Lois Larson
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is an international airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district. The airport covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land and has 3 operating runways and one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses. The airport has grown from a small regional airport to an international hub, with a record-breaking year in 2023, registering a passenger count of 53,445,770. The airport is easily accessible from Newton, NC, with the fastest route taking 47-50 minutes by car. There are several photos of the airport available, including images of the airport entrance, the runway, the tarmac, and aircraft taking off and parked at gates.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
The airport has 3 operating runways and one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses. A commercial-civil-military facility, the airport is home to the Charlotte Air National Guard base and its host unit, the 145th Airlift Wing of the North Carolina Air National Guard. The original passenger terminal from 1936 still exists and is used for offices and training rooms by various aviation-related organizations.
Between 2007 and 2015, the airport completed $1.5 billion worth of construction projects, including a new airport entrance roadway, new hourly parking decks, a regional intermodal cargo facility, an expansion of the east-side terminal lobby, new checked baggage handling systems, and additional space for concessions and shops. Construction of the airport's fourth runway, the "third parallel", began in spring 2007, potentially increasing capacity by 33%. In November 2019, the East Terminal Expansion opened, adding 51,000 square feet (4,700 m2) of passenger amenity space across three levels. The main level of the expansion is "The Plaza", a food court featuring a hanging artwork entitled "Loops" by Christian Moeller.
In 2015, airport officials announced the completion of the "'CLT 2015' plan" and began construction of the new Destination CLT airport development plan. Destination CLT represents a $2.5 billion investment into the future growth of the airport. Concourse A North, a nine-gate expansion completed in summer 2018, features a digital artwork titled "Interconnected" by Refik Anadol. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the few airports in the United States with a public viewing area, where visitors can watch planes land and taxi.
Vancouver Airport: Buying Canadian SIM Cards
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transport options to Newton, NC
There are several transport options to reach Newton, North Carolina. The closest airport to Newton, NC, is Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is located roughly 65 km or a 47-minute drive from Newton.
By Air
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is an international airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the region. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, with over 50 million passengers in 2019. The airport offers flights from various airlines, including American Airlines, which operates the majority of flights.
By Road
You can reach Newton by road via the N.C. Highway 16, which will be widened to provide a direct, four-lane link between Downtown Newton and Charlotte. The U.S. Highway 321 freeway to the west of the city has already reduced travel time to the Charlotte metropolitan area.
By Public Transport
Public transport options from Charlotte Airport to Newton include buses and taxis. Taking the bus from the airport to W. A. Street and S. Ashe Avenue via Hickory Airport and Greenway Transit Center takes approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes. Taxi services are also available at the airport, providing a quicker alternative to reach Newton in around 47 minutes.
By Rail
Rail connections are available to Newton, NC, with train services operating from nearby cities. For example, you can take a train from Raleigh Union Station to Kannapolis and then take a taxi to Newton. However, there is no direct train connection from Raleigh to Newton.
Baby Wipes and Airport Security: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airport history and development
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is an international airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district.
The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport. Building work began in 1930 and was completed in 1936, at a cost of around $200,000. Eastern Air Lines began scheduled passenger services in 1937. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces took control of the airport, establishing Charlotte Air Base, which was later renamed Morris Field. The US military invested over $5 million in airfield improvements. In 1946, the airfield was returned to the City of Charlotte.
In 1954, a new 70,000-square-foot passenger terminal opened, and the airport was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport after Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., the former mayor of Charlotte who oversaw the airport's opening. During the 1960s, the airport underwent significant expansion, with a new concourse constructed. In 1979, a new 10,000-foot parallel runway and control tower were added, and in 1982, a new 325,000-square-foot passenger terminal was unveiled, leading to the airport's current name: Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The airport has continued to expand and upgrade its facilities over the years, with additional concourses, runway extensions, and development plans. In 2019, CLT was the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, processing over 50 million passengers. By 2021, it had become the sixth busiest airport in the country.
Walkie-Talkies at Airports: Allowed or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$15.99
Photos of the airport at night
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a hub of activity, both during the day and at night. With over 50 million passengers processed in 2019, it is one of the busiest airports in the United States.
At night, the airport takes on a different atmosphere. The illuminated entrance sign greets incoming travellers, while the glass canopy over the roadway sparkles under the glow of the night sky. The eight lanes of the new roadway, with five outer lanes for personal vehicles and three inner lanes for commercial and airport vehicles, are likely to be quieter at night, with fewer vehicles coming and going compared to the bustling daytime hours.
The airport's one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses may be calmer in the evening, with passengers waiting at the gates or boarding bridges, perhaps wearing face masks as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The artwork, "Interconnected," by Refik Anadol, featured on three massive display screens in Concourse A North, would provide a captivating light show for those passing by at night.
Outside, the control tower stands tall, with United Airlines and American Airlines planes parked on the runways, ready for takeoff or resting after landing. The airport's three operating runways, including runway 18L, may see fewer movements at night, but the lights of the planes and control tower shine brightly against the dark sky.
The airport's history dates back to 1935 when it was established as Charlotte Municipal Airport. The original passenger terminal, which opened in 1936, still stands, now used for offices and training rooms. At night, the historic terminal takes on a different ambiance, with its lights glowing softly, a reminder of the airport's long history.
Hola Barcelona Card: Available at the Airport?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Photos of aircraft taking off
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, located 6 miles west of Charlotte's central business district, is one of the few airports in the United States with a public viewing area. This makes it an ideal spot for plane spotters to capture photos of aircraft taking off. With over 50 million passengers processed in 2019, there are plenty of opportunities to snap planes as they depart.
One of the best places to take photos of aircraft taking off is at the public viewing area, where visitors can watch planes taxi and take off from runway 18R/36L, with additional views of runway 18C/36C and concourse A. This offers a unique opportunity for photographers to capture the drama and excitement of aviation.
To get a sense of the scale and power of the aircraft, consider using a wide-angle lens to capture the entire plane as it takes off, with the runway stretching into the distance. For a more dynamic shot, try using a slower shutter speed to blur the aircraft's motion, conveying a sense of speed and energy.
For more intimate photos, a telephoto lens can capture close-up details of the aircraft as they depart, such as the engine, cockpit, or even the expressions of passengers through the windows. Playing with depth of field can also create interesting effects, blurring the background and accentuating the plane's isolation in the sky.
With the airport's busy schedule, there are ample opportunities to capture dramatic sunset shots, with the warm hues of the sky contrasting against the sleek bodies of the aircraft. The airport's recent expansion, including the new roadway with 16 lanes over two levels, also provides a range of new angles and backdrops for photographers to explore.
Airport Security: Hearing Aid Charger Concerns
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is an international airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is one of the busiest airports in the country, having processed over 50 million passengers in 2019.
The airport is home to the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, which features a collection of over 50 aircraft, an aviation library with over 9,000 volumes, and a photography collection. Rare aircraft in the collection include one of only two surviving Douglas D-558 Skystreak aircraft and the oldest surviving U.S.-built Harrier.
The construction of the U.S. Highway 321 freeway has shortened the drive time to the Charlotte metropolitan area from Newton. The planned widening of N.C. Highway 16 will also provide a direct, four-lane link between Downtown Newton and Charlotte in the coming years.
