Spring Break ‘26 Has Sprung

Spring Break travelers are on the move! CLT expects nearly 1.7 million passengers to arrive and depart during the holiday period from Thursday, April 2, to Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Close to 8,000 flights will depart CLT during that time frame. Local passenger counts continue to rise and are expected to account for 39% of all passengers.

The first Thursday, Friday, and the final Sunday of Spring Break will be the busiest travel days at the Airport. Here are the projected passenger counts:

• 159,200 - Thursday, April 2
• 159,800 - Friday, April 3
• 167,400 - Sunday, April 12

“The good thing about Spring Break versus holiday travel in the wintertime is typically people are going to warmer temperature places, so there are fewer bags, which cuts down on baggage issues,” said Assistant Terminal Operations Manager Mark Streeter.

Quicker Security Options

• TSA Precheck Touchless ID is now available at CLT Checkpoint 2 for American Airlines customers who have opted in through their AAdvantage® profile.

• Facial comparison technology enables enrolled travelers to move through the dedicated lane with ease, enjoying a smoother, more convenient airport experience.

• U.S. Military members can receive expedited access at Checkpoint 2 under the “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” program.

• Family Lanes are available at Checkpoint 1 for travelers with children ages 12 and under.

New Arrivals

Etihad Airways arrived at CLT on March 20. The Airbus A350-1000 flew from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aircraft was greeted with a water cannon salute on the airfield.

Etihad is CLT’s first new global partner since 2018 and our fourth foreign flag carrier. This new route will be CLT’s longest flight to date at nearly 15 hours and will serve as a gateway to India and Asia.

Don’t Wing It: Prepare to Fly

Remember, the Airport will be busy during Spring Break! Don’t wing it on your 2026 travels! Here are some tips to help you have a smooth trip.

New Rates, Book Parking Early!

Try to book your parking as soon as you book your flight. New parking rates took effect on March 1. View the current prices here.

Dynamic pricing applies to all reservation-enabled lots and varies with demand and the time of year. Currently, approximately 17,000 of CLT’s 25,000 parking spots are available for online pre-booking only.

Customers are encouraged to book early at parkclt.com and save more!

A reservation guarantees your preferred option is available. It’s designed to give travelers peace of mind and better rates the further out they book, while helping the Airport operate more efficiently.

Royalty Program Offers Perks

The CLT Airport Royalty Program offers Airport parking customers extra perks. It allows drivers to earn points and rewards when parking at any of CLT’s parking products. You’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend.

Enhanced Valet Parking is also available.

Create a Royalty Parking account at parkCLT.com or on the CLT Airport app.

Allow Extra Time

• CLT suggests arriving at the terminal two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. (*Due to the partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 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.

• Consider alternate routes in case of traffic congestion. Use a navigation app to avoid trouble spots.

More to Explore - New Brew on Tap

There’s a brand-new brew on tap at the Airport, serving a pilsner exclusive to CLT. “First In Flight” Beer is now available at Sugar Creek Brewing, which recently joined our lineup on Concourse A.

Whether you’re craving a bite to eat, looking for a place to shop, or just want to get your steps in and explore the terminal, you can find it all at CLT!

The CLT Airport app lets you browse options from all our retailers and concessionaires.

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.

• Be sure to follow @CLTairport on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. Download the free, all-in-one CLT Airport app at the App Store or on Google Play. Get the latest Airport news at cltairport.com/news or sign-up to receive CLT's electronic newsletters at cltairport.com/news/newsletters-sign-up.