4 things to know about winter holiday travel at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
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Say hi to CLT's reindeer in the Atrium. There's one on each end and their names are Orville and Wilbur. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
The official winter holiday travel season begins Friday, Dec. 20, at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and runs through Sunday, Jan. 5.
Why it matters: CLT, one of the world's busiest airports, expects roughly 2.75 million arriving and departing passengers during that period. It's the airport's busiest year to date, reflecting rising travel trends nationwide.
By the numbers: This is a 6% jump in passenger traffic at CLT compared to the same winter holiday travel period in 2023.
State of play: The busiest days, if you're going through security at CLT, are forecast to be Dec. 20, 26 and 27, per an airport statement. Find security wait times here.
Here are four things to know if you're heading to CLT this holiday season:
Take a walk in the sky
CLT opened two new skybridges over the summer to help with traffic flow. The bridges connect passengers to the hourly/car rental deck. You can also take the underground walkways to this deck.
- Go deeper: Charlotte airport unveils new skybridges
Be mindful of pick-up and drop-off locations
The airport opened new shuttle bus lanes on the departure level last month.
- These new lanes will be open to all vehicles during peak traffic periods, per the airport and CLT's shuttle buses will pick up and drop off passengers on the arrivals (lower) level.
- Passengers may be picked up on either level, regardless of whether these lanes are open to all vehicles or not.
Go deeper: Charlotte airport adds bus shuttle lanes to departure level
Reserve parking early
The airport added a Royalty Program, meaning you'll earn rewards for booking parking on parkCLT.com or on the airport's app.
Relax in a new lounge
Delta's first Sky Club location at CLT opened just in time for the holiday travel season. Find it in the new section of Concourse A near gates A38 and A39.
Go deeper: See inside Delta's new lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
What we're watching: CLT saw 990,000 departing passengers between Nov. 21-Dec. 2, making it the airport's busiest Thanksgiving ever and a 4% increase compared to last year. It also showed the airport rebound after passengers struggled with traffic to make their way to the terminal during holiday travel in 2023.
- CLT plans to deploy more staff (look for their bright yellow vests) to help assist passengers.
What they're saying: "We knew Thanksgiving was going to be busy and we were ready," CLT Chief Operating Officer Jerome Woodard said in a statement. "Of all the improvements put into play for this year, the opening of the three inner roadway lanes at the departures level and the two pedestrian bridges significantly reduced roadway congestion during high-peak times."