Charlotte-Douglas Airport (CLT) Expansion

[tozmervo]

Do... do people still use ticket counters for anything but dropping off bags?

[BarrenLucidity]

On 12/13/2021 at 9:10 AM, kayman said:

Agreed, CLT is too big of an airport or the Greater Charlotte metropolitan region to rely upon ATL or DFW as a connection to Asia.

ANA flies direct to IAD from HND. I know VA is iffy on Southeast status but it's an easy hop with United. 

Would love direct HND flights but I'm not sure we really have the O&D to support a 787 rotation through CLT. We might eventually swing a Qatar flight to get to India. They have already done cargo flights to CLT.

[elrodvt]

3 hours ago, BarrenLucidity said:

ANA flies direct to IAD from HND. I know VA is iffy on Southeast status but it's an easy hop with United. 

Would love direct HND flights but I'm not sure we really have the O&D to support a 787 rotation through CLT. We might eventually swing a Qatar flight to get to India. They have already done cargo flights to CLT.

I love that there are more flights to Haneda. If you're not connecting that's so much nicer than Narita and the bus or train (to Shinjuku of course!). If your connecting within Japan I used to always shoot for Osaka (Itami). Super modern and lightly used last I went. That'd be a nice addition for a southeast airport.

[BarrenLucidity]

7 hours ago, elrodvt said:

I love that there are more flights to Haneda. If you're not connecting that's so much nicer than Narita and the bus or train (to Shinjuku of course!). If your connecting within Japan I used to always shoot for Osaka (Itami). Super modern and lightly used last I went. That'd be a nice addition for a southeast airport.

Yeah, agreed. NRT isn't bad but even with NEX it's still a hike, especially if you're going to Shinagawa. I'd shoot through Itami just to have an excuse to visit Osaka. 

[TCLT]

9 hours ago, elrodvt said:

I love that there are more flights to Haneda. If you're not connecting that's so much nicer than Narita and the bus or train (to Shinjuku of course!). If your connecting within Japan I used to always shoot for Osaka (Itami). Super modern and lightly used last I went. That'd be a nice addition for a southeast airport.

Jeez we're really pulling out the pipe dreams now. Osaka only has 2 nonstop flights to the mainland US (LAX and SFO). The southeast is never getting a nonstop flight there, let alone CLT. The only cities that are possibilities are Tokyo or Shanghai and we'll be lucky if either of those happen ever.

[carolina1792]

On 12/13/2021 at 7:21 PM, Phillydog said:

https://simpleflying.com/play-24-hour-connection-loop/amp/

CLT or RDU?  I can see RDU...   Thoughts?

Icealandair will have a direct RDU to Iceland flight starting May 12th. Just announced today. 

 

RDU to Paris flights will restart in August, 2022. 

[LKN704]

Not CLT, but Icelandair is starting 737 MAX service to RDU this coming Spring.

On 12/14/2021 at 8:15 PM, tozmervo said:

Do... do people still use ticket counters for anything but dropping off bags?

In DC, there have been times where I couldn't get in touch with an agent over the phone and I had issues with one of my reservations, so I took the Metro to DCA and got what I needed handled at the ticket counter in about 5 minutes. Granted this was a Sunday afternoon and I wasn't doing anything, but if I lived in CLT I could see myself doing the same and taking advantage of the free 60 minute parking at the hourly deck. 

Some of the more senior agents at airport ticket counters used to work at city ticket offices (remember when those were a thing?) and/or reservation centers, and are wizards when it comes to the airline's reservation systems. 

[elrodvt]

7 hours ago, TCLT said:

Jeez we're really pulling out the pipe dreams now. Osaka only has 2 nonstop flights to the mainland US (LAX and SFO). The southeast is never getting a nonstop flight there, let alone CLT. The only cities that are possibilities are Tokyo or Shanghai and we'll be lucky if either of those happen ever.

No one said CLT. You're probably right about Miami, DC and Atlanta though. One can still hope though. It's a sweet airport.

[KJHburg]

Projections on holiday air travel through CLT 

https://cltairport.mediaroom.com/Christmas_2021_Travel_Projections

I will be there tomorrow I will let you know what I think (not going anywhere though) 

[stiluvclt]

Take updated pictures!

 

[KJHburg]

Here are some from Airport Overlook today.  it was so chaotic once I got off the bus I forgot to take any photos until I got inside.

FYI 3140 troops from Fort Jackson have flown through Charlotte the last couple of days according to their commander.  They are bused up from basic training to fly home across the country.  A lot I was talking to today were heading west LAX, SFO, SLC, SDO, PHX, DFW etc.  Lots of fine men and women heading home and they were excited.  Even met 2 guys heading home on Brooklyn!  and one young man heading back home where he lives in Palo Alto and attended Stanford. 

Edited December 21, 2021 by KJHburg

[CarolinaDaydreamin]

On 12/14/2021 at 8:15 PM, tozmervo said:

Do... do people still use ticket counters for anything but dropping off bags?

Last week Doug Parker mentioned in senate subcommittee meetings that over 85% of ticket counter interactions were to drop off bags. I imagine that proportion becomes even higher as the flying population becomes more familiar with technology and less baby boomers fly. 

Edited December 21, 2021 by CarolinaDaydreamin

[InSouthPark]

12 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Here are some from Airport Overlook today.  it was so chaotic once I got off the bus I forgot to take any photos until I got inside.

FYI 3140 troops from Fort Jackson have flown through Charlotte the last couple of days according to their commander.  They are bused up from basic training to fly home across the country.  A lot I was talking to today were heading west LAX, SFO, SLC, SDO, PHX, DFW etc.  Lots of fine men and women heading home and they were excited.  Even met 2 guys heading home on Brooklyn!  and one young man heading back home where he lives in Palo Alto and attended Stanford. 

Exodus day was my FAVORITE day to travel. There is no better sight than all these "kids" in uniform and rucksack from basic training, smiling ear to ear, going home for a week.  Everyone in the airport went out of their way for these guys and girls.  Thanked them for their service.  Smiled at them, Shook their hands. Tried to buy them a beer. It's the one day in the airport that people are generally not assholes.   

[KJHburg]

If they are in uniform they not allowed to drink alcohol and can get into trouble if they are still at the CLT airport. 

[InSouthPark]

3 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

If they are in uniform they not allowed to drink alcohol and can get into trouble if they are still at the CLT airport. 

Yes I know that (many friends and family members in armed forces).  That didn't stop people from offering.

Edited December 21, 2021 by InSouthPark

[LKN704]

Flew in last night from Dulles. 

Compared to Dulles, CLT actually seemed quiet, although that could be because my flight departed in the midst of the transatlantic rush there.

I’ve taken this flight a couple of times (the second to last departure from Dulles to CLT) and I would say the flight is consistently 60-75% filled with people coming off of the Qatar flight at Dulles (tons of people had Qatar carry on tags, and Qatar boarding pass stock). My bags were one of the first ones out, but previously I have seen interesting things come off the baggage claim from this flight…bags tagged from far away places (I’ve seen Trivandrum and Kathmandu before) and Saran wrapped coolers (that were checked as luggage) likely packed with local delicacies. 
 

I didn’t realize they had begun to renovate/refurbish the bathrooms at the baggage claim level. The bathroom next to the FIS/CBP exit was renovated to a similar style as the new bathrooms in the concourses, with brand new everything. Sad that it probably hadn’t been cleaned in a while-look at the flooring. Classy.

[Miesian Corners]

6 hours ago, LKN704 said:

c. 
 

I didn’t realize they had begun to renovate/refurbish the bathrooms at the baggage claim level. The bathroom next to the FIS/CBP exit was renovated to a similar style as the new bathrooms in the concourses, with brand new everything. Sad that it probably hadn’t been cleaned in a while-look at the flooring. Classy.

Take a look at the terrazzo on Concourse C. It was poured and finished poorly. There are stains embedded into several sections throughout the length. Had I been in airport management, I would have refused to pay the contractor.

[xapostrophe]

4 hours ago, Miesian Corners said:

Take a look at the terrazzo on Concourse C. It was poured and finished poorly. There are stains embedded into several sections throughout the length. Had I been in airport management, I would have refused to pay the contractor.

In general the Reno is cheap.  Look at the paper towel and soap dispensers. It looks like they clean them with sandpaper.   They haven't finished the walls in b or c.   I think the airport panicked at the onset of the pandemic and rushed everything to completion and chose to go cheap.  And it looks like it.

[elrodvt]

Yep, expected nothing more!

[deleted account]

I have a different view of the airport renovations. CLT is successful because of its low cost to American Airlines. They need to retain that advantage since the airport is a huge asset to the city. So they are expanding and the new roads and buildings are/will be quite nice. The renovations are fine but it was never the intention to replicate some of the more grandiose airports elsewhere. It's a value proposition at CLT. B and C will look much different overall when they further expand them and the expansion of A is beautiful. The lobby will be also. This is still an airport that has all terminals fully connected and will soon also be connected via bridge and tunnel to the onsite rental car facility. It will be a very nice, convenient and low cost airport that will continue to be an economic driver for the region. All of that said, they DO need to significantly improve the quality of the janitorial work. Otherwise, they are on the right track. In my opinion, CLT metaphorically represents the overall Charlotte value proposition very well.

[elrodvt]

15 hours ago, elrodvt said:

Yep, expected nothing more!

If that reaction meant you don't get it I'll just say that value engineering seems to be rampant these days. I'm hoping the library will be an exception though. Maybe the bike bridge but it's not looking that way.

If it means you disagree give me some examples of things built recently that people are going to be in awe of a hundred years from now. The stick built apartments everywhere won't even last that long.

[deleted account]

6 hours ago, elrodvt said:

If that reaction meant you don't get it I'll just say that value engineering seems to be rampant these days. I'm hoping the library will be an exception though. Maybe the bike bridge but it's not looking that way.

If it means you disagree give me some examples of things built recently that people are going to be in awe of a hundred years from now. The stick built apartments everywhere won't even last that long.

That wasn't my reaction (I've never used that emoji) and I had no problem with your comment. I think Romare Bearden and the museums on South Tryon are pretty awesome though.

Edited December 25, 2021 by JBS
South not North, duh

[elrodvt]

23 hours ago, JBS said:

That wasn't my reaction (I've never used that emoji) and I had no problem with your comment. I think Romare Bearden and the museums on South Tryon are pretty awesome though.

Didn't mean to imply you did  @JBS. Another example of why we need to get attribution back. Or, if there's no other dialog, be an adult and back up what you emote.;-) Before anyone goes hunting I'm sure I haven't done that consistently myself!

 

[LKN704]

On 12/24/2021 at 10:50 AM, JBS said:

I have a different view of the airport renovations. CLT is successful because of its low cost to American Airlines. They need to retain that advantage since the airport is a huge asset to the city. So they are expanding and the new roads and buildings are/will be quite nice. The renovations are fine but it was never the intention to replicate some of the more grandiose airports elsewhere. It's a value proposition at CLT. B and C will look much different overall when they further expand them and the expansion of A is beautiful. The lobby will be also. This is still an airport that has all terminals fully connected and will soon also be connected via bridge and tunnel to the onsite rental car facility. It will be a very nice, convenient and low cost airport that will continue to be an economic driver for the region. All of that said, they DO need to significantly improve the quality of the janitorial work. Otherwise, they are on the right track. In my opinion, CLT metaphorically represents the overall Charlotte value proposition very well.

I don't think anyone expected some grandiose international terminal but the fact of the matter is the janitorial work of the airport has been an issue going back 20+ years, and will likely continue to be a problem. It's an embarrassment...both for the airport and the city. A connecting passenger isn't necessarily going to remember that the seats on the concourse had power outlets, but they'll likely remember that there was a urinal cake just thrown on the floor of the bathroom, etc.

The renovations are fine (it's apparent however they were done ASAP on the cheap...some areas frankly just look a mess), although I think they likely could have spent more and AA likely would not have batted an eye. CLT's CPE (cost per enplanement) is obviously going to rise over the years but as long as the city works to maintain the CPE lower than other large hub airports I don't see any issue. 

On 12/23/2021 at 3:59 PM, Miesian Corners said:

Take a look at the terrazzo on Concourse C. It was poured and finished poorly. There are stains embedded into several sections throughout the length. Had I been in airport management, I would have refused to pay the contractor.

I've noticed those stains before. I never realized they were permanently embedded into the terrazzo...I thought they were just surface stains. 

Edited December 27, 2021 by LKN704

[Rufus]

Having gotten more and more acclimated to the airport since my family moved from Raleigh to Wilmington (CLT is a major connecting airport with ILM), I can say, this airport is far busier than I've seen LGA in the last few years. It is almost exhausting to get through because you just have to slam through people. It's really quite amazing to see. Also, I had no idea that the express jet operations of American Eagle in E are among the largest, if not the largest in the world. Truly, going through E is like going through one airport and then transitioning to another airport with the rest of the airport. 

After this holiday, I can finally say I have gone through every concourse at CLT (humblebrag) and it still amazes me what this airport has accomplished.