Fasten your seatbelts, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is going to be very busy.
The airport announced this year’s Thanksgiving travel season will be the busiest on record. Forecasts predict 1.2 million passengers will depart CLT between Thursday, Nov. 21 and Monday, Dec. 2 — surpassing last year’s record by 7% and a 20% rise over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The busiest travel days will be:
- Friday, Nov. 22
- Wednesday, Nov. 27
- Sunday, Dec. 1
- Monday, Dec. 2
TSA anticipates record volumes with 423,000 passengers expected to pass through security checkpoints during the holiday rush with peak screening hours expected to be 5 a.m.-10 a.m. + 2-6 p.m.
Travelers are encouraged to arrive at departures two hours prior to domestic flights and three hours ahead of flying international + monitor shuttle bus wait times, social media, and TSA for updates.
The airport is taking a proactive approach for the potentially record-breaking crowds by keeping additional staff on site, clothed with bright yellow vests, to provide help or directions. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police will also oversee curbside traffic to alleviate congestion.
Plus, the airport recently opened the inner three roadways on the Departures/Ticketing level at the terminal entrance. The lanes are reserved for shuttle buses escorting passengers to and from on-site parking to speed up arrival times.
Look, we get it. Holiday travel can be hectic. If you’re flying through Charlotte Douglas this Thanksgiving with time to burn, consider browsing the airport’s full list of restaurants, bars, coffee spots, and luxury lounges to help make your trip a tad less stressful.
