Connecting Through Charlotte International Airport (CLT): A Practical Guide

Updated May 26, 2025 – Added information on Concourse B, American Airlines Admiral Club, and U.S. Customs

Updated February 2, 2026– Added information on Concourses A & E, American Airlines Provisions, and U.S. Customs

Note: This guide does not include information on parking, general check-in, and ground transportation as my time in CLT has solely been via connections.

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Over the past two years, I have had eight connections at CLT. Through these connections, totaling around 30 hours, I have become well acquainted with the airport, and while not perfect, CLT does rank better than many airports – domestic and international – that I have passed through. Overall, my experience at the airport has been positive, with the only two issues being the time it takes to reach the gate after landing and the fact that, even with TSA PreCheck, it still takes considerable time to go through security.

What does CLT get right, and what could it improve?

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A Guide to Navigating CLT

CLT has 5 concourses, and as it is a major hub for AA, most flights are operated by that airline. Concourse A has two sections: the first is for domestic U.S. flights operated solely by AA, and the second is for flights operated by other carriers, such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Concourses B and C are designated for domestic U.S. flights operated by American Airlines. Concourse D is the international concourse, where international flights arrive and travelers clear U.S. Customs. Many of CLT’s international flights also depart from this concourse. Finally, Concourse E is where you’ll find most of the arrivals and departures for American Eagle.

This is my assessment of the 5 concourses:

• Concourses A and D: I haven’t spent much time in these concourses, but my initial impressions were better than for B, C, and E. Concourses A and D appear to have been recently renovated and have a more modern feel, plus the gate areas have adequate seating and a decent amount of charging ports. Some gates have a workstation with outlets, which is a nice convenience.
  
  
• Concourses B and C: These concourses are among the oldest in the airport and are definitely showing their age. CLT has plans to renovate and expand B and C, which should alleviate the massive overcrowding. One of the biggest issues is that gate areas are small and lack sufficient seating, causing passengers and their luggage to spill into the hallways and making navigation very difficult. The crowding I experienced in Concourse B is among the worst I have come across at any airport, even worse than at Madrid International Airport or Miami International Airport during Christmas week.
  
  
• Concourse E: This is where I have spent the most time since all flights to and from my home airport arrive and depart here. For the most part, I haven’t been impressed with Concourse E, but a major renovation is underway to improve seating, lighting, moving walkways, wayfinding signage, and other elements that enhance the traveler experience. In December of 2025, I departed from E40, which is in a recently renovated area of Concourse E and is considerably nicer than the rest of the concourse. Here, you’ll find more seating, better lighting, and charging stations for your electronics.

For a better experience at CLT, I strongly suggest that passengers with a long connection departing from Concourse B or C should seek out a quieter, less crowded spot at or near the Atrium (the rocking chairs are a great way to relax) while waiting for their flight.

To help travelers plan their connections, these are my approximate walking times based on three of my connections:

• Concourse E to Concourse C (Gate C6) – Approximately 15 minutes
• Concourse E (Gate E37) to Concourse B (Gate B3) – Approximately 25 minutes (Thursday 5:00 PM, very crowded walkways)
• Concourse B (Gate B12) to Concourse E (Gate E32) – Approximately 15 minutes

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Passenger Experience at CLT

Dining and Shopping at CLT

Dining and shopping are plentiful at CLT, with the Atrium housing the largest concentration of eateries and stores. The Atrium is centrally located and connects to all five concourses, making it highly accessible. Restaurants here offer both counter-service and table service, and given its location, the Atrium can get crowded during mealtimes, with more popular eateries having long lines.

Between Concourses D and E is another foodcourt-style area with a handful of eateries and stores, known as the Plaza. Aside from the Atrium and the Plaza, each concourse has a few eateries and grab-and-go markets. A unique dining and drinking option at CLT is the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB), which offers travelers German-inspired food and drinks in a traditional beer garden setting.

Travelers interested in shopping to pass the time will find a stretch of stores, including Pandora, MAC, Brighton, and Tumi, near the D/E Connector. Here, children and those young at heart would also discover the LEGO Store.

Resting at CLT

There are no airport hotels at CLT, but Minute Suites offers passengers with overnight or long connections the opportunity to get some rest. The rooms are basic, featuring a daybed with a trundle, a white noise machine, a desk, a TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and, via reservations, showers. At CLT, Minute Suites has two locations: the first in the Atrium and the other in the D/E Connector. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended due to limited availability.

The Minute Suites can be considered pricey (I paid around $117 for 2 hours), but they are definitely a worthwhile investment, especially when you need a place to rest after 22 hours of travel, and your connection is 7 hours. The Minute Suites I selected was the one near the Concourse D/E Connector, and despite the area being busy, the room was quiet, and I was able to take a restful nap.

These rooms are also a great option for families traveling with younger children who need a quieter, darker place to nap.

For more information on Minute Suites or to reserve a room, visit their website.

Another place to rest and find peace is the CLT prayer room. This room welcomes travelers of all faiths and offers prayer books and rugs, and holds weekly services.

American Airlines Admirals Club & Provisions

CLT currently has two American Airlines Admirals Clubs and a new lounge concept called Provisions (CLT is the test airport). The first Admirals Club is at the intersection of Concourses C and D, while the other is in Concourse B. These are standard lounges with buffets, bars, workstations, and airline representatives available to assist with travel questions and concerns. Provisions is styled as a grab-and-go market and is the perfect option for travelers with a short connection. It is located at the entrance of Concourse A.

Last year, I visited one of the Admirals Clubs and also checked out Provisions. Honestly, the best part of the lounge was the comfort, especially during a 5-hour connection. There was a good selection of food items, including a few vegetarian and gluten-free options. The lounge was mostly empty when I arrived in the morning, but by afternoon, it was crowded, with few seats available.

Provisions mainly offers a selection of sandwiches, salads, yogurts, snacks (chips, cookies, nut mixes), and beverages. It has limited seating, and unlike the lounges, there are no restrooms.

CLT also has the following lounges: American Express Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, Provisions by Admiral Club, and a USO Lounge.

U.S. Customs for International Flights

International travelers generally arrive at Concourse D, where they go through passport control, collect their luggage, and recheck it. I have passed through passport control at CLT three times, and each time the process has been efficient and quick. In December of 2025, I waited in line for about 10 minutes.

Travelers without Global Entry can use the U.S. Customs Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app as an alternative. It is free and allows you to fill out declaration forms upon arrival.

As you wait for your luggage at baggage claim, you may notice several working dogs going around and sniffing bags. This is the “Beagle Brigade”, dogs that work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are trained to detect plant and fresh fruit and vegetable products.

To avoid getting sniffed out by the beagles, read the U.S. Customs page on Prohibited and Restricted items.

After clearing U.S. Customs, connecting passengers need to go through security before heading to their departure gate. CLT has 3 standard TSA security checkpoints and one for TSA PreCheck. During peak travel times, the lines at the checkpoints can get quite long, and the process is not very efficient. The three times I have gone through security at CLT, I have waited between 20 and 30 minutes, even with TSA PreCheck.

I strongly recommend that passengers book a flight with a connection of at least 90 minutes to allow for time to clear customs and security.

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Resources

Visit CLT online for more information.