GUIDE: CLT / Charlotte Douglas Airport - MCT, Connection, etc. - FlyerTalk Forums (2024)

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:

• 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 Airport PDF Map
• Interactive CLT Terminals 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