Airlines at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Quick Questions about Airlines at CLT ✈️

✈️ Which is the main airline at CLT? American Airlines is the dominant airline, using CLT as its second-largest hub.
🌍 Which concourse is for international flights? Concourse D handles most international flights for American Airlines, Lufthansa, and Volaris.
🛄 What is the check-in and baggage drop process like? It can vary by airline and time of day. Given the airport's busyness, especially for American Airlines, arriving well in advance is recommended. Using self-service kiosks or online check-in can speed up the process.
⏳ How much time do I need for connections? CLT is a large airport, and you walk between concourses. For connections, especially between distant concourses like A and E, or if customs is required, a minimum of 60-90 minutes is recommended, and more during peak hours.
💺 What services do airlines offer for layover passengers? This depends on the airline and fare type. Some may offer rebooking in case of significant delays or cancellations. It's best to check directly with the airline.
🛬 What is the arrival experience like at CLT? Signage for baggage claim and ground transportation is generally clear, but the airport can be very crowded, which could lead to waits at baggage claim.
♿ Do airlines offer assistance for passengers with special needs? Yes, all airlines must offer assistance, but it's crucial to request it in advance (at least 48 hours prior) directly from the airline.

Overview of Airlines and Passenger Experience at CLT

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a major connecting hub, being American Airlines' second-largest hub. This translates to a large number of flights and destinations, but also an airport that is frequently perceived as very crowded. The passenger experience with airlines varies, but a common theme is the need to plan ahead due to the volume of travelers and walking distances within the airport.

Image from YouTube

Below is a detailed perspective of the user experience extracted from passenger opinions on platforms like Yelp, Google, Reddit, and TripAdvisor.

General Experience with Airline Processes

Check-in and Baggage Drop: Passengers report that check-in counters, especially those for American Airlines, can have long lines during peak hours. Using self-service kiosks or checking in online and only using bag drop tends to be a quicker experience. However, even at bag drop, queues can form. The friendliness and efficiency of ground staff vary, with some very positive experiences and others where passengers felt a lack of staff or experienced delays. It is crucial to check each airline's baggage check-in deadlines.

Arrival Services: Upon arriving at CLT, signage to baggage claim and ground transportation options is generally adequate. Tuttavia, the volume of passengers can lead to waits at the baggage carousels, especially if multiple flights arrive simultaneously.

Layover Passengers: CLT is a large connecting hub. The main consideration for transit passengers is the time needed to move between concourses, as there are no internal trains and all movement is on foot. The management of delays or cancellations by airlines is a critical point; while some passengers have received good assistance in being rebooked, others have experienced difficulties and long waits for solutions, especially with American Airlines due to its large volume of operations.

Airline Distribution by Concourse and Contacts

Concourse A

Hosts a variety of airlines primarily for domestic flights. Check-in processes for these airlines are often smoother than in concourses dominated by American Airlines, although congestion can also occur during peak hours.

Air Canada - Phone: +1 514 393 3333
Delta Air Lines - Phone: +1 800 221 1212
Frontier Airlines - Phone: +1 801 401 9000
Southwest Airlines - Phone: +1 800 435 9792
Spirit Airlines - Phone: +1 855 728 3555
Sun Country Airlines - Phone: +1 651 905 2737
United Airlines - Phone: +1 800 864 8331
Vacation Express - Phone: +1 800 309 4717 (seasonal/charter service)
Viva Aerobus - Phone: +1 800 309 4717 (seasonal/charter service)

Concourse B - American Airlines

Exclusively dedicated to domestic flights of American Airlines. Being a central hub for AA, check-in counters and boarding gates can be very crowded. Frequent AA flyers often use the app and self-service options to expedite the process.

American Airlines Contact: Tel +1 800 433 7300

Concourse C - American Airlines

Also operated by American Airlines for domestic flights. Similar to Concourse B regarding potential congestion. Efficiency in baggage handling and boarding are crucial here due to the volume.

American Airlines Contact: Tel +1 800 433 7300

Concourse D - International Flights

Handles international flights for American Airlines, Lufthansa (Tel +1 800 645 3880), and Volaris (Tel +1 855 865 2747). Passengers should anticipate additional time for customs and immigration processes upon arrival, and for extra security checks upon departure. Lines for these processes can be long, especially during arrival or departure times of multiple international flights.

Concourse E - Regional Flights

Primarily used for regional flights by American Eagle (operated by American Airlines, Tel +1 800 433 7300). This area has been under renovation, which has sometimes caused confusion or discomfort. Passengers often report that this concourse feels more remote and services may be more limited. Delays are a frequent complaint in this area, partly due to the nature of regional operations and the capacity of smaller aircraft. Since 2023, Contour Airlines (Tel +1 888 332 6686) also operates from gates E1-E3.

* Some services provided by these airlines are seasonal or charter-based. Always verify with the airline.

Connecting Between Concourses at CLT

All concourses and gates at CLT are connected post-security, meaning once inside, you can access any area by walking. There are no internal trains or trams.

✅ User Perspective (Positive): It is not necessary to go through security again to change concourses if you are already in the boarding area.
❌ User Perspective (Challenges): Walking distances can be considerable, especially between the ends (e.g., Concourse A to E can take 15 to 30 minutes or more if crowded). This is a critical factor for tight connections. The lack of internal transportation options is a common complaint.
💡 Traveler Tip: Check the location of your arrival and departure gates as soon as possible. Use airport maps and allow extra time for walking, especially if traveling with children, elderly individuals, or if you have reduced mobility. Request mobility assistance from your airline if needed.

General Tips for Flying from/to CLT

The overall experience at CLT is that of a large and very busy airport. Planning is key.

Arrive Early: Given potential congestion at check-in, security, and walking distances, arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.
Construction and Updates: CLT is frequently undergoing expansion or renovation work. Stay informed about possible detours or changes that might affect your route within the airport.
Airline Customer Service: The quality of customer service can vary. In case of issues, being patient yet persistent is often necessary. Having your airline's app downloaded can be helpful for receiving updates and managing changes.