Charlotte Airport Map: A Comprehensive Guide To Its Size

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a major hub for American Airlines, serving Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. The airport covers 5,558 acres of land and consists of 1 main terminal and 5 or 6 concourses (A-E), providing a wide range of dining, shopping, and lounge options. The airport is one of the busiest in the country, having processed over 50 million passengers in 2019. The airport has a complex layout, with different concourses located in different branches of the map, and it is recommended to allow ample time for navigating between gates and concourses.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport's layout

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte, North Carolina's central business district in the United States. Covering 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land, it is one of the busiest airports in the country, having processed over 50 million passengers in 2019 and 2023. The airport features a single terminal with 5 concourses (A-E) and 3 operating runways, with one non-operating runway.

Concourse A has 19 gates, with gates A1 to A13 closest to the main terminal, and the remaining gates located further north of the airport, accessible via a connector with moving walkways. Concourse B is located in the southwest area of the airport and has 11 gates, numbered B1 to B11. It also has an American Airlines Admirals Lounge. Concourse D is located near the entrance, across from gate D1. The TSA PreCheck lane is located near the entrance to Concourse A, while the CLEAR lanes are located at the entrance to Concourse A and Concourse D. The Federal Inspection Services (FIS) area, which includes passport and immigration control, is located in the Concourse D/E connector.

The airport has a food court located in the main terminal, offering a range of options including pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. There are also several restaurants located in the concourses, serving a variety of cuisines. The airport also features a range of shops, including duty-free stores, newsstands, gift shops, and specialty stores such as a Harley-Davidson store and a PGA Tour Shop. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and a pet relief area.

The airport's website provides an interactive map with directions to all of the CLT airport parking facilities, using a colour-coded system to indicate whether the facilities are open or closed.

The airport's history

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte, North Carolina's central business district, is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Covering 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land, it is a relatively large airport.

The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and opened in 1936, operated by the City of Charlotte. The airport was the largest single Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in the United States at the time, incorporating a terminal, hangar, beacon tower, and three runways. Eastern Air Lines began scheduled passenger service in 1937.

In early 1941, the United States Army Air Forces took control of the airport and established Charlotte Air Base, which was soon renamed Morris Field after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The US military invested over $5 million in airfield improvements before returning the facility to the City of Charlotte in 1946.

In 1954, a new 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2) passenger terminal opened, and the airport was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in honour of former Charlotte Mayor Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who had overseen the airport's opening two decades earlier.

In 1982, the airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and a new 325,000-square-foot (30,200 m2) passenger terminal designed by Odell Associates was opened. Concourses B and C were expanded in 1984 and 1987, respectively, while Concourse A was built in 1986 to accommodate future growth.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has continued to expand and develop over the years, with new concourses, terminals, and runways being added to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and aircraft operations. In 2019, it was the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, processing over 50 million passengers, and the fifth busiest in terms of aircraft operations, ranking sixth globally. In 2021, it became the sixth busiest airport in the country.

Concourse specifics

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has one main terminal and five concourses, labelled A to E. Concourse A has 19 gates, split across two areas. Gates A1 to A8 and A10 to A13 are closest to the main terminal, while gates A21 to A25 and A28 to A29 are further north of the airport and accessible via a connector with moving walkways. Concourse A has a good selection of shops and restaurants in the north and south concourses, as well as in the connector. Concourse B is located in the southwest area of the airport and has 11 gates, numbered B1 to B11. There is an American Airlines Admirals Lounge and a range of shops and restaurants in this concourse. Concourse C has 14 gates, numbered C2 to C11, C13 to C15, and C19. This concourse is located in the southeast area of the airport. Just outside of Concourse C is a large American Airlines Admirals Club. There are several shops and restaurants in Concourse C, and flights are operated exclusively by American Airlines. Concourse D is located on the east side of the airport and is the main concourse for international flights. There are eight gates, numbered D1, D3-D6, D8, and D10. Concourse E is the concourse for regional carriers, with smaller planes.

The airport has an interactive map that allows you to map your route between two points across multiple levels of the terminal and view estimated walk times. The airport covers 5,558 acres of land and is located roughly 6 miles west of Charlotte's central business district.

Transport and parking

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte, North Carolina's central business district. It is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The airport covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land and is the 6th busiest airport in the US as of 2021, serving over 50 million passengers annually.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers parking options for both drive-up customers (first come, first served) and those who book their parking in advance online. The airport's parking facilities are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and are well-lit and regularly patrolled. The airport app and website provide up-to-date information on parking availability, with a colour-coded system indicating whether facilities are open or closed.

For those who book in advance, the CLT Airport app and website allow users to select their preferred parking option and entry and exit dates. Same-day bookings are limited, with a minimum of 3 hours' advance booking required for most products. Online booking rates may vary depending on the parking option chosen, arrival date, and length of stay.

For drive-up customers, airport parking signs on the roadways provide updates on the status of parking facilities. When a facility is marked as "Booked" or "Reservation Only", this indicates that all drive-up spaces are full, but spaces may still be available for those who have booked in advance.

In addition to the airport's official parking facilities, there are also off-site parking options nearby, such as The Parking Spot Charlotte, which offers a shuttle service to and from the airport.

Amenities and services

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte's central business district in North Carolina. Covering 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land, the airport features one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses, as well as three operating runways and one non-operating runway.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers a range of amenities and services to cater to the needs of its more than 100,000 daily visitors. Here is an overview of what you can expect:

Passenger Comfort and Convenience

The airport provides comprehensive services and amenities to ensure a pleasant travel experience. This includes the availability of free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, ample charging stations for electronic devices, and a user-friendly interactive map to help navigate the airport. The airport also offers currency exchange services with extended hours for international travellers' convenience.

Dining and Retail Options

CLT offers a variety of dining options, including restaurants, cafes, and fast-food outlets. These establishments provide a range of culinary choices to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Additionally, the airport houses a selection of retail stores, allowing travellers to engage in some duty-free shopping or purchase any last-minute essentials before their flights.

Art and Entertainment

CLT showcases a unique digital art installation, "Interconnected," created by Refik Anadol. This artwork is displayed on three massive screens in Concourse A North and transforms data from the airport's network into a captivating and ever-changing visual experience.

Passenger Opinion Surveys

The airport routinely conducts passenger opinion surveys to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement. This feedback helps the airport enhance its facilities and services, ensuring that it meets the needs and expectations of its customers.

Parking Facilities

CLT provides a range of parking options to accommodate different needs, including short-term, long-term, and economy parking. The airport's website offers detailed information and directions to all parking facilities, utilising a colour-coded system to indicate which facilities are open or closed.

Frequently asked questions