Summary
- CLT ranks as 7th busiest globally for arrivals/departures, with 53.4M passengers in 2023.
- American Airlines dominates the airport, offering services to 175 destinations.
- It is considered a major connecting hub with the highest share of connecting passengers in the US.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) has grown into one of the busiest airports in the United States over recent years. In 2023, Airports Council International (ACI) ranked CLT as the seventh busiest airport worldwide for the number of arrivals and departures, according to airport data.
Notably, CLT is ninth in passenger traffic in North America. Globally, CLT’s passenger traffic ranks 22nd, with passenger counts reaching a record-breaking 53.4 million in 2023. The airport offers nonstop flights to more than 186 destinations worldwide, including 39 international locations and three US territories.
Located in the East, the airport primarily serves destinations across the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The airport also serves long-haul operations connecting Europe. However, year-round long-haul flights are limited to Munich (MUC) and Frankfurt (FRA) from Lufthansa, and there is now a three-times-daily flight to London Heathrow (LHR) from 
American Airlines
.
1
A major hub for American Airlines
The carrier has a route network, offering services to 154 destinations in October 2024
One of the primary reasons CLT is such a busy airport is its role as a central hub for the world’s largest airline. American Airlines’ presence at the airport grew to such a scale thanks to historic merges and takeovers. It began in 1979 when Piedmont Airlines opened its Charlotte hub.
Photo: ZikG | Shutterstock
Notably, American Airlines operates the majority of the airport’s flights. According to the airport’s official website, American Airlines offers a network of flights to 175 destinations. Some of these destinations are seasonal, while others operate year-round.
Meanwhile, the aviation analytics company Cirium data reveals that the airline has a route network, offering service to 154 destinations in October 2024. The most popular American Airlines routes from CLT in October 2024 include:
- CLT to Orlando (MCO): 82 weekly flights
- CLT to Dallas (DFW): 76 weekly flights
- CLT to Durham (RDU): 76 weekly flights
- CLT to Miami (MIA): 70 weekly flights
- CLT to Philadelphia (PHL): 70 weekly flights
- CLT to Chicago (ORD): 69 weekly flights
- CLT to Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP): 69 weekly flights
The airport said that it had recovered faster than many other airports from the global pandemic and largely attributed this achievement to American Airlines’ focus on its Charlotte and Dallas hubs for operations during the pandemic.
2
A major connecting hub
CLT has the highest share of connecting pax in the US
According to the FAA, CLT is a major connecting hub and has the highest share of connecting passengers at any airport in the US. The airport connects many domestic passengers, and a whopping 70.5% of passengers only use the airport to connect.
Photo: EQRoy | Shutterstock
CLT’s role as a central domestic connecting hub is mainly due to American Airlines’ significant presence at the airport. The airline operates numerous connecting flights through CLT, linking the East Coast with its main hub at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and various international destinations. This extensive network makes CLT a crucial link in American Airlines’ operations across the US.
3
Diverse airline presence
15 airlines operate from CLT airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
is not just a connecting hub for American Airlines. It is also home to significant legacy carriers, regional airlines, and international carriers.
Photo: JW_PNW | Shutterstock
The list of airlines includes:
- Air Canada
- American Airlines
- Contour Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Frontier Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Lufthansa
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Swift Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
- Vacation Express
- Viva Aerobus
- Volaris
It is worth noting that Swift Air, Sun Country, Vacation Express, and Viva Aerobus offer charter and seasonal services. This variety of operators allows for numerous routes and options for travelers, contributing to the airport’s overall busyness.
4
Convenient location
The airport is within a few hours’ flight of several key metropolitan areas
The airport’s location in the southeastern United States makes it an ideal connecting point between the East Coast and various destinations in the West, as well as international locations.
Photo: Great Circle Mapper
CLT is within a few hours’ flight of several key metropolitan areas, including Washington DC (IAD), Orlando (MCO), and Miami (MIA). Charlotte itself is a rapidly growing economic center, particularly in finance, technology, and manufacturing, attracting business travelers from across the US.
5
Gradual infrastructure growth
Construction of a new fourth runway is underway
Due to increasing passenger traffic and aircraft movements, the current infrastructure can no longer adequately support the airport’s operations, making it excessively busy. However, over the years, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has been receiving significant investments as part of Destination CLT, a $2.5-billion to $3.1-billion capital investment to accommodate passenger growth through 2035. Destination CLT projects include:
- Concourse A expansion
- Terminal Lobby expansion
- Concourse E expansion
- Concourse B expansion
- Concourse A expansion
- South Ramp expansion
- Terminal renovations
- East Terminal expansion – The Plaza
In recent news, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has committed $290 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to CLT airport to support the development of its new fourth parallel runway.
Photo: Charlotte Douglas International Airport
The additional runway will not only increase the airport’s capacity but also help reduce delays, which have been an issue recently. Constructing the fourth runway decreases the chance of delays at the airport, which could create system-wide impacts for travelers.
CLT expects construction to be completed by fall 2027. Commenting on the news, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E., said:
“The FAA and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to ensuring the safest and most stress-free experience for travelers possible. This fourth runway delivers on both – not only for travelers in and out of Charlotte, but for those flying from the nearly 200 cities with routes to CLT.”