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

May 5, 2024, 11:41 pm

#1441

FlyingHoustonian

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between

Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG

Posts: 3,558

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamirD

Yep, I second this. I've had to do it and as long as everything goes well, you'll be fine. I would hustle anyways though.

Just to update, made Friday's flights without issue inbound was delayed a few minutes waiting on getting into the gate, but we made it with plenty of time thankfully. I appreciate the advice from the AAexperts.

JJeffrey likes this.

May 6, 2024, 9:35 am

#1442

Ignutzz

Join Date: Mar 2017

Posts: 33

Flying PHL to Caribbean over Xmas holidays. Will have an overnight in CLT before our connection the next morning. Looking for serviceable airport hotel, with a priority on getting kids into bed as quickly as possible after landing. It will only be to sleep so no need for comparison of niceness of hotel or breakfast etc. Given shuttle schedule, traffic/construction, etc., can anyone give a recommendation for which hotel we should choose? Where are we likely to get kids to sleep the quickest? Slight preference for a Hilton or Marriott so we can use points, but honestly ease and speed are the priorities. Thank you!

May 6, 2024, 9:48 am

#1443

EDnearJQF

Join Date: Dec 2004

Location: CLT - daily decks

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 192

@Ignutzz,

CLT-area resident here, so I don't stay near the airport, but there is a Courtyard quite close. Like many airport areas it's a bit rough, but not - I think - overtly dangerous. They've got a shuttle to the terminal. Most bad reviews are about cars being towed or broken in to.

May 6, 2024, 9:58 am

#1444

aisleorwindow

Used to be 'g_leyser'

Join Date: Jul 2002

Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)

Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum

Posts: 10,044

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignutzz

We stayed at the Charlotte Airport Hilton.
Standard Hilton offering - very reasonable.
Free shuttle service. Otherwise, a <10 min Lyft/Uber ride.

May 6, 2024, 10:42 am

#1445

taxatty56

Join Date: Feb 2015

Programs: AA EXP, Hertz Gold Plus, Hilton Diamond

Posts: 341

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignutzz

Consider the DoubleTree Charlotte Airport, which is around 10 minutes from CLT and has a shuttle--it's not luxurious, but we've stayed there a few times and it was decent enough.

May 15, 2024, 7:53 am

#1446

WheelsUpGal

Join Date: Jul 2016

Programs: United, Southwest

Posts: 586

I don't normally fly American but considering it in the Fall. I have a 30 MINUTE connection at CLT. Really? The flight afterwards on the same route also just has a 30 minute connection. Seems tight to me but I don't think I have ever been through CLT. Since this is what the airline has scheduled, I assume they mean it? Thanks much!

May 15, 2024, 8:42 am

#1447

KBMIFlyer

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: BMI

Programs: AA EXP, Delta, Amtrak, Hertz PC

Posts: 663

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheelsUpGal

For some reason AA offers frequent 30 minute connections in CLT, and I always avoid them. There are 8 (or more?) flight banks at CLT so there is usually an option to get a longer 90 minute or so connection on the more frequently flown routes.

AA schedules include a lot of padding, so there is a good chance you will arrive early. On the flip side, taxi times at CLT can be very long so an early landing can end up being a late gate arrival. AA requires you to be at the gate for boarding 15 minutes before departure, so a 30 minute connection is really a 15 minute connection. I wouldn't do it. The shortest connection I personally will book at CLT is around 50 minutes.

abk and BWISkyGuy like this.

May 15, 2024, 9:09 am

#1448

LovePrunes

Join Date: Jul 2011

Posts: 2,345

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheelsUpGal

like others have posted, it's always nice to have more like an hour but not at all unusual to have successful 30-35 min connections at CLT. If you are in the back of the plane arriving to CLT you'll be more stressed trying to get off and get moving, but I agree with others that they USUALLY pad their schedule and tons of people make their connections just fine. Prepare a little by having an idea of how many other flights to your destination leave after your scheduled one in case you miss it, so you can use the AA app quickly to rebook if needed. I've made connections there plenty of times that short, but I know others who walked slowly and used the bathroom along the way and didn't hurry, who missed.

May 15, 2024, 10:36 am

#1449

WheelsUpGal

Join Date: Jul 2016

Programs: United, Southwest

Posts: 586

Appreciate the replies! There IS a flight further down the option list with a 2.5 hour connection . . . but I guess less stress, so I took it . . Reviews for CLT are, um, dismal? MUST be a decent place for dinner? Any suggestions? And thanks for the heads up to look for a longer connection. Even if I made the 30 minute connection, I would worry about my bag and having to deal with that after a relaxing cruise. THANKS AGAIN!

May 15, 2024, 10:49 am

#1450

Blumie

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2003

Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH

Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD

Posts: 17,273

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheelsUpGal

Please don’t worry about those negative reviews about CLT, especially with a 2-1/2 hour connection. Yes, the terminals are likely to be crowded. Yes many people will be walking too slowly or standing in your way. But you’ll find an acceptable place to eat, you’ll make your connection, and your checked luggage will accompany you. (You can follow it on the AA app if you have it.)

bse118 likes this.

May 15, 2024, 11:20 am

#1451

LovePrunes

Join Date: Jul 2011

Posts: 2,345

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheelsUpGal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blumie

and don't be shocked if your checked luggage makes the 30 min connection and is waiting for you to arrive at your final destination, even though you booked the longer connection...Happens more than you know!

May 15, 2024, 2:48 pm

#1452

WheelsUpGal

Join Date: Jul 2016

Programs: United, Southwest

Posts: 586

Thank you . . .! I usually have a lot of faith in the airlines and Travel Karma . . . but it's getting a bit harder these days to pull it up sometimes. And on American's own page it lists the on time percentages which were, on my flights, 60% - ish. Luckily it's my return flights so I won't miss a cruise ship bound for the Arctic or the last seasonal run of the Orient Express . . . but still. Yes, I WILL have a decent meal at CLT and leave a positive review on TripAdvisor. Understandably, it's the people who had a bad experience who leave the scathing reviews. Thanks again for the help and hand holding. Had a bad experience with American Airlines way back in 1983 . . . and haven't flown them since! Never say never!!

May 15, 2024, 7:40 pm

#1453

taxatty56

Join Date: Feb 2015

Programs: AA EXP, Hertz Gold Plus, Hilton Diamond

Posts: 341

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheelsUpGal

Try either Brookwood Farms BBQ in the center CLT atrium food court (cafeteria style) or Phillips Famous Seafood in C (table service). Neither are gourmet but are decent and reasonably priced.

KBMIFlyer and BWISkyGuy like this.