Skip to content

All airports

Airportist Score

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

Guide

Alternatives

Nearby airports

HonestAirport

Directory Compare TSA tips Terms Privacy

Airportist Scores and guides are editorial content. Always verify live rules, terminals, and operational alerts with official airport and airline sources.

All airports

CLTKCLT

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte, US

Airportist Score

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

CLTGuide

Alternatives

Nearby airports

CLTKCLTNormal

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte, United States · North America

Solid AA hub with efficient security app and decent lounges but limited public transport options and standard food variety.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.8
Comfort & amenities7.2
Food & retail6.9
Ground access6.5
Reliability7.8
Lounges7.1

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare CLT with another airport

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

CLTGuide

Alternatives

Nearby airports

All airports Official site

CLTKCLTNormal

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte, United States · North America

Solid AA hub with efficient security app and decent lounges but limited public transport options and standard food variety.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Solid

Ease of use7.8
Comfort & amenities7.2
Food & retail6.9
Ground access6.5
Reliability7.8
Lounges7.1

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare CLT with another airport

Typical security
12 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
15-25 min
Uber/Lyft
Cheapest to city
CATS Sprinter (Route 5)
$ · 25-40 min
Lounges
7
On time
78%
of departures
Terminals
1
terminal, 5 concourses

12 photos

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

QWGWilgrove Air Park
Charlotte
25 km
RKHRock Hill - York County Airport
Rock Hill
27 km
USAConcord Regional Airport
Concord
29 km
SRWMid-Carolina Regional Airport
Salisbury
61 km
SVHStatesville Regional Airport
Statesville
61 km
HKYHickory Regional Airport
Hickory
71 km

Compare CLT vs USA

QWGWilgrove Air Park
Charlotte
25 km
RKHRock Hill - York County Airport
Rock Hill
27 km
USAConcord Regional Airport
Concord
7.029 km
SRWMid-Carolina Regional Airport
Salisbury
61 km
SVHStatesville Regional Airport
Statesville
61 km
HKYHickory Regional Airport
Hickory
71 km

Sign in Join free

CLTGuide

CLTGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Check the CLT app before you leave

Official real-time checkpoint waits beat a fixed 2-hour rule on quiet days.

PreCheck is usually the faster lane. The Terminal Lobby Expansion finished in October 2025 added checkpoint capacity.

Terminal

Stay airside between A–E

All five concourses connect after security. No tram.

Budget 10–15 minutes to the far gates. Centurion sits on the D/E connector mezzanine.

Food

The Club is the paid independent lounge

The Club CLT in Concourse A is the live Priority Pass / LoungeKey room. Club Pass is $60.

Showers are $20 extra. Airline clubs (Admirals, Centurion, Sky Club) are not Priority Pass.

Status

Pick the club that matches the concourse

Admirals Clubs sit in B and D/E. Delta Sky Club is Concourse A mezzanine. Centurion is D/E.

Centurion has showers. The Club CLT showers are paid. Delta Sky Club CLT does not advertise showers.

Live conditions

Right now at CLT

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

American Airlines connections
Efficient PreCheck screening
Value long-term parking

Watch out for

No direct rail to city
Peak morning security variability
Limited airside dining variety

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

7.8

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.2

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

6.9

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.5

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

7.8

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

7.1

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

53.6 million (2025)

Terminals

1 terminal, 5 concourses

On-time departures

78%

Typical security

12 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for CLT.

Updated Sep 15, 2026

One terminal, five concourses (A–E) connected airside
53.6 million passengers in 2025 (574,193 operations); 65% connecting / 35% originating
American Airlines hub; no rail link to Uptown yet
CATS Sprinter airport connector: $2.50 per ride on the official Sprinter page (Zone D / CTC)
Long Term Lots 1 and 2: $14 daily max with complimentary shuttle (rates from 1 Mar 2026)
Live Priority Pass: The Club CLT, two Minute Suites, Gameway, and Be Relax — not the airline clubs

4 official sources

https://www.cltairport.com/news/press-releases/item/clt-welcomes-53-6-million-passengers-in-2025-second-busiest-year-on-record/
https://www.charlottenc.gov/CATS/Ride/Bus/CATS-Sprinter-Airport-Connector
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/charlotte-douglas-international
https://theclubairportlounges.com/lounges/clt-the-club-main-terminal

Full guide

Explore the CLT guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
3 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber/LyftCheapest: CATS Sprinter (Route 5)
View Getting There
Lounges
7 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts.
Minute Suites (Atrium)Delta Sky ClubThe Club CLT
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Stay airside when changing concourses; you do not re-clear security between A and E
9 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
6 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
CLT AppThe Club CLTLong-term Parking
View Amenities
Water
Where to refill for free, and where a bottle costs the least airside.
2 spots1 free or refill
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:05 EDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 20, 08:26 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

🌙22°C / 72°F