Lois Larson
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving approximately 178 nonstop destinations and over 50 million passengers annually. The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and has since been renamed several times. Charlotte Douglas is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area and contributes over $32 billion to the state's economy.
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Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located in North Carolina, US
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, US. It is approximately 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 is operated by the City of Charlotte aviation department.
The airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport and opened in 1936. It was originally owned and operated by the city of Charlotte, with funding from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal work-relief program designed to create jobs for unemployed Americans. The airport was North Carolina's largest WPA project, costing $749,985. It featured three runways, a hangar, and one terminal building.
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 facility was returned to the City of Charlotte in 1946, with over $5 million invested in airfield improvements. In 1954, a new 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2) passenger terminal was built, and the airport was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport after former Charlotte mayor Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who had been instrumental in its opening.
In 1979, Piedmont Airlines chose Charlotte as its hub and constructed a new terminal building. The airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 1982. Today, it is one of the world's busiest airports, serving approximately 178 nonstop destinations and handling over 50 million passengers annually. It is a major economic contributor to the state of North Carolina, generating over $32 billion for the state's economy.
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It is one of the world's busiest airports
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is one of the world's busiest airports, ranking sixth globally in 2025 for takeoff and landings.
In 2023, Airports Council International ranked CLT as the seventh busiest airport worldwide for the number of arrivals and departures. In terms of passenger traffic, CLT was ranked 22nd globally in 2023, ninth in North America, and seventh in the United States.
CLT's reputation as one of the world's busiest airports is further cemented by its high passenger and flight count rankings. In 2024, the airport saw a record-breaking 58.8 million passengers, a 10% increase from 2023, and 596,583 flights, an 11% increase from the previous year. This pushed CLT to sixth place globally in landings and takeoffs, overtaking Los Angeles International Airport.
Much of CLT's passenger and flight numbers are due to its status as a hub for American Airlines, which operates the majority of the airport's flights. Additionally, CLT offers nonstop air service to more than 188 destinations worldwide and is home to seven major air carriers, 15 regional carriers, and three foreign flag carriers. The airport has a total of 124 gates across five concourses, with three operating runways.
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The airport was opened in 1936 as Charlotte Municipal Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district. The airport, which is operated by the City of Charlotte's aviation department, covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land.
In early 1941, the United States Army Air Forces took control of the airport and established Charlotte Air Base, which was renamed Morris Field soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The US military invested over $5 million in airfield improvements before the facility was returned to the City of Charlotte in 1946. The airfield was used by the Third Air Force for antisubmarine patrols and training.
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 20 years prior. The terminal had two floors, with passenger operations on the ground floor and a mezzanine restaurant and airline offices on the upper level.
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The airport has a public viewing area
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (IATA: CLT, ICAO: KCLT, FAA LID: CLT) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, it was later renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in honour of Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who was mayor of Charlotte when the airport was first built. In 1982, the airport was renamed to its current name, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The Overlook is easily accessible and can be enjoyed by all, whether you are travelling through the airport or simply visiting. It is located near the terminal building and can be reached using the elevators or stairs near Door 1A or Door 1B. From this vantage point, visitors can witness the bustling aircraft movements and gain a sense of the airport's vast operations.
In addition to the Overlook, Charlotte Douglas International Airport also boasts an on-site aviation museum, further enhancing its appeal to aviation enthusiasts. The museum is located within close proximity to the airport, making it convenient for visitors to explore. The museum showcases the history of aviation and provides an educational and engaging experience for all ages.
The airport is also known for its smoke-free environment, ensuring a healthy and comfortable experience for all. Smoking is prohibited inside the terminal building, including restaurants, bars, lounges, and airline clubs. However, designated smoking areas are available, providing options for smokers while maintaining a balanced and healthy environment for all travellers and visitors to the airport.
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It is one of the few airports with an on-site aviation museum
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, and is one of the few airports with an on-site aviation museum. The airport, established in 1935, is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. It covers 5,558 acres of land and is located roughly 6 miles west of the city's central business district.
The aviation museum located on the field of the airport is known as the Carolinas Aviation Museum. The museum is dedicated to telling the stories of the people who shaped aviation heritage and inspiring the next generation of aviation leaders. It allows students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers to learn STEM concepts related to aviation. The museum's collection includes civil and commercial aircraft, the 1903 Wright Flyer, and military aircraft dating back to World War I. One of the highlights of the museum is the "`Miracle on the Hudson" exhibit, which features the passenger jet from the Hudson River crash landing in 2009.
The Carolinas Aviation Museum is housed in the airport's 1936 Historic Hangar and showcases the economic and cultural development of Charlotte and the Carolinas within the context of aviation. The aircraft collection on display includes a Piedmont Airlines DC-3, a Stearman biplane, an F-84 Thunderjet, a Bellanca 14-9 Crusair, and a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. The exhibit also includes a timeline of aviation in Charlotte, spanning over 100 years, and showcases the airport's evolution into an international travel hub.
In addition to the Carolinas Aviation Museum, the airport also has a public viewing area called The Overlook, where visitors can watch planes take off, land, and taxi. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a smoke-free facility, with smoking prohibited inside the terminal building and all associated areas. However, there is a designated smoking area accessible from inside and outside the terminal using the elevators or stairs near Door 1A or Door 1B.
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Frequently asked questions
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located in North Carolina, United States.
The airport's address is 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway Charlotte, NC 28219.
Charlotte Douglas is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
