CLT Rings In the Fourth
Let the Independence Day celebrations begin! CLT is ready to welcome an estimated 1.6 million passengers from Friday, June 26, through Monday, July 6.
Of that number, approximately 570,000 local passengers will begin or end their journeys in Charlotte, representing about 35.4 percent of total passenger volume.
“That’s an important indicator of how Charlotte has grown to become the 14th largest city in America, along with the Airport,” said CLT Chief Operations Officer Jeff Perry. “In 2015, only 26% of passengers were beginning their trips here. That’s precisely why we built the Terminal Lobby Expansion: to accommodate today’s demand and prepare for tomorrow’s growth.”
Over 7,600 flights will depart from CLT during the 11-day holiday period.
TSA & CMPD Reminders
Between 40,000-44,000 passengers will pass through CLT’s three security checkpoints daily. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects its busiest days to be July 2-3 and July 5-6.
To help ensure smooth travels, eight new self-service e-Gates will be available to TSA PreCheck® passengers at Checkpoint 2.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police will have increased staffing at the terminal and at the Airport's main entrance.
Passengers are advised to start with an empty bag, and double-check their luggage to ensure they are not carrying any prohibited items that could delay travel or prevent them from flying.
“If you are traveling with a firearm, please review your airline’s firearm travel policy,” said CMPD Captain Matthew Horner. “Your firearm must be packed, unloaded and locked in a hard-sided case in your checked baggage. Never, I repeat, never pack your firearm in your carry-on bag. New signage at TSA and TSA officers will also remind you of this restriction.”
New Self-Park Option
Beginning July 1, Express Deck Preferred will transition from valet service to a traditional self-parking deck.
The name will remain the same, and reservations will still be made through online booking, and customers will have access to the shuttle service to and from the terminal.
Valet service will continue to be available on Level 1 of the Hourly Deck. The Valet parking space at CLT now features refined aesthetics and an enhanced experience.
Loyal Airport Parking Customers Enjoy Rewards
The Royal court of loyal Airport parking customers is quickly growing!
The Royalty Program launched in September 2024, and by February 2025, more than 210,000 accounts had been created.
Currently, the Royalty Program boasts 691,633 accounts.
Through the Royalty Program, loyal Airport parking customers can enjoy Royal perks and earn reward points when booking online via parkCLT.com or the CLT Airport App.
It features four tiers – blue, bronze, silver, and gold – and lets drivers earn points toward rewards when parking at any of CLT’s parking products. You’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend.
Each tier offers additional benefits – ranging from discounts and promotions to free upgrades, such as parking closer to the terminal.
Drivers start earning points once they create an account, register their vehicle, book online and park. Points are pending on a purchase until the exit time of their booking. After that, they are added to their Royalty Program account for future rewards.
Don’t Wing It: Prepare to Fly
Discover even more helpful tips below for a carefree trip:
Book Parking When You Book Your Ticket
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) has plenty of parking options—nearly 25,000 spots—but about 16,000 are online booking-only, and spots fill up quickly.
- Visit parkclt.com to guarantee your preferred parking option and secure the best rates. For convenience, download the CLT Airport app to book parking and check shuttle and security wait times.
Allow Extra Time
- CLT suggests arriving at the terminal two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. During busy travel periods, you may need to allow extra time.
- Plan to reach the parking lot thirty minutes before your desired arrival time at the terminal, as you might need to take a shuttle bus from your location.
Stay Informed
- Connect with your airline or monitor the CLT Airport app for flight updates. Check in for your flight before leaving home and save your boarding pass on your mobile phone.
- Please review the TSA website for information on what you are allowed to bring through security. You can also text “travel” to AskTSA (275-872) or send a message through Facebook Messenger, X (formerly Twitter), or Apple Messenger.
- Check the CLT Airport website and app for shuttle bus wait times and security checkpoint wait times.
Stay Social
For the latest Airport news, follow CLT on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.