Charlotte-Douglas Prepares For A Busy Holiday Travel Season

Justin Pryor,

CHARLOTTE, NC — With Thanksgiving week underway, officials at Charlotte Douglas International Airport want to remind travelers to plan ahead and make the necessary arrangements to ensure smooth travels this holiday season.

The TSA says they are expecting a two to four percent increase in screened travelers over the numbers from last year’s holiday season. The Airport says they will be taking extra steps to help accommodate for this increase in passengers, and ask that travelers do the same. This will include an increase in airport parking personnel, opening some concessions at 4am, extending Uber and Lyft pickup areas for arriving passengers, and earlier checkpoint, counter, and kiosk opening times.

In a release sent out Monday, CLT Douglas says they will open Security Checkpoints A & B, along with American Airlines counters and kiosks, at 3:30am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and the Monday after Thanksgiving. Checkpoint assistance agents will also be placed at the beginning of each checkpoint entrance to help passengers begin the screening process.

As for parking, officials say demand will be at it’s highest from November 21-28 and will be on a first come, first served basis. 700 spaces have been added this year, and long term parking is expected to fill up first. Drivers picking up and dropping off passengers should use the Hourly Deck, which is steps from the terminal and free for the first hour.

The Airport also offers the following helpful tips and information to aid in smooth travels.

Passengers may plan their trip to the Airport by:

  • Arriving to the Airport early.
  • Visiting parking.charlotteairport.com and view CLT’s real-time parking map.
    • Calling 704.359.5555 to hear the latest parking conditions.
  • Slowing down and adhering to the signs when approaching the terminal.
  • Paying attention to and following CLT’s dynamic roadway signs strategically located around Charlotte Douglas for information on which lots are open or full.
  • Using the Pay&Go stations when leaving the terminal for a quicker exit. Four Pay&Go stations are located in the Hourly Deck and at the Daily deck’s shuttle bus stop. Two more are located on the curbside in front of the Arrivals/Baggage area. Remember to keep your ticket with you. Upon your return trip home, place your parking ticket in a Pay&Go station and pay by credit card. A validated ticket will be returned. Drivers may then proceed to any lane in the designated lots and insert their validated ticket in the machine to exit.

Travelers should also consider other travel options for arriving at the Airport, including:

  • Carpooling
  • Catching a ride to the terminal
  • Taking a taxi, ride share or other form of transportation.
  • Riding the CATS Sprinter bus (Route 5 – Airport) or Airport Connector at Archdale and Northlake Park and Ride lots.

Holiday Travel Tips:

  • View TSA’s travel tips at tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips
  • For up-to-date parking conditions and prices, call 704.359.5555 or visit parking.charlotteairport.com.
  • Get dropped off at the Airport, carpool, ride CATS, or use one of the many taxi and ground transportation companies serving the Airport.
  • Visitors picking up family or friends are encouraged to park in the Hourly Deck. It’s within walking distance to the terminal and the first hour is free.
  • Another option is to park at the Cell Phone Lot next to Long Term 1. Just wait in your vehicle and ask your passenger to contact you when they claim their luggage, then drive to either level of the terminal to pick them up.
  • Passengers can be picked up and dropped off along the terminal’s curbside, however, vehicles cannot be left unattended. Curbside parking is not allowed and unattended vehicles may be towed. This includes all lanes on the ticketing and baggage claim levels.
  • Check with your airline for updated flight information, as well as baggage size and weight rules. Additional fees could be applicable.

Departing Passenger Tips:

  • Passengers are advised to arrive early for their flights. When traveling with young children, infants, elderly or disabled passengers, allow for even more time. TSA advises arriving at least two hours before your flight.
  • TSA security Checkpoints A and B will open at 3:30 a.m. The remaining four checkpoints will open at the regular times. TSA Precheck lines at CLT are at Checkpoints B & D.
  • Checkpoint lines may be adjusted to accommodate the anticipated crowds. Pay close attention to signage directing you to the proper lines.
  • Save time by printing boarding passes at home.
  • Obtain specific information about Charlotte Douglas International Airport by visiting cltairport.com or by calling the Airport’s automated phone information line at 704.359.4910.
  • Contact your airline for updated flight information.
  • Follow CLT’s Twitter feed (@CLTAirport) for the most up-to-date holiday travel tips, and visit parking.charlotteairport.com for real time parking information. For the latest Airport news, link to cltairport.com/news.