US Airport · North Carolina

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is American Airlines' second-largest hub by departures and the largest east-coast connecting hub in the US, handling roughly 53 million passengers a year — the seventh-busiest airport in the country. Sitting just seven miles west of Uptown Charlotte, CLT operates a single terminal with five concourses (A, B, C, D, E) connected airside, with American occupying the bulk of the gates. The airport is in the middle of a multi-year terminal expansion that's added a fourth concourse extension and is rebuilding the lobby into a more open atrium space. Charlotte is one of the few major US airports with a working set of free terminal rocking chairs in the central atrium — a Carolinian touch that's become iconic.

Compare flights from CLT →

Terminals at CLT

Terminal (Single)
All carriers — American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, international
CLT operates as a single terminal split across five concourses (A, B, C, D, E) with airside connection between all. Concourses C and D are the largest, occupied primarily by American Airlines.

Getting to Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Mode Details Cost Frequency
CATS Sprinter Bus (Route 5)Express bus connects the airport to Uptown Charlotte (Charlotte Transportation Center) with limited stops. Runs every 30 minutes during peak hours, less frequently off-peak.$2.20 one wayEvery 20-30 min
Lynx Blue Line light rail (via Sprinter)Take the Sprinter to Charlotte Transportation Center, then transfer to the Lynx Blue Line which runs north-south through Uptown to UNC Charlotte. There is no direct rail link to the airport.$2.20 + $2.20 transferLight rail every 7-15 min
Taxi or rideshareDesignated rideshare pickup at the dedicated lot opposite the terminal arrivals curb. Uptown Charlotte is 12-18 minutes off-peak.$25-35 to UptownOn demand
Hotel and parking shuttlesMany off-airport hotels and parking lots run free shuttles, typically every 10-20 minutes. Pickup zones on the lower level outside baggage claim.Free with hotel/parking bookingVaries by operator

Parking at CLT

Tier Rate Shuttle Best for
Hourly Deck$3 first hour / $26 daily maxWalk to terminalShort stays under 4 hours and meet-and-greet
Daily Deck$10 daily maxFree shuttle every 5-10 minTrips of 2-7 days at a moderate price
Long Term Lot$7 daily maxFree shuttle every 10-15 minTrips of one week or longer
Off-airport lots$7-12/dayOperator shuttles 10-15 minLowest rates with valet options

Lounges at CLT

American Admirals Club (Concourse B)
📍 Concourse B, near Gate B7
Admirals Club membership, AA Citi Executive cardholders, eligible international business class
American Admirals Club (Concourse C)
📍 Concourse C, near Gate C12
Same as above
American Flagship Lounge
📍 Concourse D, near international gates
Flagship First/Business on transcon and international, Concierge Key, AA top-tier elites
The Club CLT
📍 Concourse E
Priority Pass, LoungeKey, walk-up paid entry around $50

Top destinations from CLT

Destination Country From
Los Angeles (LAX)United States$249Open route guide →
New York (JFK)United States$119Open route guide →
Miami (MIA)United States$119Open route guide →
Chicago (ORD)United States$119Open route guide →
Las Vegas (LAS)United States$169Open route guide →
Orlando (MCO)United States$79Open route guide →

Airlines at CLT

5 things you didn't know about Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Verified by the CompareFlights team

    Frequently asked about CLT

    Is Charlotte airport mostly American Airlines?

    Yes. American operates around 90% of all departures from Charlotte, making it the most American-dominated major US hub after Dallas-Fort Worth. Delta, United, and Southwest each run smaller operations from Concourse A and Concourse E. International long-haul is split between American and a handful of European carriers.

    How do I get from CLT to Uptown Charlotte?

    The CATS Sprinter Bus (Route 5) runs from the airport to the Charlotte Transportation Center every 20-30 minutes for $2.20 — the cheapest option. Taxis and rideshares cost $25-35 and take 12-18 minutes. There's no direct light rail link; you transfer to the Lynx Blue Line at the Transportation Center.

    Are there rocking chairs at Charlotte airport?

    Yes — CLT's main atrium between Concourses B and D has a row of white wooden rocking chairs that have become a signature of the airport, reflecting Carolinian porch culture. They're free to use and a popular layover photo spot.

    Which concourse should I go to for international flights?

    International departures generally use Concourse D or Concourse E at CLT depending on the carrier, with American Airlines international flights from Concourse D and partners like Lufthansa from Concourse E. International arrivals all clear customs via the Federal Inspection Services facility on the lower level.

    Nearby airports

    Piedmont Triad International (Greensboro) (GSO)
    92 mi NE
    Smaller alternative for travelers in the Triad area; under 90 min drive
    Columbia Metropolitan (SC) (CAE)
    90 mi S
    Useful for southern South Carolina; American and Delta connections
    Asheville Regional (AVL)
    130 mi W
    Western NC mountain region; expanding national network