Clear And Simple: Charlotte Airport's Security Measures

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the eleventh-busiest airport in the US, serving over 46 million passengers annually. It is a hub for American Airlines, with a compact and convenient layout that allows easy movement between concourses without needing to clear security twice. While there is no explicit mention of CLEAR, a biometric identity platform that speeds up security screening, being available at CLT, the airport does offer TSA PreCheck and Global Entry for expedited security clearance. Additionally, passengers can access various lounges, including the American Airlines Admirals Club, Centurion Lounge, and The Club CLT, with certain memberships or elite statuses.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is undergoing construction to accommodate more travellers

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is currently undergoing construction to accommodate its growing number of travellers, which currently stands at over 44 million passengers annually, making it the eleventh-busiest airport in the US.

The airport has seen several construction projects over the years, including the recent unveiling of the Concourse A Expansion Phase II, which added the Crown Diner, a charming, mid-century-style restaurant for travellers.

CLT is currently undergoing a $600 million terminal lobby expansion and renovation, which is set to be completed in 2025. The project will see the consolidation of existing security checkpoints and the remodelling of the baggage claim and ticketing areas. A 150,000-square-foot curbside canopy will also be added, providing protection for passengers from the elements. The design aims to meet the needs of travellers, focusing on convenience, clarity, and comfort, while also delivering a touch of Southern hospitality.

Future terminal expansions under the Destination CLT umbrella include Phase II of the Concourse A Expansion, Phase VIII of the Concourse E expansion, and expansions to Concourses B and C. These projects are expected to cost around $1.1 billion and be completed by 2026. The expansions will add several new gates to each concourse, increasing the airport's capacity for travellers.

With these construction projects, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is preparing to handle even more travellers in the coming years, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for its growing number of passengers.

TSA PreCheck is available at CLT, allowing faster security clearance

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) offers TSA PreCheck, a service that allows members to speed through security clearance faster. TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 airports, including CLT, and works with over 90 participating airlines.

TSA PreCheck is one of several programs designed to expedite the security screening process at airports. Another such program is Clear, which uses a biometric identity platform that relies on fingerprint and iris scanning to speed up identification at security checkpoints. Clear is currently available at 59 airports.

Having both a Clear Plus membership and TSA PreCheck can get you through security in five minutes or less at many airports. Clear Plus costs $199 per year, and you can add up to three adults to your account for $119 each, while children under 18 are free.

At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center can be found in the atrium after security. Applicants can visit for an enrollment interview and, once approved, can use any TSA PreCheck lanes at any U.S. airport. TSA PreCheck was previously located at Checkpoint C, but as of September 5, 2024, it has been moved to Checkpoint A due to construction work.

CLT has 5 lounges, including the Centurion Lounge and USO Lounge

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) features five lounges, including the Centurion Lounge and USO Lounge. The airport's compact layout allows passengers to move between concourses for lounge access without needing to clear security twice.

The Centurion Lounge, opened by American Express in 2020, is one of the largest of its kind. It is accessible airside to all gates at CLT and is open from 5:30 am to 10:30 pm. The lounge features a family room, a shower suite, and workspaces with high-speed Wi-Fi. It also offers carefully selected amenities, such as limited-edition fine-art photographic prints and custom-branded scents. American Express has also eliminated single-use plastics at this location as part of its environmental initiatives.

The USO Lounge, located in the Main Terminal Atrium, is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm. It welcomes active-duty, reserve, and guard service members, their families, and veterans. The lounge provides easy access to all concourses without the need to re-clear security, allowing passengers more time to relax before their flight.

In addition to the Centurion and USO Lounges, CLT offers The Club CLT, Gameway, and Minute Suites. Priority Pass members can access The Club CLT, Gameway, and Minute Suites, and American Airlines premium passengers, Admirals Club members, and elite AAdvantage and OneWorld members can access the two Admirals Clubs.

CLT is American Airlines' second-largest hub, with 90% of flights operated by the airline

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, or CLT, is the second-largest hub for American Airlines, the world's largest airline. In mid-April 2021, American Airlines operated 8,998 flights and 160 routes at its Charlotte hub, with almost 9,000 weekly flights. This number is up significantly from 2020 and down by a reasonable 5% from 2019. In 2023, the airport served over 53 million passengers, making it the eleventh-busiest airport in the US.

CLT is an unusual hub for American Airlines, as the majority of its domestic routes are short-haul, with 117 out of 130 routes being less than 1,000 miles, or roughly within a two-and-a-half-hour flying time. The airline serves 44 US states from Charlotte, with Florida, Texas, North Carolina, New York, and Pennsylvania being the most significant. In April 2021, American Airlines operated just under 300 Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

CLT's status as a major airline hub is the result of several factors, including forward-thinking city leaders, airline industry deregulation, and key partnerships. When the Charlotte Municipal Airport first opened in 1936 during the Great Depression, funding from President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal helped build the airport. In the 1960s, Eastern Airlines made Douglas Municipal a hub, and Winston-Salem-based Piedmont Airlines began flying through Charlotte, bringing in bigger jets. In the 1970s, the airport expanded again, adding a second parallel runway, a new control tower, and another terminal.

Today, American Airlines operates 90% of the gates at CLT, with nearly 700 daily flights out of Charlotte. The airport's compact and convenient layout means that passengers can easily move between concourses without needing to clear security twice. The airport features several lounges, including the American Airlines Admirals Club, Centurion Lounge, and The Club CLT.

CLT is accessible, with all concourses within walking distance

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is an accessible airport, with a compact and convenient layout. It consists of one main terminal and six concourses, all within walking distance of each other. This means that there is no need for passengers to use trains or shuttle buses to get to their gates. The main terminal has three levels. Level 1 is for baggage claim and provides tunnel access to the car rental centre and hourly parking deck. Level 2 is for check-in and ticketing, with five security checkpoints leading to the departure concourses. Level 3 is the mezzanine level, which features a USO lounge, a chapel, and a nursing room.

The airport is currently undergoing a Terminal Lobby Expansion project, which includes the construction of Checkpoint 2 and the addition of new American Airlines ticket counters. The expansion aims to create more efficient security checkpoints and streamline the flow of traffic within the airport.

With its compact design and convenient walking distances between concourses, CLT offers a seamless travel experience for its passengers.

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