Travel Smart: CLT Labor Day Tips

Labor Day is often the last hurrah for many before summer travel season ends and preparation for sweater weather begins. This holiday weekend, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is expecting more than 856,000 passengers Thursday, Aug. 28, through Tuesday, Sept. 2. That’s an 6.6% decrease compared to last year, but consistent with 2023 numbers.

Approximately 204,000 passengers will pass through TSA security checkpoints at CLT during that timeframe, which is just 2.4% below last year’s record-high, but almost 14% above 2023.

Don’t Wing It – Prepare to Fly

With the increased traffic, passengers are encouraged to follow these tips to help ensure a smooth travel experience.

• Reserve parking online in advance. Of the Airport’s 25,000 parking spots, 15,000 are available for online booking. The Royalty Program allows travelers to earn rewards with points earned by booking CLT Airport parking online at parkCLT.com or on the CLT Airport app. Download the free, all-in-one CLT Airport app at the App Store or on Google Play.

• Be inside the terminal at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.

• Plan to reach your parking space thirty minutes before your desired arrival time at the terminal.

Recent Airport Changes

If you haven’t flown out of CLT in a few months, be aware of these recent changes.

• Checkpoint 2 became fully operational on March 26 and is the brand-new Primary TSA Pre-Check location. An estimated 204,000 passengers will undergo screening at CLT’s security checkpoints this holiday weekend.

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) no longer requires travelers to remove their shoes during the standard screening process, ending a nearly two-decade-old policy at all domestic airports.

• TSA has partnered with CLT to launch a new program called “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease,” which offers expedited access for the U.S. Military at CLT’s TSA PreCheck (at Checkpoint 2). It includes front-of-the-line TSA screening. Service members must show a valid military ID. (Co-travelers can accompany them to the front of the checkpoint.)

• TSA also offers two dedicated family lanes at Checkpoint 1 for those traveling with children 12 and under, as part of its “Families on the Fly” campaign.

• REAL ID enforcement began for domestic air travel on May 7. Without one, you could face delays and enhanced screening at TSA checkpoints. If you do not have a REAL ID, check out a list of other acceptable IDs, such as a U.S. passport.

• When exiting the terminal’s secured area (areas beyond the TSA checkpoints) to enter Ticketing or Baggage Claim, passengers now have more options. Three new exit lanes have opened: Exit Lane 2 (near Chick-fil-A), Exit Lane 3 (near Jersey Mike’s) and Exit Lane 4 (located in the D/E Connector). Exit Lane 1 (west of Checkpoint 1) will open in early September.

• Uber and Lyft ride-share services have relocated from the lower-level Arrivals/Baggage Claim area to the inner lane of the upper-level Departures/Ticketing area for both drop-offs and pick-ups.

Construction Projects to Note:

To the delight of many (CLT especially), the Terminal Lobby Expansion is scheduled for completion in September. The project adds 175,000 square feet of new space and 191,000 square feet of renovated space to the terminal lobby.

Renovations are underway on Concourses D and E. Both are receiving new terrazzo flooring, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, signage, HVAC units, powered gate seating, fresh paint and updated restrooms. Concourse D upgrades will wrap up in 2026, and Concourse E will finish in early 2027.

New Concessions to Explore

While you’re at CLT, grab a bite to eat and pick up a few travel essentials. The Airport has nearly 150 concessions. Below are the latest terminal openings to shop and dine.

• The Waterman Fish Bar (Concourse C)

• Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar & Grill (Concourse D)

• Great American Bagel (Concourse D)

• Dunkin’ (Ticketing Lobby)

• Charlotte News & Gifts (Atrium)

• Catawba Trade (Atrium)

•iStore Express (Concourse C)

Provisions by Admirals Club Lounge

American Airlines recently opened Provisions by Admirals Club℠ lounge on Concourse A (next to Gate A1). According to American, the space is “tailored to meet the needs of today’s traveler, offering quick access to personalized service and fresh food and beverage options, all within an intuitive, efficient layout.”

Flights Arriving Soon

While planning upcoming trips for this year and 2026, here are a few more destinations to book.

American Airlines begins 10-day service to Albuquerque, N.M. (Oct. 3 – 13) for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The airline also will offer the following routes: Vail, Colo. (Dec. 18 – Jan. 5), Aspen, Colo. (Dec. 19 – March), Palm Springs, Calif. (Dec. 20 – April, Saturdays only) and Green Bay, Wis. (Nov. 2) for Panthers/Packers football game.

Frontier Airlines recently announced three-weekly flights to Fort Lauderdale starting Nov. 21 and twice-weekly service to Detroit launching Nov. 23.

Flights to Abu Dhabi begin next year by Etihad Airways on May 4.

Remember to check out the 189 nonstop flights that CLT currently offers as well.

Stay Connected

The latest Airport news is regularly posted on CLT’s newsroom page and social media platforms. Stay in the know. Follow the Airport on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.