Charlotte Nc Airport: Managing Busy Travel Hubs Efficiently

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world. In 2022, the airport handled 505,589 arrivals and departures, and served nearly 48 million passengers, ranking 7th busiest worldwide for arrivals and departures, and 10th in North America for passenger numbers. The airport offers flights to 178 destinations and is home to eight major carriers, 15 regional carriers, and three foreign flag carriers. With its convenient location, major rail and road connections, and numerous travel options, Charlotte Douglas Airport is a bustling hub for travellers.

TSA wait times

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US and the world. In 2022, the airport was ranked fifth worldwide for arrivals and departures by the Airport Council International. That year, the airport handled 505,589 arrivals and departures and nearly 48 million passengers, a 10% increase from 2021.

The airport operates six security checkpoints to service all gates. On average, TSA wait times are around 13.2 minutes. The busiest periods are between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, where the wait can reach up to 29 minutes. The shortest wait times are usually between 4:00 am and 5:00 am on Wednesdays.

TSA PreCheck lanes are available at Checkpoints B and D, and Checkpoint 1. The operating hours for TSA PreCheck lanes vary by checkpoint. For example, Checkpoint 1 operates from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm on specific days, while Checkpoint C operates daily from 3:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Security wait times at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are estimates and can vary due to several factors, including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, and more. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport well in advance of scheduled flight departures and check with their airlines for ticket counter wait times and possible changes to flight schedules.

In March 2025, a new security checkpoint, Checkpoint 2, opened at the airport. This checkpoint is the main screening location for passengers with TSA PreCheck and flight crews. With the opening of Checkpoint 2, the number of security checkpoints at the airport was streamlined from five to three, increasing capacity and providing passengers with a faster, more efficient screening experience.

Security checkpoints

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the top 10 busiest US airports, with a record 53.4 million passengers travelling through it in 2023. The airport has six security checkpoints in the main terminal, and passengers can use any checkpoint for access to all gates. The TSA wait times at Charlotte Airport are around 13.2 minutes on average, with the busiest periods between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, where the wait can reach up to 29 minutes. The shortest wait times are usually between 4 am and 5 am on Wednesdays.

The security checkpoints at Charlotte Airport are operated by the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Only ticketed passengers are permitted beyond the checkpoints. All concourses and aircraft gates are accessible from any security checkpoint. Checkpoint 1, which is located at the west end of the new terminal lobby, features eight lanes to screen departing travellers. It has expanded queuing space for travellers entering the checkpoint, with 16 travel document-checking podiums where TSA officers conduct identity verification. The checkpoint also has a bright and open design, with familiar security technologies in use, including automated conveyor belts, automatic diversion of carry-on items, and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for additional accountability of a traveller's carry-on property.

Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early, as current security measures can increase the time needed to check in. When travelling with young children, infants, the elderly, or disabled passengers, even more time should be allowed. Passengers without identification will need to provide a document-checking officer with some information to help verify their identity, which will slow down the screening process and result in additional screening. All carry-on items must be screened at security checkpoints, and passengers are advised to check the TSA's prohibited items list for more information.

To improve efficiency and capacity, Charlotte Airport is undergoing a $3.1 billion capital investment project called Destination CLT, which includes the expansion of the terminal lobby. As part of this project, Security Checkpoint B was closed in March 2023 for the busy summer travel season. The closure of Checkpoint B was expected to impact the amount of time it takes for passengers to get through TSA, and travellers were encouraged to consider enrolling in the TSA Pre-Check program to help alleviate some of the pressure.

Passenger numbers

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world. In 2022, the airport saw hundreds of thousands of arrivals and departures and tens of millions of passengers.

According to the Airports Council International's preliminary rankings for 2022, the Charlotte airport ranked as the seventh busiest worldwide for arrivals and departures, with 505,589 arrivals and departures. This was a slight decrease from the previous year, when it ranked fifth. However, the number of passengers flying through the airport increased. In 2022, nearly 48 million people flew through Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a 10% increase from the 43 million passengers in 2021. The airport's CEO, Haley Gentry, attributed this increase to the "confidence and eagerness of passengers returning to the skies."

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the second-largest hub for American Airlines, offering flights to 178 destinations worldwide. It serves eight major air carriers, 15 regional carriers, and three foreign flag carriers. The airport also has 180+ direct flights, including most major US metros and 37 international locations, with 35 nonstop flights to international destinations. Its convenient location in the heart of the southeast, halfway between New York City and Miami, makes it accessible to 100 million people within a day's truck route and puts over half of the US population within easy driving distance.

The airport has also invested in enhancing the passenger experience. A $3 billion commitment in 2015 led to significant renovations, and the airport continues to expand, with projects such as the Terminal Lobby Expansion planned for completion by 2025. These improvements aim to make Charlotte Douglas International Airport even more attractive and accessible to travellers.

Airport facilities

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is one of the busiest airports in the US and worldwide. In 2022, the airport handled 505,589 arrivals and departures, and nearly 48 million passengers. The airport has excellent passenger facilities, including cash machines, a bank with bureau de change facilities, a 24-hour chapel, a first-aid station, and telephones that have been adapted for those in wheelchairs. There are also several conference rooms, and a good selection of shops and eateries. Most of the shopping options are located on the second floor, after security, including gift shops, newsagents, and a duty-free outlet. The airport has many eateries located on the upper level, including snack bars, coffee shops, burger joints, and full-service dining. Children's menus are available at many of the restaurants, and there are also a couple of bars.

The airport has six security checkpoints to service all gates, and TSA PreCheck lanes are available at Checkpoints B and D. The busiest periods are between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, where the wait can reach up to 29 minutes. The shortest wait times are usually between 4:00 am and 5:00 am on Wednesdays.

The airport has plenty of parking options, with nearly 25,000 spots, but they fill up quickly during peak times like Spring Break and the holidays. The new roadway has sixteen lanes over two levels, with departures traffic using the elevated level and arrivals traffic using the ground level. The eight lanes on each level are split into five outer lanes for personal vehicles and three inner lanes for commercial and airport vehicles.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operates two bus routes from the airport terminal: Route 5-Airport (Sprinter) to Uptown Charlotte/CTC and Route 60-Tyvola Road to LYNX Tyvola station. There is also a bus service to the air cargo centre, maintenance facilities, and old terminal via Route 10-West Boulevard to the Charlotte Transportation Center in centre city Charlotte.

Airport rankings

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, or CLT, is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world. In 2022, the airport handled 505,589 arrivals and departures, ranking seventh busiest worldwide for arrivals and departures according to the Airports Council International. The airport is the second-largest hub for American Airlines, offering flights to 178 destinations around the world.

In terms of passenger traffic, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has experienced a significant increase in recent years. In 2022, nearly 48 million people flew through the airport, a 10% jump from 43 million passengers in 2021. This placed the airport as the 10th busiest in North America for passengers and 19th globally for passenger traffic. The airport's busiest days are typically during peak travel times such as Spring Break and holidays, with average daily parking occupancy above 90%.

Prior to 2022, Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranked even higher in terms of arrivals and departures. In 2021, the airport ranked 5th busiest worldwide, and in 2019, it recorded its highest number of passengers with 50 million, just shy of pre-pandemic levels.

Looking forward, 2023 is expected to be a full recovery from the pandemic, with the airport anticipating its busiest summer yet. To accommodate this growth, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has invested $3.1 billion in capacity enhancement projects, including the completion of the Terminal Lobby Expansion and the addition of new concessions and artwork.

In summary, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is consistently ranked as one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world, with high volumes of arrivals, departures, and passenger traffic. The airport continues to invest in enhancements to improve the travel experience and accommodate growing demand.

Frequently asked questions