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 25, 2022, 9:49 am
#1051
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Gold Elite, Lowly kettle across every other loyalty program.
Posts: 778
Thanks,
Derek
Apr 10, 2022, 11:25 am
#1052
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,094
Who runs the chapel in CLT?
For the chapel that’s above the food court in the Charlotte airport: who runs it? Does the airport give it to a religious organization for free or does someone pay for the space?
I had a layover there this morning and would have gladly gone to a service, but it started 15 minutes before my flight was boarding, so I figured it would be rude to leave midway through.
I also noticed that the services are Catholic. That’s fine, but it just made me curious about how the chapel is staffed, and who pays for the cost (does the local Catholic diocese handle it)!
I had a layover there this morning and would have gladly gone to a service, but it started 15 minutes before my flight was boarding, so I figured it would be rude to leave midway through.
I also noticed that the services are Catholic. That’s fine, but it just made me curious about how the chapel is staffed, and who pays for the cost (does the local Catholic diocese handle it)!
Apr 10, 2022, 8:51 pm
#1053
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: Pre✓, Delta DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Mariott Plat, PC Gold, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,655
For the chapel that’s above the food court in the Charlotte airport: who runs it? Does the airport give it to a religious organization for free or does someone pay for the space?
I had a layover there this morning and would have gladly gone to a service, but it started 15 minutes before my flight was boarding, so I figured it would be rude to leave midway through.
I also noticed that the services are Catholic. That’s fine, but it just made me curious about how the chapel is staffed, and who pays for the cost (does the local Catholic diocese handle it)!
I had a layover there this morning and would have gladly gone to a service, but it started 15 minutes before my flight was boarding, so I figured it would be rude to leave midway through.
I also noticed that the services are Catholic. That’s fine, but it just made me curious about how the chapel is staffed, and who pays for the cost (does the local Catholic diocese handle it)!
The Charlotte airport chapel and Chaplancy isn’t exclusively Catholic. See the link above for details. There is an inter-faith non-denominational worship service at 9:30 on Sundays between the Catholic services.
They have a variety of partners and donors.
https://cltairportchapel.org/about-u...rs-and-donors/
Last edited by KenTarmac; Apr 10, 2022 at 8:59 pm
Apr 25, 2022, 1:16 pm
#1054
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,488
https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/am...JECCYGZ5Z4CO4/
Is anyone passing through CLT today who can share if they are seeing anything?
CHARLOTTE — American Airlines is celebrating four decades at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Monday with a presentation including a fashion show with uniforms throughout the years and displays of airline memorabilia.
The American Airlines hub opened its doors at the airport on April 25, 1982, for Community Day. That day, more than 50,000 guests showed up to tour the new terminal building.
American Airlines’ Charlotte hub has since grown to become the second largest across its global network.
The American Airlines hub opened its doors at the airport on April 25, 1982, for Community Day. That day, more than 50,000 guests showed up to tour the new terminal building.
American Airlines’ Charlotte hub has since grown to become the second largest across its global network.
Apr 25, 2022, 2:03 pm
#1055
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/am...JECCYGZ5Z4CO4/
Is anyone passing through CLT today who can share if they are seeing anything?
Is anyone passing through CLT today who can share if they are seeing anything?
Apr 28, 2022, 9:53 am
#1057
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
No experience with international, but I wouldn't want it that tight even for domestic since things can get delayed quite easily when there's weather issues anywhere since problem cascade.
Apr 28, 2022, 9:57 am
#1058
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
For flights that are not until next year I really wouldn't worry about connection times at all as there will be multiple schedule changes between now and then.
Apr 29, 2022, 11:25 pm
#1061
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Gold Elite, Lowly kettle across every other loyalty program.
Posts: 778
Apr 30, 2022, 5:06 pm
#1062
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,094
Why do flights for the E concourse land at the opposite side of the airport?
I regularly fly between GSP and CLT. The pilot today said that the flight was 14 minutes (not true; it’s 25-30 minutes). But most of the trip time is on the ground anyway.
Flights from GSP usually land at the opposite side of the airport: on the A terminal side and, to make it worse, on a runway far away from the airport. So the plane has to drive from the distant runway all the way to near the A terminal, and then it has to drive all around the airport to the E terminal.
If AA flights will land at the distant runway near the A terminal, why doesn’t AA get some gates there? (I’ve taken an AA flight from the A concourse.). 15-20 minutes per flight, driving around the airport, is inefficient.
I’ve been reading about the bus between PHL and ABE and ACY. If AA could start a bus in downtown Greenville, stopping in the Greenville suburbs, and then driving to CLT and letting people off on the post-security side of the airport, it would be faster than flying. There’s also a Norfolk Southern/Amtrak line that goes right by the airport: a train to the plane might also be useful.
Thanks.
Flights from GSP usually land at the opposite side of the airport: on the A terminal side and, to make it worse, on a runway far away from the airport. So the plane has to drive from the distant runway all the way to near the A terminal, and then it has to drive all around the airport to the E terminal.
If AA flights will land at the distant runway near the A terminal, why doesn’t AA get some gates there? (I’ve taken an AA flight from the A concourse.). 15-20 minutes per flight, driving around the airport, is inefficient.
I’ve been reading about the bus between PHL and ABE and ACY. If AA could start a bus in downtown Greenville, stopping in the Greenville suburbs, and then driving to CLT and letting people off on the post-security side of the airport, it would be faster than flying. There’s also a Norfolk Southern/Amtrak line that goes right by the airport: a train to the plane might also be useful.
Thanks.
Apr 30, 2022, 6:48 pm
#1063
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I’ve been reading about the bus between PHL and ABE and ACY. If AA could start a bus in downtown Greenville, stopping in the Greenville suburbs, and then driving to CLT and letting people off on the post-security side of the airport, it would be faster than flying. There’s also a Norfolk Southern/Amtrak line that goes right by the airport: a train to the plane might also be useful.
May 2, 2022, 2:17 pm
#1064
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Delta SkyMiles Silver Medallion
Posts: 38
Looking for some guidance on an upcoming itinerary LAX-CLT-TLH (5/20, if it matters). I'm usually a UA flyer, but UA does not even fly to TLH, so would appreciate insight from those more familiar with CLT than myself!
Currently, we depart LA at 6:05 a.m. and have a 38 minute connection (so above MCT, but barely), leaving CLT at 2:30 p.m. When I booked months ago, I was OK with the risk as there were two more CLT-TLH flights that day, and we are flying up front so should be quick to deplane. The schedule has since been reduced so there is only one more CLT-TLH flight that day, departing at 10:27 p.m. Today, EF shows C7/Y7 for the later flight, and we will have Centurion lounge access (space permitting) if we get stuck with a long layover; there also appear to be routings available via MIA/DFW that could get us in that same night.
I have four primary questions for CLT flyers:
First, am I right that we are about 50/50 for making the connection if things are all on time?
Second, would you expect our bags to make this connection (my bags have routinely made tighter connections on UA at IAH, but never flown through CLT)?
Third, are GAs in CLT likely to offload us from the second flight if there is even a slight delay on our inbound? Neither of us have any status on AA.
Fourth, if we do misconnect/get offloaded, is the AA app likely to show us any available routing? I am trying to assess how much access we'll have to rebooking without standing in line or waiting on hold for hours.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can share!
Currently, we depart LA at 6:05 a.m. and have a 38 minute connection (so above MCT, but barely), leaving CLT at 2:30 p.m. When I booked months ago, I was OK with the risk as there were two more CLT-TLH flights that day, and we are flying up front so should be quick to deplane. The schedule has since been reduced so there is only one more CLT-TLH flight that day, departing at 10:27 p.m. Today, EF shows C7/Y7 for the later flight, and we will have Centurion lounge access (space permitting) if we get stuck with a long layover; there also appear to be routings available via MIA/DFW that could get us in that same night.
I have four primary questions for CLT flyers:
First, am I right that we are about 50/50 for making the connection if things are all on time?
Second, would you expect our bags to make this connection (my bags have routinely made tighter connections on UA at IAH, but never flown through CLT)?
Third, are GAs in CLT likely to offload us from the second flight if there is even a slight delay on our inbound? Neither of us have any status on AA.
Fourth, if we do misconnect/get offloaded, is the AA app likely to show us any available routing? I am trying to assess how much access we'll have to rebooking without standing in line or waiting on hold for hours.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can share!
May 2, 2022, 2:33 pm
#1065
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 949
Looking for some guidance on an upcoming itinerary LAX-CLT-TLH (5/20, if it matters). I'm usually a UA flyer, but UA does not even fly to TLH, so would appreciate insight from those more familiar with CLT than myself!
Currently, we depart LA at 6:05 a.m. and have a 38 minute connection (so above MCT, but barely), leaving CLT at 2:30 p.m. When I booked months ago, I was OK with the risk as there were two more CLT-TLH flights that day, and we are flying up front so should be quick to deplane. The schedule has since been reduced so there is only one more CLT-TLH flight that day, departing at 10:27 p.m. Today, EF shows C7/Y7 for the later flight, and we will have Centurion lounge access (space permitting) if we get stuck with a long layover; there also appear to be routings available via MIA/DFW that could get us in that same night.
I have four primary questions for CLT flyers:
First, am I right that we are about 50/50 for making the connection if things are all on time?
Second, would you expect our bags to make this connection (my bags have routinely made tighter connections on UA at IAH, but never flown through CLT)?
Third, are GAs in CLT likely to offload us from the second flight if there is even a slight delay on our inbound? Neither of us have any status on AA.
Fourth, if we do misconnect/get offloaded, is the AA app likely to show us any available routing? I am trying to assess how much access we'll have to rebooking without standing in line or waiting on hold for hours.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can share!
Currently, we depart LA at 6:05 a.m. and have a 38 minute connection (so above MCT, but barely), leaving CLT at 2:30 p.m. When I booked months ago, I was OK with the risk as there were two more CLT-TLH flights that day, and we are flying up front so should be quick to deplane. The schedule has since been reduced so there is only one more CLT-TLH flight that day, departing at 10:27 p.m. Today, EF shows C7/Y7 for the later flight, and we will have Centurion lounge access (space permitting) if we get stuck with a long layover; there also appear to be routings available via MIA/DFW that could get us in that same night.
I have four primary questions for CLT flyers:
First, am I right that we are about 50/50 for making the connection if things are all on time?
Second, would you expect our bags to make this connection (my bags have routinely made tighter connections on UA at IAH, but never flown through CLT)?
Third, are GAs in CLT likely to offload us from the second flight if there is even a slight delay on our inbound? Neither of us have any status on AA.
Fourth, if we do misconnect/get offloaded, is the AA app likely to show us any available routing? I am trying to assess how much access we'll have to rebooking without standing in line or waiting on hold for hours.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can share!
My suggestion is to call as ask to be routed through MIA or DFW because of the barely legal connection.