Etiad Airways described Charlotte as thriving center for finance, technology, and culture. | Photo by CLTtoday
From the Queen City to the Middle East. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) recently announced Etihad Airways will launch four weekly, nonstop flights to Abu Dhabi (AUH) — the capital city of the United Arab Emirates — starting May 4, 2026.
“Abu Dhabi is a vibrant hub for business, culture, and tourism in the United Arab Emirates, and will expand Charlotte’s global reach and connectivity to the Middle East and beyond,” said Ted Kaplan, CLT’s Chief Business and Innovation Officer.
Flights will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays on Etihad’s flagship 303-seat Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Already planning a dream vacation? Tickets for the Charlotte-Abu Dhabi route are now on sale, starting at $2,140.
Get your neck pillows and watch list ready. Flights between CLT and Abu Dhabi are estimated to last ~14 hours.
Have a flight coming up? Take a look at our guide on how to navigate Charlotte Douglas.
Kizomba Dance Class | 7-8 p.m. | Jazzercise | $19+ | Learn new moves while grooving to Afro-Caribbean beats.
Tuesday, May 20
Meck Deck Celebration | 11 a.m.-2 a.m. | Angry Ale’s | Cost of purchase | Celebrate Charlotte’s revolutionary claim to independence with meal specials, contests, and prizes.
Joey Logano’s Concert for Charity | 5:30 p.m. | Coyote Joe’s | $54+ | See country star Jordan Davis perform live for a charitable cause + meet three-time NASCAR Champion Joey Logano.
Hats in the Garden | 11 a.m,-2 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont | $250+ | Dress in your favorite hat for Daniel Stowe’s biggest annual fundraiser featuring food, drinks, a fashion show, and performances by Aerial CLT.
Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston | 6:45-8 p.m. | Great Aunt Stella Center | $30+ | You’ll wanna dance with somebody hearing the iconic’s singer’s biggest hits performed on strings.
Celebrate 20 years of food, wine, and music at euphoria in Greenville, SC. | Graphic by 6AM City
Get your taste buds ready, Charlotte. We’ve partnered with euphoria Food, Wine & Music Festival to treat one lucky winner + a guest to an epic weekend celebrating 20 years of euphoria in Greenville, SC (Thursday, Sept 18-Sunday, Sept 21).
The euphoria 20th anniversary experience — valued at $1,900 — includes:
Bo’s on NoDa, a beach-themed sports bar, is now open in NoDa. The new hangout serves frozen drinks and plays tunes from Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney with a Caribbean flare + calls itself the official Charlotte home of the Detroit Lions. Save us a seat.
Coming Soon
Two Buck Saloon is planning to open a new, fourth location in Oakhurst. The neighborhood bar serves pints of beer, cans, and bottles in a dive bar atmosphere with live music, billiards, and darts. An opening date is TBA. (What Now Charlotte)
Mansion Monday
Ready to make the Foxcroft neighborhood your next home? Explore this 6,374-sqft estate, boasting 5 beds and 5.3 baths, along with a gourmet kitchen, heated pool, retractable screened patio, and three-car garage.
Eat
Diet Atlanta, huh? Golf podcaster Todd Schuster of “No Laying Up” appears to be eating his words after recently leaving a critical impression of Charlotte’s culture and food scene. In town last week for the PGA Tournament, Schuster gave rave reviews to local restaurants Lang Van, L’Ostrica, and Supperland. (The Charlotte Observer)
Try This
Want to help shape the future of Romare Bearden? Ascent Uptown is exploring the idea of hosting recurring events at the park in Uptown. Share your thoughts by taking this community survey on what you would like to see happen.
Development
We’re moving on up. One year since the launch of The Bowl at Ballantyne, a wave of new restaurants, retail shops, and wellness-focused businesses hit the Charlotte suburb. And, keep your eyes peeled for Oro Ballantyne, the a 26-story luxury tower, set to open in October. (WCNC)
Trending
After much anticipation... TikTok food critic Keith Lee made it to Charlotte on his taste-tasting tour across the Carolinas. Lee visited Crav’n Caribbean and ordered the jerk bourbon chicken over oxtail fried rice. Overall, Lee gave his meal a 6.5 out of 10 rating.
Number
$30.8 billion — that’s how much American Airlines’ Charlotte hub generates annually for North Carolina, according to a new study by NC State University’s Institute for Transportation and Education. Another fun fact? State and local tax revenue totals a combined $1.7 billion annually. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Arts
The City of Monroe recently unveiled a new mural and public furniture in downtown’s Morgan-Windsor Alley. The mural was created by the artist team Girls Who Paint, featuring North Carolina’s state bird (the cardinal), state insect (the bee), and native flora, bringing the alley to life with color.
Shop
“We’re all in this together.” Local boutiques like Disco Honey and Girl Tribe are speaking out about financial challenges amidst economic uncertainty. They shared with WCNC’s Tradesha Woodard the ongoing obstacles they’re facing to keep their doors open. (WCNC)
Sports
Carolina Ascent FC clinched the No. 1 seed in the USL Super League after a one-to-one final against Tampa Bay FC. (Better luck next time, TBAYtoday.) With the tie, the team earned the best regular season record, plus, earned home field advantage in the USL Super League playoff on June 8.
Listen
Eyes are already focusing on key games this season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and the San Francisco 49ers. Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Fun Fact
Advertising with CLTtoday is like speaking through a microphone to 34,000+ engaged local citizens. Further, it doesn’t require a long-term contract. Head to our Self-Service Ad Portal to get your message here in as little as two days.
Outdoors
Looking for a quick escape? Jackson County, NC is just one tank of gas away. Explore some of the oldest mountains in the world, soak up the vibes at free outdoor concerts, and savor fresh, delicious meals crafted by James Beard-nominated chefs. Plan your summer road trip.*
Read
Tired of the typical news cycle? Nautilus offers a refreshing alternative: deep, narrative science stories that nourish the mind and soul. Join 750,000+ curious minds and subscribe free today.*
Play
Outdoors
🌊 Take the plunge
The Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center boasts a 25-yard pool, zero-depth entrance, and water slide. | Photo via Mecklenburg Park and Recreation
Summer is almost here, so what better way to beat the heat than in the water? The Queen City is home to many outdoor swimming spots, splash pads, water parks, and lakes. Bookmark this list to stay cool as a cucumber all summer long.
Blue Waters Pool| Open daily | 6930 Faith Rd., Salisbury | $3-$12.50 | Bring your chair and watch family and friends dive into the pool or take turns on the water slides on site.
The Quarry at Carrigan Farms | Saturday, May 17-Sept. 1 | 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville | $20+ | Dive into the deep, natural quarry at Carrigan Farms before enjoying lunch at the restaurant. Pro tip: Reservations are required + no outside food or drinks are permitted.
Carolina Harbor at Carowinds | Opens Saturday, May 24 | 14523 Carowinds Blvd. | Cost included with park admission | The water park inside Carowinds features numerous water slides, two wave pools, and a lazy river.
A pack of light blocking stickers to dull light pollution in your home. The pack comes with multiple sizes that can be used to cover light emitted by digital alarm clocks, charger ports, and other electronics.
City Editor Maria and I had a blast at Quail Hollow Club this past weekend for the PGA Championship. We had a blast seeing Scottie Scheffler win the Wanamaker Trophy... and even drop it.
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