Memorial Day Air Travel Expected to Be Busiest in 30 Years. Here’s How CLT Is Preparing

May 24, 2023
Several hundred thousand travelers are expected to move through Charlotte International Airport, with the number of passengers projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Memorial Day weekend is expected to be busy in Charlotte.

Several hundred thousand travelers are expected to move through Charlotte International Airport, with the number of passengers projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels.

The airport is expecting some 142,000 passengers from Thursday through Tuesday in addition to the 295,000 people who have connecting flights in Charlotte, officials announced Tuesday.

It is why Charlotte Douglas International Airport is bringing in extra staff to guide and assist travelers this weekend.

Passengers are strongly advised to book parking online and be inside the terminal at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.

“This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA started tracking holiday travel,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel said in a news release. “More Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation. This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.”

Here’s what to know if you’re flying through Charlotte.

CLT airport parking

There are more than 21,000 parking spaces at the airport and nine lots available for travelers. The Daily Decks and Express Deck Self Park require reservations, but all other parking lots are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can pre-book a parking spot on the airport website or mobile app.

Security and construction impact

Construction is still going on for the Terminal Lobby Expansion at security Checkpoint B, formerly used for security, so TSA has moved to other checkpoints. Security wait times are expected to reach up to 45 minutes so travelers are encouraged to plan ahead for long lines or sign up for TSA PreCheck, which allows you to get through the screening process faster. You can also check security wait times online or on the airport app.

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