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Charlotte Douglas International Airport (IATA: CLT, ICAO: KCLT, FAA LID: CLT) is the primary airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, it has grown to become the sixth busiest airport in the United States as of 2021. The airport covers 5,558 acres of land and features three operating runways and one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Charlotte Douglas International Airport |
| IATA | CLT |
| ICAO | KCLT |
| FAA LID | CLT |
| Location | 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte's central business district, North Carolina, United States |
| Year of establishment | 1935 |
| Previous names | Charlotte Municipal Airport, Douglas Municipal Airport |
| Operator | City of Charlotte's aviation department |
| Area | 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) |
| Number of runways | 3 |
| Number of passenger terminals | 1 |
| Number of gates | 124 |
| Number of concourses | 5 |
| Airlines | American Airlines, Air Canada, JetBlue, United, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit |
| Passenger traffic (2019) | 50 million+ |
| Aircraft operations (2019) | 5th-busiest in the US, 6th globally |
| Ranking (2021) | 6th busiest airport in the US |
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What You'll Learn
Charlotte Douglas International Airport's history
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located about 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. Operated by the city of Charlotte's aviation department, the airport covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land.
The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport. It was originally a municipal airfield for the greater Charlotte area and has grown into a major hub for American Airlines. The development of the airport was part of the 1930s US Works Progress Administration program, which aimed to provide employment for millions of Americans who were out of work during the Great Depression. Charlotte received WPA funding to establish the city's first municipal airport, which was, at the time, the largest single WPA project in the country. The airport incorporated a terminal, hangar, beacon tower, and three runways.
In 1936, Charlotte Municipal Airport opened, operated by the City of Charlotte, and Eastern Air Lines began scheduled passenger service in 1937. In 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 more than $5 million in airfield improvements before returning the facility to the City of Charlotte in 1946.
In 1954, a new 70,000-square-foot 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 1979, Piedmont Airlines chose Charlotte as the hub for its expanding network and began developing a new terminal building. In 1982, the airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport. A new 325,000-square-foot passenger terminal opened the same year, and Concourses A, B, and C were added or expanded in the mid-1980s to handle future growth. In 1987, Piedmont started non-stop flights to London.
In 1989, Piedmont merged with USAir, and in 1990, a new international and commuter concourse (Concourse D) opened. In 2013, following the merger of US Airways and American Airlines, Charlotte became the second-largest hub for the merged airline. In 2015, airport officials announced the "CLT 2015" plan, kicking off construction of the new Destination CLT airport development plan, representing a $2.5 billion investment in the airport's future growth. In 2019, CLT served a record 50 million passengers, ranking as the 11th busiest airport in the US in terms of passenger traffic.
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Passenger traffic and growth
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is among the world's busiest airports. In 2019, it was the 11th busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger traffic, processing over 50 million passengers. In 2019, it was also the fifth busiest in terms of aircraft operations, ranking sixth globally.
CLT's growth in passenger traffic has been significant over the years. After airline deregulation, passenger numbers nearly doubled between 1978 and 1980. In 1982, a new 325,000-square-foot passenger terminal opened, and the airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport. To accommodate future growth, Concourse A was built in 1986, and Concourses B and C were expanded in 1987 and 1984, respectively.
In 2013, with the merger of US Airways and American Airlines, Charlotte became the second-largest hub for the merged airline. This was followed by the announcement of the "CLT 2015" plan in 2015, which kicked off construction of the new Destination CLT airport development plan. This plan represents a $2.5 billion investment in the airport's future growth. As part of this plan, Concourse A North, a nine-gate expansion, was completed in the summer of 2018, accommodating several major airlines.
CLT continued its growth trajectory, breaking passenger records in 2024 with 58.8 million passengers, a 10% increase from 2023. This growth prompted further construction and expansion projects. In 2025, the airport is scheduled to finish its Terminal Lobby Expansion project, adding 175,000 square feet to the lobby and renovating existing spaces. Additionally, work is underway to renovate Concourses D and E, with expected completion dates in 2026 and 2027, respectively. These ongoing investments and expansion projects at CLT aim to keep up with the region's growth and the increasing number of passengers choosing to fly through Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
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Airport facilities and amenities
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the main airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina. It is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district. In 2021, it was the sixth busiest airport in the United States, serving over 50 million passengers annually.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has numerous facilities and amenities for passengers. The airport features a single terminal building with five departures concourses (A, B, C, D, and E). The terminal includes various passenger facilities, such as cash machines, a bank with bureau de change services, a 24-hour chapel, and a first-aid station. There are also several conference rooms available for business travellers, ranging from small offices to auditorium-sized spaces. The airport provides telephones and business facilities at the executive airline lounges.
The airport offers a wide range of shopping and dining options. Most shops and eateries are located on the second floor, after security. Passengers can find gift shops, newsagents, and a duty-free outlet offering savings on items like tobacco, alcohol, and jewellery. The dining options include snack bars, coffee shops, burger joints, and full-service restaurants with children's menus. There are also bars located within the airport.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport provides excellent facilities for disabled passengers. These include ramps and elevators, adapted toilets, and TTY-text telephones throughout the terminal. The airport also offers wireless internet access for passengers with enabled laptop computers.
The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to enhance its facilities. In 2018, Concourse A North, a nine-gate expansion, was completed, featuring digital artwork by Refik Anadol. In November 2019, the East Terminal Expansion added 51,000 square feet of space, including a food court, "The Plaza", and an upper-level Centurion Lounge. The Destination CLT development plan represents a $2.5 billion investment in the airport's future growth, including terminal renovations and improvements.
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Airlines operating from the airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte's central business district in North Carolina. 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 has 3 operating runways and one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses.
CLT is a fortress hub for American Airlines, which operates the majority of the airport's flights. The airline has a long history with the airport, which became a hub for the airline in 1979 when it was known as Piedmont Airlines. In 2013, following the merger of US Airways and American Airlines, Charlotte became the second-largest hub for the merged airline.
Other airlines that operate from CLT include Air Canada, JetBlue, United, Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit, which are all located in Concourse A North. Additionally, Sun Country, Vacation Express, and Viva Aerobus offer service on a charter and/or seasonal basis.
The airport has a variety of amenities for passengers, including a food court, a Centurion Lounge, and a smoking area. It is also home to the Charlotte Air National Guard base and its host unit, the 145th Airlift Wing of the North Carolina Air National Guard.
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Airport reviews
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the primary airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district. The airport has undergone significant growth and development over the years, with various expansion projects aimed at enhancing its capacity and functionality.
Reviews of Charlotte Douglas International Airport are mixed. Some passengers appreciate the airport's variety of dining options, including quality food and large restaurants. The airport also features a fun food court and several lounges. However, others have criticised the limited eatery choices, with restaurants located far from certain gates. The cleanliness of the airport has also been a point of contention, with some reviewers describing it as "filthy" and in need of better management.
The airport's busy nature can be appealing to plane enthusiasts, especially those travelling with children, as it provides ample opportunities to watch planes take off and land. However, the crowds and delays can also make it challenging to navigate and access certain areas. Construction work has been ongoing, impacting the overall experience. Signage has been reported as inadequate, and some travellers have encountered unhelpful or rude staff, particularly TSA and law enforcement employees.
Despite these challenges, some travellers have praised the friendly staff and relatively painless waiting times. The airport also offers a range of retail options, including large bookstores and various stores selling knick-knacks, snacks, and magazines. Overall, while Charlotte Douglas International Airport has its strengths, there are areas where improvements can be made to enhance the customer experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
CLT.
In 2021, Charlotte Douglas International Airport was the sixth busiest airport in the United States. In 2019, it was the 11th busiest airport in the US in terms of passenger traffic, having processed over 50 million passengers.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has 3 runways and one passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has a food court called 'The Plaza' on the main level of the East Terminal Expansion. The upper level of the East Terminal Expansion includes a Centurion Lounge.
