Charlotte Douglas International Airport Set To Debut New Terminal

Courtesy of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport

Portions of Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s Terminal Lobby Expansion’s (TLE) on the west side is ready to open, providing approximately 90,000 square feet of additional circulation space, access to the west subterranean walkway and a sneak peek of what is to come when construction is complete in 2025.

It is the first TLE phase to debut to passengers. Features include large, picturesque windows, terrazzo flooring throughout, bright blue tiles framing the entrances/exits and architectural-detailed scalloped ceilings. There’s even rocking chairs for that added CLT touch.

The Terminal Lobby Expansion is part of Destination CLT, the Airport’s $3.1 billion capital investment program that includes concourse renovations and expansion of CLT’s roadways, curb front, the airfield and terminal.

Next Wednesday, the public also will be able to use CLT’s new west end subterranean walkway, located on the Hourly Deck’s first floor. The tunnel provides a traffic-free, covered walking path from the Hourly Deck to the terminal.

Upon the TLE’s west side opening, Door 2 in the new space will be open to passengers on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level, and Doors 1 and 2 will be accessible on the Departures/Ticketing level.

When passengers enter on either the terminal’s upper or lower levels, ticket counters, security checkpoints and luggage carousels will not be immediately visible. Signage has been installed to point customers in the right direction. Airport employees will be stationed in Arrivals/Baggage Claim and Departures/Ticketing next week to assist with wayfinding as well.

Complementing the modern aesthetics of the expansion, three new artworks will greet CLT visitors.

“Meridian” — a suspended sculpture depicting spiraling movement by Danielle Roney in Ticketing’s west side — contains 569 spheres and 467 LED lights. The personal travel histories of Charlotte-area residents are represented in the dynamic movement of the artwork’s integrated lighting. A twin sculpture of “Meridian” will be installed in Ticketing’s east end in the next TLE phase.

“Carolina Moon” – rich, colorful artwork by Scott Parsons that celebrates the musical traditions of North Carolina are embedded in terrazzo flooring at the west subterranean walkway entrance.

“Restless Sky” – wall artwork by Catherine Widgery to enliven the west subterranean walkway by creating a sense of space, light and air. (Debuting in coming weeks)

Meanwhile, construction continues on the terminal lobby’s east side. Excavation and deep underground utilities are complete. Installation of foundations and walls are underway. Completion of this phase is scheduled for the end of 2023 and will include the unveiling of Queen Charlotte. Currently, the popular statue is covered for protection from surrounding construction.

Renovation of the existing Departures/Ticketing and Arrivals/Baggage Claim areas kicks off at the end of this month.

The entire lobby expansion will wrap up in 2025. Customer amenities will include modern ticket counters, eight original artworks, charging stations, three large security checkpoints and five pre-security concession spaces.

The $608 million signature Terminal Lobby Expansion will transform the Airport’s entrance with 366,000 square feet of new and renovated space, along with a 146,000-square-foot stunning canopy that will begin construction in September.

For more information, visit www.cltairport.com.