Charlotte-Douglas Airport (CLT) Expansion

[architect77]

As a Raleigh-area native, I've always maintained that the Triangle and Charlotte weren't all that different in size, give or take a few hundred thousand residents... But flying into CLT from RDU this morning, we came in from the north (I recognized construction work on the Yadkin River Bridge Replacement), and there were huge swaths of residential developments everywhere, and Lake Norman was extremely developed.

All of this together with Charlotte's tall downtown has changed my opinion on Metrolina (greater Charlotte). It is without a doubt NC's most heavily populated area.

Now, I hope US Airways makes a lot of money this year, because Charlotte's airport needs a serious updating. The suspended ceiling tiles were dirty, the carpet is hideous (purple, pink, black), and I just think Charlotte deserves a better first impression.

For those of you who haven't seen Raleigh-Durham's new Terminal 2, designed by Greensboro native Curtis Fentress who graduated from NC State's School of Design (like me), here are some pictures:

[AuLukey]

I agree, it's too bad that there isn't more investment in the aesthetics of the terminals. Seems that the management is currently more concerned with increasing capacity (which seems to be working very well.) Maybe once Charlotte has permanently established itself as a hub, the need for a more pleasant appearance will become the main priority. Given its proximity to the world's busiest airport, it is still rather surprising that Charlotte is growing as a hub.

Few airports I have been in compare to the shear scale of Charles De Gaulle in Paris, Charlotte will not likely reach such heights, but it makes for a nice pipedream.

[HopHead]

I don't think anyone on here would argue that CLT's airport is in the need of an update on the interior. There are other projects in the works such as the expansion of the E concourse, new rental car facility, expanded main terminal, etc. Unfortunately there's only so much that can be done in a given time period. However one of the reasons CLT airport is such a big hub for US Airways is because it's relatively inexpensive to run.

[cltbwimob]

Supposedly Insel Air will start CLT-CURACAO service this summer.

http://www.caribarena.com/saintmartin/business/business-news/7677-inselair-announces-third-weekly-flight-.html

Read the whole article...it's in there.

[CltFlyer]

well if Insel Air indeed does come to Charlotte it will be an intresting plane to see. It would be operated by an Md-82 Aircraft ( clt-cur is a long haul for that aircraft!) and would be operated on Wed and Sat starting June 22nd. It would be a very welcome and different sight in CLT. However i will only believe this when the first flight touches the ground in CLT.

[Skyybutter]

AS a former 10 year usairways mainline FA I left the industry last october...gladly....and with NO regrets. Usairways is a mess and the management is a joke to put it lightly. Having said that the airline has helped Charlotte tremendously and has truly connected the carolinas to the world. I am sure as long as Usairways stays in business Charlotte will continue to be its main focus. Management loves Charlotte and most of its growth has been in Charlotte over the past two years at least.

Concerning the airport it will be totally different in five years. much need upgrades...but PLEASE get rid of the nasty carpet..it is as others have said just gross. And I wasnt really impressed with the bathroom renovations. it just looked cheap. Reagan in DC has the best airport bathrooms. Marble...it just makes sense....

JAX and IND have beautiful airports now....Come on Charlotte catch up

Edited April 24, 2011 by Skyybutter

[caterpillar2]

AS a former 10 year usairways mainline FA I left the industry last october...gladly....and with NO regrets. Usairways is a mess and the management is a joke to put it lightly. Having said that the airline has helped Charlotte tremendously and has truly connected the carolinas to the world. I am sure as long as Usairways stays in business Charlotte will continue to be its main focus. Management loves Charlotte and most of its growth has been in Charlotte over the past two years at least.

Concerning the airport it will be totally different in five years. much need upgrades...but PLEASE get rid of the nasty carpet..it is as others have said just gross. And I wasnt really impressed with the bathroom renovations. it just looked cheap. Reagan in DC has the best airport bathrooms. Marble...it just makes since....

JAX and IND have beautiful airports now....Come on Charlotte catch up

Like many other things, growth wasn't expected to boom like it did. Hope we can catch up. I agree that comparable airports like Orlando, Munich, and Frankfort have many more venues to enjoy while waiting for a flight. Last year, the security girl stole my wife's prescription drugs while being checked. They in here carry on luggage so there is no possibility that someone else took them. The bottles were empty. We have never experienced anything like that before. We were on our way to Spain for a month, so too much time had passed for me to take action. Besides, I don't remember the names or faces of the security guards. We came back from Europe last week and the whole security force seems to have changed to the better for some reason. At least we are a nicer airport than JFK.

Edited April 24, 2011 by caterpillar2

[tozmervo]

Anyone know if Chick-fil-A has opened at CLT yet? Or where it's going, for that matter?

(I know, random question, but a chicken biscuit would be mighty good before my 6am flight next week)

[Miesian Corners]

Anyone know if Chick-fil-A has opened at CLT yet? Or where it's going, for that matter?

(I know, random question, but a chicken biscuit would be mighty good before my 6am flight next week)

No Chik-fil-a at CLT. The newest fast food joint to open was the Wendy's on Concourse A.

[abttown]

After coming back from a business trip a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but notice the abysmal state of our baggage claim area. I remember seeing that area (especially around Zone B) sometime last year, and it pretty much looked the same at that time as well. I emailed the airport and let them know what a piece of crap baggage claim looked like and they actually responded. Take it for what it's worth. My apologies if this has already been reported on UP.

"The entire baggage claim area will soon be remodeled. This improvement project is scheduled to begin at the end of this month and includes new flooring, ceiling, walls, lighting, signage, etc. The area in Zone B has been missing ceiling tiles due to work being performed above the ceiling on the baggage conveyor that leads from the upper ticketing level (behind the ticket counters when a passenger checks their luggage) to the baggage sorting area."

Jennifer Long

Customer Relations Specialist

[Norm2]

I think it is awesome that they actually responded to you! I am glad that FINALLY something in the airport will be getting remodeled.

[kickazzz2000]

Yesterday marked the inaugural flight from Curacao on Insel Air. Why hasn't ol' Jerry had his sad pitiful airport website updated yet? I'm not even looking for a big splashy announcement (Jerry probably hasn't heard of flash or java) ; but Insel Air isn't even listed as an airline serving the airport.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/INC913/history/20110622/1403Z/TNCC/KCLT

To quote Michael Irvin on ESPN: "c'monnnn mannnnnnnnnn"

[tozmervo]

^ flash or java nothing, I had to look up Curacao

[kickazzz2000]

^ flash or java nothing, I had to look up Curacao

thats funny jerry

[Stonewall]

Does anyone know when the expansion to Concourse E will be completed?

[Skyybutter]

Does anyone know when the expansion to Concourse E will be completed?

Not sure about that, but over the next 5-8 years you won't be able to recognize the airport as it is today. MAJOR MAJOR expansion, renovations, new roads into and out of the airport. LONG overdue!

[New Name]

Not sure about that, but over the next 5-8 years you won't be able to recognize the airport as it is today. MAJOR MAJOR expansion, renovations, new roads into and out of the airport. LONG overdue!

So you mean the front WON'T look like a Russian Military surplus qwarehouse anymore?

[Skyybutter]

So you mean the front WON'T look like a Russian Military surplus qwarehouse anymore?

HAHA. no. Im sure there is a detailed report of all the new things coming. Im just too lazy to look right now. my guess would be to go to the airport website. One of the nicest things will be seeing the rental car counters moving to a new parking deck. It will weed out some of the traffic in baggage claim.

[southslider]

http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Land%20Use%20Planning/SteeleCreek/AirportFacilitiesPlan.pdf

[New Name]

http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Land%20Use%20Planning/SteeleCreek/AirportFacilitiesPlan.pdf

No renderings of an actual upfit for the front of the actual terminal, though...

[HopHead]

I was in Concourse E for the first time in ages yesterday and noticed that we now have 50 gates in that concourse. Well, at least according to signage as I only went to gate 18 so I couldn't tell for sure if they finished the expansion. I felt like it took a day and a half to move from security to my gate over there. I also noticed that they have done some significant work on the Concourse E TSA security area (I'm assuming that's what it is since there was some framing going on outside and they had large area patched up next to the Concourse D security line.

Edited July 20, 2011 by dbull75

[ScottCLT]

I was in Concourse E for the first time in ages yesterday and noticed that we now have 50 gates in that concourse. Well, at least according to signage as I only went to gate 18 so I couldn't tell for sure if they finished the expansion. I felt like it took a day and a half to move from security to my gate over there. I also noticed that they have done some significant work on the Concourse E TSA security area (I'm assuming that's what it is since there was some framing going on outside and they had large area patched up next to the Concourse D security line.

I actually saw that the other week too. It's just on the signs, though...there is no 50th gate - I walked all the way to the end of the concourse in the same direction that "50" signs were pointing and it ended at 32 I think.

[The704]

I actually saw that the other week too. It's just on the signs, though...there is no 50th gate - I walked all the way to the end of the concourse in the same direction that "50" signs were pointing and it ended at 32 I think.

Acutally, the concourse now has 38 gates. They must have been added on recently. I wonder if we will see 50 gates in the concourse by the time the expansion is complete next summer. I do not believe the gates recently added have jetways, I think they are just stands.

I cannot wait for the International Terminal/Terminal 2!

[MikeNC]

Well, this Sunday is the closing of 18C for it's long awaited rehab.....Should be interesting....

[ScottCLT]

The work in baggage claim is very obvious now - it is completely gutted! Sme of the carousels had ben taken out of commission already and the entire ceiling and all the duct work has been ripped out. Some areas are behind a plastic sheet wall. It's a complete mess down there right now, but hopefully the end result will be worth it.

Also, I noticed that EA Sports store has opened in the old toy store spot beside Bijoux Bellagio on the C concourse. And Big Daddy's Burger Bar is opening up inside the C concourse...except it's called "Bad Daddy's Burger Bar." Same logo and everything...wonder why the name change for the airport location?