Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is now ranked among the top 10 busiest airports in the United States. CLT has one terminal with 5 concourses and is mainly served by American Airlines (AA) and American Eagle, a regional branch of AA.
My first time flying into CLT was in May of 2024 via a connection, and since then, I have had 3 additional connections in that airport. Why do I have so many connections at CLT? My home airport is a regional airport that only offers non-stop flights to Miami, Charlotte, and Dallas via AA, my preferred carrier; thus, most of my trips have a connection at MIA or CLT.
Overall, my experience at CLT has been positive as the airport is easy to navigate, offers travelers great amenities, and has clean facilities. Also, the walking distances are not too bad compared to other international airports. My only issue with the airport is the overcrowding in Concourses B and C.
This is approximately how long it took me to cross the airport during my last three connections.
-
- Concourse E to Concourse C (Gate C6) ~ 15 minutes
- Concourse E (Gate E37) to Concourse B (Gate B3) ~ 25 minutes (Thursday 5:00 PM, very crowded walkways)
- Concourse B (Gate B12) to Concourse E (Gate E32) ~ 15 minutes
Pros and Cons of CLT
Pros
✈️ Easy to navigate, great signage
✈️ Variety of eateries and grab-n-go kiosks
✈️ Availability of Minute Suites
✈️ Clean facilities
✈️ Efficient US Customs processes
Cons
✈️ Overcrowding and limited seating in Concourses B & C
✈️ Ongoing renovations
✈️ Delays approaching the gate after landing
Let’s discuss the negative aspects of CLT first.
Concourses B and C are notorious for their overcrowding, but in my experience, B is a lot worse. I had flights out of C6 and B3, each on a late Thursday afternoon, and the gate areas and walkways were both very congested. I believe that part of the problem is that the gate waiting areas are rather small and provide limited seating, so passengers spill into the hallways while waiting for their flight. Concourse C was crowded but manageable; Concourse B, on the other hand, was a challenge trying to get to the gate and restrooms.
Concourse E, which only serves regional jets, is more spacious and has a decent amount of seating.
For two of my connections, there was a delay approaching the gate after landing. One delay was just 10 minutes, but the other was almost 25 minutes, and those 25 minutes are a lot if you have a tight connection.
I listed the renovations as a con for now because, due to the construction, CLT has removed some of the moving walkways in Concourse E. And those moving walkways are great when you are in a hurry!
Dining at CLT
At the heart of CLT is the Atrium, an area lined with eateries (counter service and table service), stores, and much more. The Atrium connects to each concourse and is a great place to grab a bite to eat. The concourses also have restaurants and grab-and-go markets, but the Atrium is not as crowded.
Between Concourses D and E is another place that has a handful of eateries with tables called the Plaza.
Resting at CLT
Minute Suites are simple rooms that offer weary passengers a quiet place to rest during long connections. CLT has Minute Suites in the Atrium and in the Concourse D/E Connector. The rooms are basic, with a daybed that converts to a bed, a white noise machine, a desk, a TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Some suites offer a shower and a private bathroom. The rooms can be booked by the hour or overnight.
During my return flight from Europe, I had a 6.5-hour connection at CLT. By the time I arrived at the airport, I had been awake for about 20 hours and felt a bit under the weather, so I decided to rent a room for 2 hours to take a much-needed nap. The 2 hours, base rate plus taxes, cost $117.98. The Minute Suites are not cheap, but they are well worth the price when you really need some sleep and peace after a long day of traveling.
Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are recommended as availability is limited.
For more information on Minute Suites or to reserve a room, visit their website.
US Customs for International Flights
My first connection at CLT was via a flight arriving from Europe, which meant I had to go through US Customs. All international flights arrive in Concourse D, and this is where passengers go through the formalities of passport control, baggage claim, and re-checking luggage. I completed the customs process in about 20 minutes as I was able to queue in an expedited service line. This line is available to those who have the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app and complete the forms on said app prior to landing.
After passing US Customs, my final step was to go through security. That afternoon, the TSA PreCheck station was not open, and the line at the regular security checkpoint was rather long. Getting through security took about 30 minutes.
I strongly suggest booking a flight with a connection of at least 2 hours if you have to pass through US customs in CLT. While the customs process is efficient, security is another story, and the TSA PreCheck stations are only open intermittently.
Visit CLT online for more information.
Leave a Comment