Owais Crawford
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, it was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in 1954 in honour of former Charlotte Mayor Ben Elbert Douglas Sr. In 1982, the airport was renamed to its current name and is now one of the busiest airports in the United States in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft operations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
| Distance from Charlotte's central business district | 6 miles (9.7 km) |
| Area | 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) |
| Year of establishment | 1935 |
| Year of opening | 1936 |
| Former names | Charlotte Municipal Airport, Douglas Municipal Airport |
| Current name | Charlotte Douglas International Airport |
| Year of renaming to current name | 1982 |
| Year of Piedmont Airlines choosing Charlotte as its hub | 1979 |
| Area in square feet | 2.2 million |
| Number of concourses | 5 (A through E) |
| Number of gates | 124 |
| Number of runways | 3 |
| Public transport access | Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus routes: Route 5-Airport (Sprinter), Route 60-Tyvola Road |
| Rental car services | Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Advantage |
| Aviation museum | Sullenberger Aviation Museum |
| Aircraft in the museum | Over 50, including a DC-3, one of two surviving Douglas D-558 Skystreak aircraft, and the oldest surviving US-built Harrier |
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What You'll Learn
Charlotte Douglas International Airport's address
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city's central business district. The airport serves as the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area. It is operated by the city of Charlotte's aviation department and covers 5,558 acres (2,249 ha) of land. The address for the airport is 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28219.
The airport has a long history, established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport. It was later renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in honour of Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who was the mayor of Charlotte when the airport was first built. Finally, in 1982, the airport was renamed to its current name, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The airport is easily accessible by car, with multiple exits and routes leading to the airport from the surrounding area. For example, one can take Exit 32 to Little Rock Road and proceed south, continuing straight through the traffic lights onto North Josh Birmingham Parkway. Another option is to take Exit 33 to Billy Graham Parkway and then exit onto Josh Birmingham Parkway at the airport sign.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport also has a public transportation system, with the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operating two bus routes from the airport terminal. These routes provide connections to Uptown Charlotte and the LYNX Tyvola station, as well as the air cargo centre and maintenance facilities.
The airport features a variety of amenities, including a rental car facility located in front of the terminal, with various companies offering their services. Additionally, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the few airports in the United States with a public viewing area, where visitors can watch planes land and take off.
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How to get to the airport
The Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is a major hub for American Airlines. The airport is conveniently positioned just west of the city centre, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city and surrounding areas. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to get to the airport:
By Car:
The airport is reachable via Interstate 85 (I-85) and Interstate 77 (I-77), which are the two main highways that intersect near the airport. From I-85, take Exit 33 and follow the signs to the airport. If you're coming from I-77, take Exit 9B and follow the airport signage. There are several parking options available at the airport, including hourly, daily, and long-term parking lots, as well as cell phone waiting areas for those picking up passengers.
Using a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft is also a convenient way to get to the airport. You can be dropped off at the designated rideshare zone located at the Hourly Deck of the airport terminal.
By Public Transportation:
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) provides a convenient and affordable way to get to the airport. The Sprinter Bus Service, also known as Route 5, offers express service between the airport and the Charlotte Transportation Centre (CTC) in Uptown Charlotte. The bus departs every 20 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes during off-peak hours. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes, and you can pay your fare in cash or use the CATS Pass mobile app.
Additionally, the City LYNX Gold Line is a modern streetcar service that connects the CTC to various points of interest in Uptown Charlotte. From the CTC, you can transfer to the Sprinter Bus Service to reach the airport.
By Taxi:
Taxis are readily available at the airport and provide a direct and comfortable way to get there. Taxi stands can be found at the Arrivals level of the airport terminal. Fares vary depending on your starting point, and you can expect to pay a standard metered rate.
With its central location and multiple transportation options, getting to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport is straightforward and convenient. Whether you choose to drive, use public transportation, or take a taxi or rideshare service, you can be assured of a smooth journey to the airport.
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History of the airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, with a high ranking in North America and globally for passenger traffic and aircraft operations.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport was established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, a civilian airport owned and operated by the city of Charlotte. The airport was developed as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program, a New Deal work-relief initiative to provide employment for the millions of unemployed Americans during the Great Depression.
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 over $5 million in improvements before returning the facility to Charlotte in 1946.
The airport was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport in 1954 in honour of former Charlotte Mayor Ben Elbert Douglas Sr., who oversaw its opening two decades prior. The original terminal had two floors, with passenger operations on the ground floor and a mezzanine restaurant and airline offices on the upper level.
In the late 1970s, the aviation industry was deregulated, leading to an increase in passenger travel at the airport. In 1979, Piedmont Airlines chose the airport as its hub, adding new routes and constructing a new terminal building. This expansion continued into the 1980s, with the addition of non-stop flights to the US West Coast and the opening of a new passenger terminal in 1982. The airport was renamed Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 1982 to reflect its growing status.
Piedmont Airlines began its first international flights in 1987, and despite being acquired in 1989, Charlotte remained a major hub with the introduction of transatlantic flights. The airport continued to expand with the addition of new concourses in the 1990s and 2000s to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic.
Today, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a major hub for American Airlines, offering nonstop air service to over 188 destinations worldwide. The airport has grown significantly, contributing to the state's economy and supporting a large number of jobs. It is known for its unique features, including a public viewing area, an aviation museum, and a smoke-free facility.
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The airport's busiest years
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is the primary airport for commercial and military use in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport 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. The airport was also the fifth busiest in terms of aircraft operations, ranking sixth globally.
In 2021, the airport grew even busier, becoming the sixth busiest in the United States. That year, it was also ranked as the seventh busiest airport worldwide by Airports Council International for the number of arrivals and departures. Globally, CLT's passenger traffic ranked 22nd.
The airport's popularity continued to grow, and in 2024, it broke records with 58,811,725 passengers, while aircraft arrivals and departures rose to 596,583.
CLT is a major "hub" airport, serving as a fortress hub for American Airlines, which operates most of the airport's flights. The airport 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's facilities include a rental car facility with 3,000 cars from eight rental companies, an aviation museum, and a public viewing area where visitors can watch planes land and take off.
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Attractions at the airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte's central business district in North Carolina. It is one of the few airports in the United States with a public viewing area, where visitors can watch planes land and taxi, and take in the view of the runways and concourse. The viewing area also has bathroom facilities, a food truck, a restored F-4 Phantom II on display, and a children's playground.
The airport is also home to the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, which was established in 1992 and features a collection of over 50 aircraft, including a rare Douglas D-558 Skystreak and the oldest surviving US-built Harrier. The museum also boasts an extensive aviation library with over 9,000 volumes and a large photography collection. One of the more unique exhibits is the US Airways Airbus A320 that was ditched in the Hudson River in 2009.
The original Charlotte Municipal Airport terminal, which opened in 1936, still exists and is used for offices and training rooms by various aviation-related organisations. The airport also has a large rental car facility, with 3000 cars from eight rental companies, and is served by two bus routes operated by the Charlotte Area Transit System.
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Frequently asked questions
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located roughly 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.
The airport is located approximately 15 minutes from the center of Uptown Charlotte.
The airport's address is 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway Charlotte, NC 28219.
