Picture Perfect Photo Op - #CLTSkybridges
It’s become THE iconic airport “photo op spot”—a beautifully framed cityscape, created by careful design and a touch of luck!
If you're seeking a breathtaking view of the Queen City—especially at sunrise—look no further than the West and East pedestrian skybridges at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Since opening in July 2024, the two overhead walkways connecting the Hourly Deck/Rental Car Facility to the terminal lobby have become known for providing some of the best unobstructed views in town.
Taking in the View
“So far, I’ve only been here a total of three times,” said Justin Morales, whose family took a picture as they headed back to their car. “But I think it’s a beautiful skyline, especially at night and when it’s clear, it is really pretty.”
Passengers, media, professional photographers, and others often stop to take photos of aircraft and capture Instagram-worthy shots of Uptown Charlotte. One such person is frequent flier and North Carolina native Jeff Sykes.
“I’ve been in a lot of airports, and CLT’s come a long way,” said Sykes as he took a cell phone photo. “I have shown this picture right here to quite a few people. I think it’s pretty cool how the tails of the planes line up with the city.”
Countless photos tagged for CLT are routinely highlighted, like this series from @kunch24 on Instagram.
“The CLT social media inbox is filled with sky bridge photos and selfies,” said CLT Airport Social Media Manager Virginia Lane. “Travelers can’t resist snapping photos of the skyline with planes taxiing below, especially when the sun rises behind the city. In my (slightly biased) opinion, it is the best skyline view in the city.”
Framing Success, One Photo at a Time
The skybridges—each approximately 152 feet long and 18 feet wide—were designed to offer safety and functionality so customers would not have to cross an active roadway with eight lanes of traffic. However, they’ve also become a “stop and pause moment” on a journey into the busy terminal.
“With the existing orientation of the building, we were very lucky. We said, ‘let’s frame the Queen City itself,’ and what a better backdrop,” said architect Ben Goebel, the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) project executive with Gresham Smith. He is excited by how people have responded favorably to the walkways and the 146,000-square-foot glass canopy overhead. Goebel says the design draws inspiration from Charlotte's history and character, including the city’s signature summertime afternoon showers.
“We wanted to ensure we were protecting passengers and the public from the elements as they are loading and unloading the car,” said Goebel. “This is supposed to be the best first and last impression of the city and the last thing we want them to do is get on an airplane soaking wet. It allowed the natural light to come in and really gives a nice warm feeling.”
If photos tell the story, CLT has crafted something unforgettable, designed to be appreciated from every angle.
*Photo Courtesy: @kunch24 on Instagram *