Oct 10, 2013, 10:57 am
Last edit by: KenTarmac
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
This is a quick and updated (periodically, by members) summary of post 1 that will be visible at the top of all pages of this thread.
CLT airport website: https://www.cltairport.com/
Link to older archived posts.
American operates flights out of concourses (sometimes) A and (always) B, C, D and E.
Ticket counters
Main Terminal - Daily: 3:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Concourses:
From Airport Website
CLT / Charlotte Douglas International Airport map
CLT / Charlotte Douglas International Airport map
Getting from Concourse to Concourse
There is no need to leave the secure area to move from one concourse to another. *Exceptions are arriving international flights. In such case one has to clear immigration and customs, reclaim bags and proceed through security. [Obviously not applicable for those pre-cleared at selected overseas locations such as DUB] Keep in mind that if you purchased any liquids on the plane (duty free) you will have to follow the 3-1-1 rule and even check the bottles!
There are several moving walkways at the airport. At the least, there is a moving walkway at the beginning of each concourse, sometimes there are several (concourses A and E).
Other moving walkways include:
Security at CLT
Security wait times can vary widely both by time/day. Monday mornings can have long lines. Checkpoints A and B are often the most crowded. When this is the case it's worth the walk to checkpoints C through E to avoid the long lines.
Since all the checkpoints share access to the secure area it really doesn't matter which one you use, they will all get you access to all gates.
Below is a break down of where the TSA precheck lanes are and where the checkpoints drop you off within the airport.
Most of the time CLT is really good in terms of on-time performance. However summer thunderstorms can drastically affect your travel experience.
AA-AA ID .50 BDA - ALL
AA-AA ID .50 COUNTRY BS - ALL
AA-AA ID 1.00 COUNTRY CA - ALL
AA-AA ID .50 COUNTRY IE - ALL
AA-AA ID 1.15 REGION EUR - ALL
AA-AA ID 1.00
--Parking info can be found at this link.
*Security Note: If you park using curbside valet your car will be searched.
Cell Phone Lot: Park for free while waiting for arriving flights at CLT’s Cell Phone Lot. All drivers are required to remain with their vehicles. Parking is provided on a first come, first served basis as space is available.
Rental Cars
Rental cars are in the parking deck directly across from the terminal. Follow the signs to the deck and take the escalator or elevator to the second level where you'll find the rental car counters. You no longer have to take a shuttle to the rental cars.
--More info on Rental Cars
Public Transportation
CATS offers service from CLT:
Visit the CATS Website for more details and schedules.
Where to eat in the airport
--Good map of CLT Dining
CLT Lounges
There are two Currency Exchange locations in CLT, both operated by Travelex:
How quick is baggage claim in CLT?
CLT offers free Wi-Fi around the airport. The Admirals Club provides free access for club members through AT&T.
Do I have time to go into Charlotte?
You could take a cab or the city bus (see post Public Transportation above for info). I would venture to town only if there is more than 3 hours to kill and there is nothing you can do at the airport.
Lyft and Uber can both pick up at the airport.
Where can I smoke at the airport?
There are three:
This is a quick and updated (periodically, by members) summary of post 1 that will be visible at the top of all pages of this thread.
Check-in times Link
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States
Link to older archived posts.
American operates flights out of concourses (sometimes) A and (always) B, C, D and E.
Ticket counters
Main Terminal - Daily: 3:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Concourses:
- Concourse A is used by mostly other airlines (Air Canada, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, United, Via) but American uses Concourse A for some flights
- Concourse B is usually used for flights to the West
- Concourse C is usually used for East coast flights. Republic operated flights fly out of C as well.
- Concourse D (The International Concourse) Most transatlantic flights out of CLT are at the far end of concourse D (Lufthansa and Volaris included)
- D4 (A and B) are also express gates (Piedmont operated flights.)
- Concourse E is the American Eagle concourse (Regional flights – RJs)
From Airport Website
CLT / Charlotte Douglas International Airport map
CLT / Charlotte Douglas International Airport map
Getting from Concourse to Concourse
There is no need to leave the secure area to move from one concourse to another. *Exceptions are arriving international flights. In such case one has to clear immigration and customs, reclaim bags and proceed through security. [Obviously not applicable for those pre-cleared at selected overseas locations such as DUB] Keep in mind that if you purchased any liquids on the plane (duty free) you will have to follow the 3-1-1 rule and even check the bottles!
There are several moving walkways at the airport. At the least, there is a moving walkway at the beginning of each concourse, sometimes there are several (concourses A and E).
Other moving walkways include:
- Across the atrium between concourses A, B and C.
- Between the security checkpoint C exit and concourses D and E.
Security at CLT
Security wait times can vary widely both by time/day. Monday mornings can have long lines. Checkpoints A and B are often the most crowded. When this is the case it's worth the walk to checkpoints C through E to avoid the long lines.
Since all the checkpoints share access to the secure area it really doesn't matter which one you use, they will all get you access to all gates.
Below is a break down of where the TSA precheck lanes are and where the checkpoints drop you off within the airport.
- A Checkpoint: Standard 4 a.m. – 8:15 p.m.
- B Checkpoint: Standard, Main Pre✓ ® 4 a.m. – 8:15 p.m.
- C Checkpoint: Standard, Flex Lanes 5 a.m. – 9:15 p.m.
- C Checkpoint: Employee 4 a.m. - 10:15 p.m.
- D Checkpoint: Main Pre✓ ®, Preferred 6 a.m. – 10:15 p.m.
- E Checkpoint: Standard 4:30 a.m. – 10:45 p.m.
Most of the time CLT is really good in terms of on-time performance. However summer thunderstorms can drastically affect your travel experience.
- Domestic Connections: MCT is 40 minutes. A minimum 1 hour scheduled connection time should be sufficient for domestic connections.
- According to ExpertFlyer, the current MCT for American Airlines International-Domestic are:
AA-AA ID .50 BDA - ALL
AA-AA ID .50 COUNTRY BS - ALL
AA-AA ID 1.00 COUNTRY CA - ALL
AA-AA ID .50 COUNTRY IE - ALL
AA-AA ID 1.15 REGION EUR - ALL
AA-AA ID 1.00
- MCT for anything involving international flights is 90 minutes; that will work for domestic to international, but:
- I'm a non-US passport holder connecting in CLT from an international to a domestic flight. How long of a layover should I schedule?
A: MCT is 90 minutes, but you should schedule a minimum of 2 hours to be safe to accommodate CBP, claiming your bags and then rechecking. (ie: LHR-CLT-PHX)
--Parking info can be found at this link.
*Security Note: If you park using curbside valet your car will be searched.
Cell Phone Lot: Park for free while waiting for arriving flights at CLT’s Cell Phone Lot. All drivers are required to remain with their vehicles. Parking is provided on a first come, first served basis as space is available.
Rental Cars
Rental cars are in the parking deck directly across from the terminal. Follow the signs to the deck and take the escalator or elevator to the second level where you'll find the rental car counters. You no longer have to take a shuttle to the rental cars.
--More info on Rental Cars
Public Transportation
CATS offers service from CLT:
- Route 5 Sprinter Airport Express - To Center City (Uptown)
Visit the CATS Website for more details and schedules.
Where to eat in the airport
--Good map of CLT Dining
CLT Lounges
- American Airlines has two Admirals Clubs in CLT: A larger one between concourses C and D and smaller newly renovated one in concourse B.
- AMEX is adding a new Centurion lounge, at CLT. It will be located after security at the intersection of Concourses D and E, on the top floor of a new airport expansion. Opening Monday, February 24, 2020
- The Club CLT. Priority Pass lounge located in the A gate connector.
There are two Currency Exchange locations in CLT, both operated by Travelex:
- One location in the center court atrium inside the secured area (airside). This location is open from 7 AM to 10 PM seven days a week.
- A second currency exchange location has been added at the entrance to the D concourse in front of gates D1 and D2. This location is open from 6:30 AM to 10 PM seven days a week.
How quick is baggage claim in CLT?
- Baggage claim returns in CLT tend to run a little longer than most airports. Expect a wait time of 20 to 25 minutes on average after deplaning. Depending on workload baggage returns can run upwards of 30 to 45 minutes.
- Baggage returns for flights arriving on the E concourse and the A Concourse extension can take up to 45 minutes.
- There is one the 2nd floor of the Atrium. More info available here: www.cltairportchapel.org
CLT offers free Wi-Fi around the airport. The Admirals Club provides free access for club members through AT&T.
Do I have time to go into Charlotte?
You could take a cab or the city bus (see post Public Transportation above for info). I would venture to town only if there is more than 3 hours to kill and there is nothing you can do at the airport.
Lyft and Uber can both pick up at the airport.
Where can I smoke at the airport?
- Charlotte Douglas International is a smoke free facility. Smoking is prohibited in all public areas, which includes all restaurants and bars.
- Smokers on the front curb of the terminal are encouraged to use courtesy areas on each end of Baggage Claim and Ticketing levels.
There are three:
- Concourse A Connector
- Concourse A/B Connector
- Concourse D
GUIDE: CLT / Charlotte Douglas Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
May 19, 2014, 10:56 am
#61
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
~Moderator
May 23, 2014, 9:52 am
#62
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Amb./LTP
Posts: 287
New domestic concourse at CLT
I figured you all might be more interested in this than my cohorts over on the DL forum, but exciting news for those who transit through CLT!
It looks like the plan for the new international terminal off concourse A at CLT is on hold, and they're building a new concourse in its place. Very smart move for incremental growth, IMO.
Do you think this is just to add more non-US/AA gates, or will US/AA likely take some of the existing A gates?
I wonder they'll call the new concourse. Logically, it would become the A concourse (with the current counter-clockwise A-B-C-etc. naming convention). I don't see them renaming every concourse, though, so the new concourse will probably be gates A13-20/24, no?
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...l#.U39p46xOWAg
It looks like the plan for the new international terminal off concourse A at CLT is on hold, and they're building a new concourse in its place. Very smart move for incremental growth, IMO.
Do you think this is just to add more non-US/AA gates, or will US/AA likely take some of the existing A gates?
I wonder they'll call the new concourse. Logically, it would become the A concourse (with the current counter-clockwise A-B-C-etc. naming convention). I don't see them renaming every concourse, though, so the new concourse will probably be gates A13-20/24, no?
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...l#.U39p46xOWAg
May 24, 2014, 2:22 pm
#64
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: KCLT/KGSO/KMGM
Posts: 222
I figured you all might be more interested in this than my cohorts over on the DL forum, but exciting news for those who transit through CLT!
It looks like the plan for the new international terminal off concourse A at CLT is on hold, and they're building a new concourse in its place. Very smart move for incremental growth, IMO.
Do you think this is just to add more non-US/AA gates, or will US/AA likely take some of the existing A gates?
I wonder they'll call the new concourse. Logically, it would become the A concourse (with the current counter-clockwise A-B-C-etc. naming convention). I don't see them renaming every concourse, though, so the new concourse will probably be gates A13-20/24, no?
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...l#.U39p46xOWAg
It looks like the plan for the new international terminal off concourse A at CLT is on hold, and they're building a new concourse in its place. Very smart move for incremental growth, IMO.
Do you think this is just to add more non-US/AA gates, or will US/AA likely take some of the existing A gates?
I wonder they'll call the new concourse. Logically, it would become the A concourse (with the current counter-clockwise A-B-C-etc. naming convention). I don't see them renaming every concourse, though, so the new concourse will probably be gates A13-20/24, no?
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...l#.U39p46xOWAg
If they build this terminal re actively for domestic flights they might regret it 10-15 years down the road. But that's just my two cent.
May 25, 2014, 1:58 pm
#65
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
But you're assuming the message was "minimal international growth", when in fact the message may have been a significant "reduction" in international flights. Seems unlikely that if in fact CLT is scaled back internationally, that it would be revived in some reasonable future to justify the added construction costs, which as a fortress hub, would have to be primarily borne by AA.
May 26, 2014, 12:59 pm
#67
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 414
The D concourse is international only, no domestic flights from D. As customs and immigration is below Concourse D only international flights may arrive at D and if the aircraft is being used for a domestic flight (like a A330 arriving from LHR then going to PHL) will be towed to B.
May 26, 2014, 2:37 pm
#68
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
The D concourse is international only, no domestic flights from D. As customs and immigration is below Concourse D only international flights may arrive at D and if the aircraft is being used for a domestic flight (like a A330 arriving from LHR then going to PHL) will be towed to B.
May 26, 2014, 3:02 pm
#69
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat
Posts: 118
The D concourse is international only, no domestic flights from D. As customs and immigration is below Concourse D only international flights may arrive at D and if the aircraft is being used for a domestic flight (like a A330 arriving from LHR then going to PHL) will be towed to B.
May 26, 2014, 5:52 pm
#70
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat., HH Gold
Posts: 342
Personally it think it is a bad economically move if the don't at least build it up to international gate standards with access to customs. I understand the may have got tipped that their is going to be minimal international growth with the merger, but during peak Euro departure times during the summer several wide body aircraft are forced to use the B gates because of arriving Caribbean narrow bodies.
If they build this terminal re actively for domestic flights they might regret it 10-15 years down the road. But that's just my two cent.
If they build this terminal re actively for domestic flights they might regret it 10-15 years down the road. But that's just my two cent.
May 26, 2014, 6:10 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: Choice Hotels/FFOCUS
Posts: 7,256
This is correct info unless something changed since I retired.
May 26, 2014, 7:55 pm
#72
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,558
A US Guide to CLT (The Charlotte airport)
Lots of domestic flights out of D. Those airplanes come in from the islands, Mexico, and other international destinations and fly a domestic flight afterwards. Lots of domestic arrivals on D as well, with the next flight departing to international destinations.
May 27, 2014, 1:26 am
#73
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 414
Also if the aircraft is doing a PHL-CLT-CUN run, it will arrive at B, be towed to D and depart to Cancun. If it is the morning, lets say an A332 is doing a GRU-CLT-PHL run, it will arrive and depart from D because it is before the afternoon international rush and there are no other international flights arriving or departing before 9:00 after the plane has left for Philly.
Jun 1, 2014, 2:49 pm
#74
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
This may be anecdotal, but I think the free Wifi works better in the food court area. Last month I had a miserable time using the Wifi at Gate C2 and C3 and then this weekend I tried it again sitting in a rocking chair by the food court and it actually worked pretty well.