Oct 10, 2013, 10:57 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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.

Quote:

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

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:

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)

Maps
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.

Note: One does have to take stairs/escalator or elevator to get to concourse E as it is on ground level.

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.

Reasonable and Minimum connection times in CLT
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 AUA - ALL
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 at CLT
--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.

Currency Exchange
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.

Is there a Chapel/Prayer Space?

There is one the 2nd floor of the Atrium. More info available here: www.cltairportchapel.org

Wireless 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?

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.

Are there pet relief areas airside?
There are three:

Concourse A Connector
Concourse A/B Connector
Concourse D

GUIDE: CLT / Charlotte Douglas Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 27, 2017, 7:49 am

#646

cheltzel

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: ORD

Programs: AA, UA, GE

Posts: 5,123

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee18

I was just told by AAdvantage Desk that MCT for flights from international connecting to domestic is 2 hours. Might need to update the wiki if someone else's experience lines to this.

The longest published International-Domestic MCT I see for AA at CLT is 75 minutes. The default I-D MCT is 60 minutes. Not saying that a 2 hour connection time is not a good idea. But it seems they were trying to give you good advice rather than indicating what the actual MCT is at CLT.

[KVS Tool 8.7.6 - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: CLT/AA-AA]

Code:

DD DI ID II
STANDARD: CLT 040 060 060 060

INTER-AIRPORT: CLT TO QWG 240 240 240 240
QWG TO CLT 240 240 240 240

EXCEPTIONS:
A/L FLT-NBR EQP DEPARR AREA EFF / DISC

AA 0001-9099 CA SUP SUP SUP SUP
AA 0001-9099 CA

AA 0001-9099 MX SUP SUP SUP SUP
AA 0001-9099 MX

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E70 AUA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E70 BDA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E75 AUA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E75 BDA

AA 2815-6099 E70 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70

AA 2815-6099 E75 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70

AA 2815-6099 E70 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75

AA 2815-6099 E75 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75

AA 0001-6099 CA 14APR16 050 --- --- ---
AA 2755-6099 E70

AA 0001-6099 CA 14APR16 050 --- --- ---
AA 2755-6099 E75

AA 0001-2814 BS 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E70

AA 0001-2814 IE 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E70

AA 0001-2814 PR 15SEP17 030 --- 030 ---
AA 2780-6099 E70

AA 0001-2814 VI 15SEP17 030 --- 030 ---
AA 2780-6099 E70

AA 0001-2814 BS 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E75

AA 0001-2814 IE 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E75

AA 0001-2814 PR 15SEP17 030 --- 030 ---
AA 2780-6099 E75

AA 0001-2814 VI 15SEP17 030 --- 030 ---
AA 2780-6099 E75

AA 0001-6099 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70

AA 0001-6099 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75

AA 2815-6099 E70 15SEP17 030 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70

AA 2815-6099 E75 15SEP17 030 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70

AA 2815-6099 E70 15SEP17 030 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75

AA 2815-6099 E75 15SEP17 030 --- --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 030 035 --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E70

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 030 035 --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E75

AA 2815-6099 15SEP17 035 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70

AA 2815-6099 15SEP17 035 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 0001-6099 AUA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 0001-6099 BDA

AA 2815-6099 E70 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 0001-6099

AA 2815-6099 E75 CA 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-2814 BS 15SEP17 050 --- --- ---
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-6099 CA 14APR16 050 --- --- 050
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-2814 IE 15SEP17 050 050 --- ---
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-2814 PR 15SEP17 030 --- 030 ---
AA 0001-2814

AA 0001-2814 VI 15SEP17 030 --- 030 ---
AA 0001-2814

AA 0001-2814 PR 15SEP17 035 --- 035 ---
AA 2780-6099

AA 0001-2814 VI 15SEP17 035 --- 035 ---
AA 2780-6099

AA 2780-6099 E70 15SEP17 030 035 --- ---
AA 0001-2814

AA 2780-6099 E75 15SEP17 030 035 --- ---
AA 0001-2814

AA 2815-6099 E70 15SEP17 035 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099

AA 2815-6099 E75 15SEP17 035 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 030 035 --- ---
AA 0001-2814

AA 2780-6099 15SEP17 035 035 --- ---
AA 0001-2814

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 035 035 --- ---
AA 2780-6099

AA 2815-6099 15SEP17 025 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099

AA 6100-9099 14APR16 SUP --- --- ---
AA 6100-9099

-ALL- CA 01SEP16 SUP SUP SUP SUP
AA CA

-ALL- MX 01SEP16 SUP SUP SUP SUP
AA MX

AA CA 050 --- --- ---
-ALL-

AA 2815-6099 E70 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70 CA

AA 2815-6099 E75 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70 CA

AA 2815-6099 E70 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75 CA

AA 2815-6099 E75 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75 CA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E70 CA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 2780-6099 E75 CA

AA 2815-6099 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E70 CA

AA 2815-6099 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 E75 CA

AA 0001-6099 CA 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 PR

AA 0001-2814 IE 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 PR

AA 0001-6099 CA 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 VI

AA 0001-2814 IE 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 VI

AA 2780-6099 E70 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 CA

AA 2780-6099 E75 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 CA

AA 2815-6099 E70 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 CA

AA 2815-6099 E75 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 CA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 CA

AA 2780-6099 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 CA

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 PR

AA 2780-6099 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 PR

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 030 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 VI

AA 2780-6099 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 VI

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 035 --- ---
AA 2780-6099 CA

AA 2815-6099 15SEP17 --- 025 --- ---
AA 2815-6099 CA

-ALL- 15SEP17 --- 045 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 PR

-ALL- 15SEP17 --- 045 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 VI

-ALL- --- SUP --- SUP
AA 0001-9099 CU

AA 0001-6099 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 AUA EUR

AA 0001-6099 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 BDA EUR

AA 0001-6099 BS 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 EUR

AA 0001-6099 CA 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 EUR

AA 0001-2814 IE 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 EUR

AA 0001-6099 15SEP17 --- 050 --- ---
AA 0001-2814 EUR

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 090 --- ---
-ALL- PR

AA 0001-2814 15SEP17 --- 090 --- ---
-ALL- VI

AA 0001-6099 IE 14APR16 --- --- 050 ---
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-6099 CU --- --- 075 060
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-2814 EUR 15SEP17 --- --- 075 075
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-6099 14APR16 --- --- 060 060
AA 0001-6099

-ALL- 14APR16 --- --- 075 075
AA 0001-6099

-ALL- 14APR16 --- --- SUP SUP
AA 6100-9099

AA 0001-6099 14APR16 --- --- 075 075
-ALL-

AA 6100-9099 14APR16 --- --- SUP SUP
-ALL-

AA 0001-6099 --- --- --- 075
AA 0001-6099 CU

AA 6100-9999 --- --- --- SUP
AA 6100-9999 CU

AA 0001-2814 PR 15SEP17 --- --- --- 050
AA 0001-2814 EUR

AA 0001-2814 VI 15SEP17 --- --- --- 050
AA 0001-2814 EUR

AA 0001-2814 PR 15SEP17 --- --- --- 035
AA 0001-6099

AA 0001-2814 VI 15SEP17 --- --- --- 035
AA 0001-6099

AA 6100-9999 CU --- --- --- SUP
AA 6100-9999

AA 0001-9099 CU --- --- --- SUP
-ALL-

---------------------------------------------------------------

[DD] Domestic To Domestic [DEP] Departure Airport
[DI] Domestic To Intl [ARR] Arrival Airport
[ID] Intl To Domestic [A/L] Airline
[II] Intl To Intl [TR] Terminal
[EQP W] Wide-Body Aircraft [EFF] Effective Date
[EQP N] Narrow-Body Aircraft [SUP] Suppressed/Prohibited

Dec 27, 2017, 8:21 am

#647

coffee18

Join Date: Mar 2013

Posts: 299

Interesting. I booked via miles AA745, BCN-CLT arriving at 6:05pm, 7/11/18. Destination is IAD. There is milesaver availability for both the 7:59pm and 10:09pm that evening, but I was unable to book 7:59pm, either online or via calling later to change the 10:09 to 7:59. 7:59 is still more than 75 minutes.

Not a big deal either way.

Dec 27, 2017, 8:22 am

#648

cheltzel

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: ORD

Programs: AA, UA, GE

Posts: 5,123

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee18

There could be an updated MCT table. Maybe someone with an EF subscription could post what EF has for this MCT.

Dec 29, 2017, 11:40 pm

#649

CMK10

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheltzel

There could be an updated MCT table. Maybe someone with an EF subscription could post what EF has for this MCT.

Quote:

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE .40 1.00 1.00 1.00

If I'm reading that right then anything involving International is an hour.

Dec 30, 2017, 7:32 am

#650

cheltzel

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: ORD

Programs: AA, UA, GE

Posts: 5,123

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMK10

If I'm reading that right then anything involving International is an hour.

That is what I saw too. But there were some specific flight ranges and dates listed way down in the table that had 75 minutes as exceptions. Probably not relevant for the OP but they were there.

Jan 10, 2018, 9:11 am

#651

chiefs11

Join Date: Mar 2017

Posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee18

I was just told by AAdvantage Desk that MCT for flights from international connecting to domestic is 2 hours. Might need to update the wiki if someone else's experience lines to this.

This has me a little concerned.. Arriving on AA705 from FRA next thursday, connecting to AA559 to PHL. Arrival is 2:20pm with departure at 4:35. We are travelling in Business / First, so should be off the plane quickly. . but I've never connected international through CLT before. How quick is the baggage claim process there?

Jan 10, 2018, 10:12 am

#652

JJeffrey

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: RDU <|> MMX

Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS

Posts: 12,483

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefs11

2:15 is plenty of time at CLT to clear immigration and customs, I wouldn't be worried at all.

Jan 10, 2018, 10:49 am

#653

chiefs11

Join Date: Mar 2017

Posts: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJeffrey

2:15 is plenty of time at CLT to clear immigration and customs, I wouldn't be worried at all.

Thanks. That's what I thought too, but just wanted to make sure based on that 2 hour MCT comment above.

Was trying to decide if I should try and go with just carry-ons, or if we'd have time to collect and re-check the bags.

Mar 23, 2018, 8:37 am

#654

IADCAflyer

Join Date: Sep 2000

Location: DCA/IAD

Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt

Posts: 7,816

God, not sure how many people have seen this, but the longer term plan for CLT is to make this airport significantly larger:

25 new gates in A (done in two phases)

10-12 new gates in C

8-10 new gates in B

Fourth runway.

Destination CLT Projects

Mar 23, 2018, 10:48 am

#655

FlyerWx

Join Date: Sep 2016

Location: LAX/BUR, RDU

Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG

Posts: 1,360

Quote:

Originally Posted by IADCAflyer

I hadn't heard about this, but, ewww...

The new plan has the airport looking like a spider (8+ legs and all that). Imagine walking nearly 1 mile to make an E to A connection

MIA Concourse D is ~0.9 miles but at least there's the SkyTrain

Mar 23, 2018, 11:20 am

#656

IADCAflyer

Join Date: Sep 2000

Location: DCA/IAD

Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt

Posts: 7,816

I was thinking that last image:

looks more like Mr. Krabs from Sponge Bob.

pmblinn likes this.

Mar 28, 2018, 8:41 am

#657

Pralina

Join Date: Mar 2018

Posts: 3

Need help with a connection in CLT. Planning to fly Belize City BZE - CLT - Montreal YUL . Connection time in CLT is 1h25. Is this realistic?

Mar 28, 2018, 1:23 pm

#658

OTD

Join Date: Sep 2016

Location: PBI/MIA

Programs: AAdvantage Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Skymiles, Mileage Plus

Posts: 397

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pralina

Need help with a connection in CLT. Planning to fly Belize City BZE - CLT - Montreal YUL . Connection time in CLT is 1h25. Is this realistic?

That's cutting it close to clear customs anywhere, I would think. But if there's a hub airport where it might work, it's CLT.

Pralina likes this.

Mar 29, 2018, 7:31 pm

#659

cltwheel

Join Date: Jul 2015

Posts: 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyerWx

I hadn't heard about this, but, ewww...

The new plan has the airport looking like a spider (8+ legs and all that). Imagine walking nearly 1 mile to make an E to A connection

MIA Concourse D is ~0.9 miles but at least there's the SkyTrain

Unless you are connecting from American Airlines to Delta, United, Southwest etc. you won't ever make that connection. The new A North Concourse is being designed as an OAL Terminal for all airlines OTHER THAN American Airlines. 99% of the people connecting in Charlotte are from one American flight to another American flight. Right now from the end of B to the end of E is about a 15 minute walk. I agree it is not the most efficient design but it is cheap, which is why American Airlines retains a hub here.

In the next 9 months American Airlines will gain about 5 new mainline gates on the old A Concourse and in a little over a year they will gain 10 more gates on E (New Construction). 15 Gate expansion is the largest of any of the American hubs for the next few years.

Apr 6, 2018, 5:21 pm

#660

PHL

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: PHL, NYC

Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA

Posts: 10,072

The piano in the B-C connector is still there but covered. In the past it was open, and I thought a "public piano" for those who are talented enough to tickle the ivories. Is that still the case? I didn't notice a sign on it, but I also haven't seen/heard anyone playing it in my recent transits through.