Here’s a first look inside the newest lounge opening at CLT
American Express will open its Centurion Lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Monday, giving their customers a chance to sample Charlotte culture.
The lounge is open to Platinum, Centurion and Delta Reserve cardholders with American Express and their guests.
The lounge emphasizes Charlotte connections with lounge executive chef Joe Kindred, owner of Kindred in Davidson and Hello, Sailor in Cornelius with his wife, Katy Kindred.
Kindred said he drew from his North Carolina roots for inspiration of the dishes in the American Express lounge, including buttermilk fried chicken with Carolina slaw, sweet potato hash and milk bread French toast with bourbon and maple syrup.
Other airport projects
The lounge is just one of the recently completed construction projects at the airport, and marks another instance of North Carolina brands spotlighted at the airport.
In November, the airport opened “The Plaza,” a 51,000-square-foot food court that hosts the airport’s second Bojangles’ along with its first Wicked Weed Brewing.
Asheville-based Wicked Weed joined Charlotte breweries NoDa Brewing Company and Olde Mecklenburg Brewery with airport outposts.
At the Plaza’s grand opening, Aviation Director Brent Cagle said the airport is always interested in collaborating with local companies.
The new lounge is just above the Plaza, with windows looking out to the tarmac and Charlotte skyline on one side, and to the Plaza’s $637,500 chandelier art installation on the other.
The Plaza is part of the airport’s $2.5 billion to $3.1 billion “Destination CLT” renovation and expansion program.
In late October, the airport completed its $50 million roadway project, opening five lanes on the lower level drop-off area to the public.
The airport kicked off the most expensive single project in the renovations to date with the $600 million terminal lobby expansion in early December. That project is expected to run until 2025.
First look at the lounge
The 13,000-square-foot lounge, between Concourses D and E in the Charlotte airport, is American Express’ 11th Centurion Lounge location.
The Charlotte lounge is the second Centurion Lounge to open this year, American Express Vice President of loyalty and benefits Alexander Lee said in a statement.
“We’re excited to bring this new location to card members traveling through Charlotte,” Lee said.
Along with a menu from chef Joe Kindred, the lounge will have a complimentary bar, two shower suites, a family room, private phone rooms and a mural from North Carolina artist Amanda Moody.
“I think from the very beginning in our talks, the local aspect was very important,” Katy Kindred told the Observer. “They wanted to have this lounge feel like local Charlotte brands are being represented.”
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