With a major renovation and record passenger volumes, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is bracing for massive disruptions this July. Ranking seventh in the world for takeoffs and landings as of 2023, the airport is on the verge of entering a crucial phase of its Terminal Lobby Expansion project. That requires some temporary changes, which will impact travel for thousands every day.
Between July 9 and July 21, counters east of Checkpoint C will be relocated to the curbside outside at the Departures level, Door 2. American Airlines is set to be most affected by this proposal, seeing as it is CLT’s primary carrier and operates a shocking 90 percent of CLT’s passenger traffic. This is happening during the worst possible timing—right in the middle of the busiest season this airport has ever seen.
As far as growth rate goes, CLT is on fire. In 2023, it served a record 53.4 million passengers. More recently, from Memorial Day through July 4th, passenger traffic surged 14% over the same period last year. For the Fourth of July holiday week alone, from the 2nd through the 7th, that number was around 925,000 passengers through its facilities.
Both airports are taking the following steps to accommodate these changes and cope with high volumes:
- Revised Arrival Times: Passenger arrival times have been adjusted. Domestic passengers should now plan to arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before their flight. International passengers should plan to arrive 3.5 hours before their scheduled departure time. In both cases, this reflects a half-hour earlier than before.
- Alternative Check-in Options: Passengers without checked bags can still use online check-in at American Airlines’ to avoid congestion at the relocated counters.
- Temporary Facilities: American Airlines will provide four ticket counters and four kiosks at a new outdoor space located at Door 2. A priority check-in will also be available next to the Air Canada ticket counter.
- Improved Guidance: Better signage and more staff in the terminal will assist passengers in reaching their various locations more effectively.
According to American Airlines spokeswoman Bri Harper, the firm was doing everything it could to limit the disruption. She stated, “We remain in close coordination with our airport partners to minimize the disruption to our customers and team members.” She added that affected passengers had already been notified via email about those changes, and they would be updated again as developments materialized.
The temporary relocation is part of CLT’s ambitious Terminal Lobby Expansion project. The goal is to add 175,000 square feet of much-needed space for TSA security screenings, ticketing, baggage claim, and offices. Officials say the expansion is vital to the airport’s future, as passenger traffic is expected to increase around 13% through Labor Day over last year’s numbers.
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Timing-wise, this project could not come at a better time—as peak summer travel takes off. It further underlines the fine line airports walk between much-needed infrastructure changes and efficient operations. It also frames how pivotal CLT is becoming in the future of major American air travel.
Air travelers through Charlotte in the weeks ahead—particularly on American Airlines flights—are highly encouraged to:
- Monitor any potential disruption that could impact your travel plans.
- Allow extra time to accommodate the changes in the airport layout.
- Use online check-in whenever available, along with mobile boarding passes.
- Pack patience because long lines and much confusion are more than likely to occur.
These short-term pains are what CLT is paying for a more spacious, efficient, and passenger-friendly airport in the future. How both the airport and dominant carrier can smoothly transition through this complex development during the busiest travel season in its history.