5 things to know about Charlotte's new $8M airport overlook
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A retired U.S. military fighter jet, an F-4 Phantom II, on display at Charlotte Douglas International Airport's new airport overlook with the city skyline in the background. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
A new $8 million airport overlook opens at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on June 7.
Why it matters: The overlook offers a free way to witness the action at one of the world's busiest airports.
Stop by: The overlook is open 8am-10pm daily. It is at 5130 Airport Overlook Dr.
- North End Around Taxiway construction required the permanent closure of Marshall Drive. The closed portion of Old Dowd Road, which closed in September, reopened on Dec. 4.
- A new access bridge is at the intersection of Wilkinson Boulevard., Tuckaseegee Road and Old Dowd Road.
What to expect: Here are five features to look for at the new 600,000-square-foot space:
Playgrounds
- You’ll find two age-specific playgrounds, plus shaded areas. The playgrounds include nods to the airport with features like a mini air traffic control tower and runway.
- The restrooms with baby changing stations are currently under construction. They're expected to open later this month. Temporary restrooms are onsite.
USAir Flight 1016 memorial
- The Columbia, S.C. to Charlotte flight crashed in a Charlotte neighborhood in 1994, with 37 of the 57 people onboard dying in the crash.
Exhibits
- You can learn about the Carolinas' aviation history and the types of planes that fly in and out of CLT. There is also a retired U.S. military fighter jet, an F-4 Phantom II, on display.
- There are views of runway 18C/36C, plus a future runway.
More space for food trucks
- It's a bite with a view. The space will include 10 covered picnic tables, plus uncovered picnic tables, benches and LED lighting for pedestrian and parking areas.
- Food truck activation is expected to go live this summer.
Plenty of parking
- There will be paved parking for 145 vehicles.
Between the lines: The space is free and open to the public. You cannot rent it out for a private event.
Context: This is the airport's fifth overlook since 1937. A temporary overlook had been in place at the corner of Old Dowd Road and Airport Overlook Drive. Its predecessor, which opened in 1989, closed on Oct. 3, 2022, for the construction of the north end-around taxiway and future fourth parallel runway.
What we're watching: This is one of many airport projects underway. Sky bridges connecting the hourly deck to the terminal are scheduled to open this summer. Concourse A phase II expansion will open this fall, per the airport.
- Go deeper: 5 Charlotte airport projects to watch
Take a look around.
Go deeper: Definitive guide to CLT Airport — Where to eat, how to kill time and skip lines
Editor's note: This story was updated on Dec. 4, 2024.