Here’s what’s new, what to know about the Charlotte airport during holiday travel
If you’re going to or from Charlotte’s airport this winter holiday season, be prepared for long lines as several million people try to catch flights, pick up or drop off friends or simply look to enjoy time in the Queen City.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport and American Airlines, the largest provider of flights at CLT, are expecting to break records for the holiday travel season with nearly 3 million passengers from this Friday, Dec. 20 through Jan.5.
CLT is the seventh busiest airport in the world for arrivals and departures, according to Airports Council International.
As 2024 comes to a close, here are some things to know about using the airport during this busy time of year.
Be prepared for airport traffic and parking
Traffic has been a constant hassle for passengers in recent years. The airport worked to fix road congestion issues by opening three inner roadway lanes in late November on the departure level, said CLT Chief Operating Officer Jerome Woodard in a news release.
Getting picked up at the Charlotte airport
Airport shuttle buses will pick up and drop off passengers in the lower arrivals area. Passengers waiting on rides can be picked up on the upper or lower levels.
Two skybridges making airport connections
In July, CLT opened two skybridges connecting the hourly parking deck to the terminal and the mezzanine in the lobby.
It’s also another option if you want to avoid traffic lines going to the upper deck departures area when dropping off passengers.
The bridges are also helping with traffic conditions with fewer people trying to cross on lower levels.
CLT by the numbers
Approximately 2.75 million passengers will arrive and catch departing flights during a 17-day period, according to Charlotte airport officials. It starts Friday and continuing through Jan. 5. This represents a 6% increase from the same period last year.
The total number of flights is projected to climb to 25,000 — an 8% increase from last year, according to the airport.
The holidays are always a busy time for Charlotte Douglas. For the Thanksgiving period, CLT had 990,000 passengers depart CLT from Nov. 21 through Dec. 2 — a 4% increase from last year.
American Airlines at CLT
Most of those flights will be provided by American Airlines. CLT is the second largest hub for the Fort Worth, Texas-based company and accounts for about 90% of all flights out of the airport.
American is expected to serve 1.3 million passengers on 13,000 flights between Wednesday and Jan. 6, according to the airline. This is a 5% increase from last year. That’s an average of 700 peak daily departures from Charlotte’s airport and going to 170 destinations, according to the company.
“I’m proud of the strong foundation we’ve already established during Thanksgiving travel, and I am confident the same momentum will continue through the winter holidays and into the new year,” stated Ralph Lopez, American’s senior Vice President of CLT Hub Operation.
More than 15,000 workers associated with American Airlines will be assisting passengers at the airport.
CLT concourse expands
If you’re using Delta Air Lines to visit or leave Charlotte, expect a few changes.
Charlotte Douglas opened its Concourse A Expansion - Phase II in September with 10 new gates that are mostly occupied by Delta.
Along with local dining choices such as Crown Diner and Great Wagon Road Distilling Co., the area also has aircraft displays. The Wright Brothers are also honored in the expansion area for being aviation pioneers.
The Atlanta-based Airline recently opened its first Sky Club for Charlotte in this section of the airport.
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 5:48 AM.
