Flying This Summer? Here's What's Changed At The Airport

Passenger Experience06-26-2025

You packed your swimsuit, a beach hat and a good book. Now, you need to navigate Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) on your way to your summer travel destination.

And with the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) nearing completion, there are several changes to be aware of, especially if you haven’t visited in a while. “If you only travel once every summer, it’s totally different than last summer when you came through here,” said Jerome Woodard, CLT Chief Operating Officer.

Approximately 8.1 million passengers are expected to depart from CLT during the summer travel period, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This figure is about 8% lower than 2024 levels and 2.5% higher than 2023 levels.

The Busiest Days

During the Independence Day Holiday - from Friday, July 4 through Tuesday, July 8 - CLT anticipates 925,000 passenger arrivals and departures. That’s a 2.5% decrease from the same period last year.

The busiest travel days are expected to be:

Thursday, July 3,
Sunday, July 6, and
Monday, July 7

To help ensure a smooth journey, below are recent changes at CLT this year to be aware of:

Ride Share Relocated – Here’s Where to Go

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.

“That has been a home run,” said Woodard. “We have received a lot of positive feedback. Operationally, it has been hugely impactful in reducing traffic and improving traffic flow.”

Checkpoint 2 Open, Exit Lane 4 Closure Dates

Checkpoint 2 became fully operational on March 26 and is the brand-new Primary TSA Pre-Check location. This means that Checkpoints 1, 2 and 3 are now all operational.

CLT has consolidated its five previous checkpoints into three larger ones, adding four additional screening lanes for a total of 21 lanes, which includes 11 Automated Screening Lanes (ASL). The TSA estimates that it will be able to screen 600 more passengers per hour.

Exit Lane 4 on Concourse D/E Connector remains partially closed for overnight shutdowns from June 26 to July 11 to allow for terrazzo and overhead repair work.
Signage will direct customers through the Atrium and to Exit Lane 2, located next to Chick-fil-A.

REAL ID Enforced – CLT Compliance Strong

As of May 7, REAL ID enforcement began for domestic air travel. Without one, you could face delays and enhanced screening at TSA Checkpoints.

TSA says REAL ID compliance at CLT has been robust, with 92.3% of travelers now presenting an acceptable form of ID at checkpoints. Passengers may also use a passport if they do not have a REAL ID.

Opa! New Nonstop Route to Greece

American Airlines began seasonal non-stop service to Athens, Greece (ATH) on June 5 with a gate celebration featuring dancers, food and two Greek Orthodox priests who blessed the passengers and plane.

The new Athens route will operate through September 2025 and is currently CLT’s longest, at approximately 10 hours and 20 minutes and 5,500 miles.

Read more about some of the first passengers jetting off to experience Greece Like a Local.

New CLT Restaurants & Shops

Check out some of these new concessions now open in the CLT terminal:

Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar & Grill –Concourse D
Chick-fil-A – Atrium (remodel)
Charlotte – Atrium
iStore – Concourse C
Dunkin’ – Departures/Ticketing

Coming This Summer:

Catawba Trade – Atrium
Great American Bagel – Concourse D
iStore –Concourse A (remodel)
Bojangles –Concourse B (remodel)
Starbucks – Concourse A Connector (remodel)

Also, make sure to book parking and join our CLT Royalty Program before you arrive. Check out more travel tips.