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Labor Day Holiday Closes Out Summer

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Passenger Experience

Summer is winding down, and many students are back in school; however, the upcoming Labor Day holiday period will still bring a significant increase in passenger traffic at the Airport and in the skies.

Over 920,000 total passengers are projected to arrive and depart from CLT during the holiday period (Sept. 2-8). The share of local passengers at CLT continues to grow and now makes up approximately 36% of originating passengers.

More than 4,400 flights are scheduled to depart over the seven-day period. The busiest travel days are predicted to be Thursday, Sept. 3; Friday, Sept. 4; and Monday, Sept. 7.

Don’t Wing It: Prepare to Fly

Here are some tips to help you have a smooth 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 during peak times and holidays.

  • 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.

  • Guests can also sign up for the Royalty Program to earn points and rewards.

Roadway Changes

  • New Express Deck Exit Lane Open: A new exit lane across from Express Deck Self Park is now open, providing a more direct route from the parking deck to Josh Birmingham Parkway, I-85 and I-485, eliminating the need to exit at Harlee Avenue.

  • Road Section Renamed: CLT has renamed the section of Little Rock Road between Interstate 85 and Wilkinson Blvd. to N. Josh Birmingham Parkway.

The change is part of the Airport's effort to create a more cohesive passenger experience by providing travelers with a single, consistently named roadway from the interstate exit to the Airport campus.

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.

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

New Concessions Arrive & Lounge Construction

  • Grounded In CLT – This handmade burger concept opened in July with a variety of burgers and other menu items, such as sandwiches, appetizers, salads, sides, soft drinks and a full-service bar. Conveniently located in the A/B Connector, Grounded In CLT is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

  • Capital One Lounge – Travelers may notice construction has begun on the new Capital One Lounge located on the mezzanine level of Concourse A near Gates 21-29. The 14,000-square-foot lounge is expected to feature expansive airfield views, locally influenced menus and dedicated workspaces. No opening date has been announced.

Shoulder Season Adventures Await

Shoulder Season encompasses the time of year that experts refer to as the “lull” or “dips” between an area’s peak season and its low season. Fall is a perfect example, sandwiched between summer and the Thanksgiving holiday. You can generally expect fewer crowds, lower airfares, and pleasant, mild weather. Don’t wait. Book your flight now.

Stay Informed

  • Connect with your airline or monitor the CLT Airport app for flight updates. Check in before you leave 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 message us 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.