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.
Mar 5, 2017, 10:09 am
#571
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,018
AA award with a very tight connection
37 minutes between AA domestic flights, the last flight for a day.
There is no flights on AA on the same or the following day to get me on international partner airline flight.
It looks like:
A-B 6PM-8PM
B-C 8:37PM-11PM
from C (the following morning) the partner flight departs before AA earliest flight arrives.
What will happen in case there is not enough actual time (delays and such) to connect in B point?
There is no flights on AA on the same or the following day to get me on international partner airline flight.
It looks like:
A-B 6PM-8PM
B-C 8:37PM-11PM
from C (the following morning) the partner flight departs before AA earliest flight arrives.
What will happen in case there is not enough actual time (delays and such) to connect in B point?
Mar 5, 2017, 10:29 am
#572
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 469
Assuming this is all on one ticket, AA will be responsible on getting you to your international destination.
Hopefully there is a schedule change at some point that would allow you to change flights for a better connection, or AAward inventory opens up on an earlier A-B flight.
On the day of travel, it helps to be proactive and be armed with alternative OneWorld routings, departing from A, B, or C that can get you to your international destination in case of a missed connection.
The agent that rebooks you might not be looking at all possible options, and it makes their job easier when you can tell them what you want.
Hopefully there is a schedule change at some point that would allow you to change flights for a better connection, or AAward inventory opens up on an earlier A-B flight.
On the day of travel, it helps to be proactive and be armed with alternative OneWorld routings, departing from A, B, or C that can get you to your international destination in case of a missed connection.
The agent that rebooks you might not be looking at all possible options, and it makes their job easier when you can tell them what you want.
Mar 5, 2017, 10:29 am
#573
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
37 minutes between AA domestic flights, the last flight for a day.
There is no flights on AA on the same or the following day to get me on international partner airline flight.
It looks like:
A-B 6PM-8PM
B-C 8:37PM-11PM
from C (the following morning) the partner flight departs before AA earliest flight arrives.
What will happen in case there is not enough actual time (delays and such) to connect in B point?
There is no flights on AA on the same or the following day to get me on international partner airline flight.
It looks like:
A-B 6PM-8PM
B-C 8:37PM-11PM
from C (the following morning) the partner flight departs before AA earliest flight arrives.
What will happen in case there is not enough actual time (delays and such) to connect in B point?
Mar 5, 2017, 10:38 am
#574
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,018
Assuming this is all on one ticket, AA will be responsible on getting you to your international destination.
Hopefully there is a schedule change at some point that would allow you to change flights for a better connection, or AAward inventory opens up on an earlier A-B flight.
On the day of travel, it helps to be proactive and be armed with alternative OneWorld routings, departing from A, B, or C that can get you to your international destination in case of a missed connection.
The agent that rebooks you might not be looking at all possible options, and it makes their job easier when you can tell them what you want.
Hopefully there is a schedule change at some point that would allow you to change flights for a better connection, or AAward inventory opens up on an earlier A-B flight.
On the day of travel, it helps to be proactive and be armed with alternative OneWorld routings, departing from A, B, or C that can get you to your international destination in case of a missed connection.
The agent that rebooks you might not be looking at all possible options, and it makes their job easier when you can tell them what you want.
The airport I am flying out is a very small one, so there is no other OneWorld airlines fly out there.
Mar 5, 2017, 11:09 am
#575
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
If you miss your connection and you seek out AA to rebook you, you can tell AA you're willing to wait for the next JAL flight they can confirm in F. You will wait at your own expense unless the delay is demonstrably AA's fault. Air Traffic Control, weather, lack of fuel, lack of crew are not AA's problems per the contract of carriage.
If you get downgraded you can ask for some miles back.
It's not as if AA is going to depart your origin airport an hour early to get you to airport B. They're not going to roll out another JAL aircraft from airport B. There are certain risks in flying, whether multi-carrier/multi-segment or non-stop.
If you get downgraded you can ask for some miles back.
It's not as if AA is going to depart your origin airport an hour early to get you to airport B. They're not going to roll out another JAL aircraft from airport B. There are certain risks in flying, whether multi-carrier/multi-segment or non-stop.
Mar 5, 2017, 11:28 am
#576
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
OP - It is really hard to help people who will not supply the actual details of their itinerary. Without that, all you get is theory. Instead of A, B and C, please provide the specific cities and flights.
People here are often have helpful and practical solutions to seemingly tough problems once they learn what A,B, and C really are.
For others, while the general rule is that it is the responsibility of the late delivering carrier to rebook in the event of a misconnect and that is true for all tickets, cash & awards, the inconvenience always falls on the passenger.
Booking a 37 minute connection D-I for the last flight of the day where the onward flight is apparently to Japan may be within the MCT but is rarely within the SCT (Sensible Connect Time). The best time to deal with these issues is not just before travel, but before booking.
Not every itinerary has convenient connections, but whatever those connections are, they do not get better.
People here are often have helpful and practical solutions to seemingly tough problems once they learn what A,B, and C really are.
For others, while the general rule is that it is the responsibility of the late delivering carrier to rebook in the event of a misconnect and that is true for all tickets, cash & awards, the inconvenience always falls on the passenger.
Booking a 37 minute connection D-I for the last flight of the day where the onward flight is apparently to Japan may be within the MCT but is rarely within the SCT (Sensible Connect Time). The best time to deal with these issues is not just before travel, but before booking.
Not every itinerary has convenient connections, but whatever those connections are, they do not get better.
Mar 5, 2017, 11:35 am
#577
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
OP - It is really hard to help people who will not supply the actual details of their itinerary. Without that, all you get is theory. Instead of A, B and C, please provide the specific cities and flights.
People here are often have helpful and practical solutions to seemingly tough problems once they learn what A,B, and C really are.
For others, while the general rule is that it is the responsibility of the late delivering carrier to rebook in the event of a misconnect and that is true for all tickets, cash & awards, the inconvenience always falls on the passenger.
Booking a 37 minute connection D-I for the last flight of the day where the onward flight is apparently to Japan may be within the MCT but is rarely within the SCT (Sensible Connect Time). The best time to deal with these issues is not just before travel, but before booking.
Not every itinerary has convenient connections, but whatever those connections are, they do not get better.
People here are often have helpful and practical solutions to seemingly tough problems once they learn what A,B, and C really are.
For others, while the general rule is that it is the responsibility of the late delivering carrier to rebook in the event of a misconnect and that is true for all tickets, cash & awards, the inconvenience always falls on the passenger.
Booking a 37 minute connection D-I for the last flight of the day where the onward flight is apparently to Japan may be within the MCT but is rarely within the SCT (Sensible Connect Time). The best time to deal with these issues is not just before travel, but before booking.
Not every itinerary has convenient connections, but whatever those connections are, they do not get better.
I read the OP as the international flight is the next day, and the short connection is D-D at some intermediate domestic airport.
There are some AA airports where a 37 minute connection wouldn't bother me, there are some where I'd consider it insane.
Having the actual airports would clear this confusion up...
Last edited by bse118; Mar 5, 2017 at 11:42 am Reason: clarity
Mar 5, 2017, 1:36 pm
#578
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA LifeTime PLT (2.982 MM, But 3MM+ Total), HHonors GOLD, IHG AMB
Posts: 787
Mar 5, 2017, 3:20 pm
#581
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Yeah, was gonna figure on it. They love those tight connections in CLT. That said, it's the one airport where I'd consider taking that connection. I said consider - there's still plenty of risk. Especially if you're coming in from a truly small airport which will come into terminal E, and then you have to dash over to mainline. Still, most of the time you'd be there with time to spare. But in your case, a misconnect would be a real mess. You're on the early JL flight, but I don't really know the mechanics or likelihood of getting on the later one if you miss out. I'd think it would be slim to none in F. But then again, you've got JL award space to begin with, which is hard enough to come by. This is a tough one...
Mar 5, 2017, 3:57 pm
#582
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
CLT is a piece of cake to make a short connection. If it looks like there's a delay you could see about getting rerouted to JFK. Shouldn't be an issue. If on the off chance is and you miss the JL flight AA will reroute you and keep you in F. It could even be on CX through HKG. (There's two CX flights a day from HKG, though one stops at YVR enroute) Also I didn't think JL flew F from JFK. THE last time I went to book they had switched to a 787 with no J. It may have been a temporary schedule change, but I know I had to connect in ORD to get F on JL.
Edit - it looks like it was a temporary sub. I see the 2nd daily JL flight with 777 on the schedule.
Edit - it looks like it was a temporary sub. I see the 2nd daily JL flight with 777 on the schedule.
Mar 5, 2017, 4:05 pm
#583
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,018
Yeah, was gonna figure on it. They love those tight connections in CLT. That said, it's the one airport where I'd consider taking that connection. I said consider - there's still plenty of risk. Especially if you're coming in from a truly small airport which will come into terminal E, and then you have to dash over to mainline. Still, most of the time you'd be there with time to spare. But in your case, a misconnect would be a real mess. You're on the early JL flight, but I don't really know the mechanics or likelihood of getting on the later one if you miss out. I'd think it would be slim to none in F. But then again, you've got JL award space to begin with, which is hard enough to come by. This is a tough one...
Mar 5, 2017, 5:12 pm
#584
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
37 minutes between AA domestic flights, the last flight for a day.
There is no flights on AA on the same or the following day to get me on international partner airline flight.
It looks like:
A-B 6PM-8PM
B-C 8:37PM-11PM
from C (the following morning) the partner flight departs before AA earliest flight arrives.
What will happen in case there is not enough actual time (delays and such) to connect in B point?
There is no flights on AA on the same or the following day to get me on international partner airline flight.
It looks like:
A-B 6PM-8PM
B-C 8:37PM-11PM
from C (the following morning) the partner flight departs before AA earliest flight arrives.
What will happen in case there is not enough actual time (delays and such) to connect in B point?
/Moderator
Mar 30, 2017, 4:05 pm
#585
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
We have a 4 hours Intl-Domestic connection in CLT Saturday around 4PM.
Looking for a half decent place to eat. I don't expect super food in an airport. Just relatively tasty and safe (meaning indigestion free, non greasy, etc).
Open to most kinds of food.
Looking for a half decent place to eat. I don't expect super food in an airport. Just relatively tasty and safe (meaning indigestion free, non greasy, etc).
Open to most kinds of food.