GPS navigation will get you to the airport quickly and seamlessly.

It’s best to reserve a lot space in advance. AirportParkingReservations have many off-site Charlotte Douglas Airport parking options for you which offer greater value, flexibility and ease of use than onsite airport parking. Our lot operators offer transportation to CLT most hours of the day for your convenience.

Arriving at the airport

How early to get to CLT depends on the time of your flight and the airline you’ve booked to fly with:

  • Passengers for domestic flights should arrive at the airport two hours before departure.
  • Travelers on international flights should aim to get to the airport three hours before departure.

To avoid delays when traveling during the peak summer periods, we recommend arriving in plenty of time in accordance with your flight departure.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport Check-In

For a smooth departure from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, check your airline’s specific check-in requirements ahead of time, as policies may vary. The most accurate information can be found by contacting your airline directly.

Whenever possible, take advantage of online check-in to save time and skip long lines at the airport. Completing this step early ensures a hassle-free start to your journey, allowing you to focus on your upcoming travel plans.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport Security Screening

Once checked in, head to CLT security screening to reach the departure lounge.

For a smoother departure from CLT Airport, we recommend arriving early to allow ample time for security screening. Wait times can fluctuate, especially during peak travel periods like early mornings, holidays, and the summer season. Planning ahead ensures a stress-free start to your journey.

Boarding & Connecting Flights at CLT

Connecting flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport? Staying updated on your next flight is essential. Check digital flight displays and airline apps regularly for real-time gate and departure information.

For those with checked luggage, verify if re-checking is necessary and review your airline’s baggage policies. Additionally, ensure you have all required boarding passes, as some connecting flights may require a new one. A bit of advance planning can help make your transfer smooth and stress-free.

Things to Know about CLT

Even though the traffic of planes is not that significant, Charlotte Airport is very large. The different terminals are very spread out, which means the airport has an open, comfortable environment. Travelers do not feel cramped or rushed, even if their flight is during the early morning (6 AM to 9 AM) rush period.

Charlotte Airport Terminal Breakdown

Main Terminal

The main terminal, also known as The Atrium, is the central hub of CLT, housing ticketing, check-in, security checkpoints, baggage claim, and other essential services. From here, passengers can easily access the five concourses.

Airlines:

This is the Charlotte Airport’s American Airlines terminal, you can find their check-in desks here, along with Delta Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier, Contour, Sun Country Airlines, Lufthansa, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

Amenities:

  • Dining: Red Mango, Brookwood Farms BBQ, Cinnabon, Chick-fil-A, Cinnabon, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Jamba Juice, CommonSpace, Dunkin’, Tequileria, The Goods Express, Papa John’s, Salsarita’s, Burger King, Jersey Mike’s, Auntie Anne’s, Bojangles, Shake Shack, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Wicked Weed Brewing.
  • Shopping: 1897 Market, Queen City News & Gifts, Baggallini, Dylan’s Candy Bar, Charlotte News & Gifts, CNBC Smartshop, InMotion Entertainment, Johnston & Murphy, No Boundaries, On the Square Gifts & News, The Scoreboard, Spanx, Runway, Hip & Humble, Brighton, Tumi, Kiehl’s, M-A-C, Pandora.
  • Services: Defibrillators, restrooms, hand sanitizer stations, ATM, elevator, pet relief area, mother’s room, chapel, elevators, Ready Credit kiosk, security checkpoints, currency exchange, Be Relax spas, Executive Shoeshine, Minute Suites.
  • Lounges: The Centurion Lounge, USO Lounge, American Airlines A D M I R A L S Club.

View on Interactive Charlotte Airport Terminal Map

Concourse A

Concourse A extends from the Main Terminal and hosts a variety of domestic and international airlines’ gates. It offers additional dining and retail choices for travelers.

Gates:

You will find gates A1-A29 here.

Amenities:

  • Dining: Jamba Juice, Smashburger, NoDaBar, Broken Spoke, Panera Bread, Travel@ease, Starbucks, Wendy’s, Cinnabon, Uptown Minibar, The Taproom
  • Shopping: 704 Shop, Charlotte’s Landing, TripAdvisor, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inmotion Entertainment
  • Services: Defibrillators, restrooms, hand sanitizer stations, ATM, elevator, pet relief area, mother’s room
  • Lounges: The Club CLT

View on Interactive Charlotte Airport Terminal Map

Concourse B

Adjacent to Concourse A, Concourse B caters primarily to domestic flights’ gates and offers a range of amenities, including lounges, restaurants, and duty-free shops.

Gates:

You will find Gates B1-B16 here.

Amenities:

  • Dining: Summer House, Bojangles, Farmers Market, Midwood Smokehouse, Starbucks, Red Star Lounge, Great American Bagel
  • Shopping: CNBC News, New South Travelmart, Charlotte News & Gifts
  • Services: American Airlines Customer Assistance, hand sanitizer stations, ATM, restrooms, defibrillator
  • Lounges: American Airlines A D M I R A L S Club

View on Interactive Charlotte Airport Terminal Map

Concourse C

Concourse C serves as the primary hub for American Airlines flights’ gates, featuring modern facilities and services to accommodate travelers.

Gates:

You will find Gates C2-C19 here.

Amenities:

  • Dining: Auntie Anne’s, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Wow Bao, Beatrix Market, Chalice Café, Starbucks, Farmers Market, Phillips Famous Seafood
  • Shopping: News2You, CNBC News
  • Services: Charging stations, hand sanitizer stations, ATM, restroom, defibrillator

View on Interactive Charlotte Airport Terminal Map

Concourse D

Concourse D is home to various domestic and international airlines’ gates, offering travelers a diverse array of destinations and services.

Gates:

You will find Gates D1-D13 here.

Amenities:

  • Dining: Sambazon, Hissho Sushi, Ciao Gourmet Market, Triple C Brewing, Original Rum Bar & Grill, Starbucks, Great American Bagel, Carolina Beer Co., The Local
  • Shopping: CNBC Express, 3Sixty Duty Fee & More, TripAdvisor
  • Services: Charging stations, hand sanitizer stations, ATM, restroom, currency exchange, defibillirator, American Airlines Customer Assistance

View on Interactive Charlotte Airport Terminal Map

Concourse E

Concourse E is primarily used for regional flights’ gates operated by American Airlines’ affiliates. It features a variety of amenities including dining options and shops for the convenience of travelers.

Gates:

You will find Gates E1-E45 here.

Amenities:

  • Dining: Captain Jack’s Tavern, Einstein Bros. Bagel, Panera Bread, Travel@ease, PZA, Whisky River, Pronto, Starbucks, La Madeleine, Panda Express, Burger King, Explorer Lounge, Sycamore Brewing, PDQ, Dunkin’
  • Shopping: Charlotte News & Gifts, CNBC Express, Today, Gameway, Uptown Exchange
  • Services: Defibillirators, restrooms, charging stations, ATM, hand sanitizer stations, mother’s room, pet relief area, American Airlines Customer Assistance

View on Interactive Charlotte Airport Terminal Map

Queen’s Court

Located on the lower level of the Main Terminal, Queen’s Court offers additional amenities including baggage claim, food and beverage options, retail shops, and seating areas for travelers looking to relax after their flight.

Amenities:

  • Dining: Travel@ease, Charlotte Bistro, Queen Charlotte’s Kitchen, Snap
  • Shopping: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
  • Services: Defibrillators, pet relief area, ATM, hand sanitizer stations, restrooms, elevators

View on Interactive Charlotte Airport Terminal Map

Garden near Main Atrium

When you go past the security checkpoints during your stay at Charlotte International, there is a lovely little garden near the fountain in the main atrium. The garden area is usually very peaceful and serene, especially in the early mornings and evenings.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport WiFi

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has a free Wi-Fi system that operates 24 hours a day. There may be odd cases where the Wi-Fi does not work, but it is almost always fully operational. They also have a lot of power sockets and charging stations throughout the airport, which is useful for travelers who need to recharge their laptops, tablets, e-readers, and/or smartphones.

Tips for Navigating Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Navigating Charlotte Douglas International Airport can be a breeze with the right know-how. Here are some handy tips to make your journey through the terminals and concourses a smooth one.

  • Arrive Early: CLT can be busy, especially during peak travel times. Arrive at least two hours before your domestic flight and three hours before international departures.
  • Utilize Mobile Services: Check-in online and use mobile boarding passes to save time.
  • Stay Informed: Monitor CLT flight status and gate information and check display screens throughout the terminal.
  • Enjoy the Amenities: Take advantage of the diverse dining and shopping options to make your wait more enjoyable. Whilst we’ve listed what you’ll find above, check out the Charlotte Airport Terminals Map for more information.
  • Know Your Concourse: Familiarize yourself with the concourse your flight departs from and plan accordingly.
  • Access Free Wi-Fi: CLT offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the airport, allowing you to stay connected while you travel.
  • Consider off-airport parking: Save time and money by using one of the many off-airport parking options available. These lots often provide shuttle service to the terminal, making it a convenient choice. We’ve highlighted a couple of the closest lots below.

By following this guide and planning ahead, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free experience at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Have you booked your airport parking yet? Check out this great range of off airport CLT parking lots provided by our partners.

Photo by:

Wes Smith on Unsplash