(CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is bracing for another heavy wave of Thanksgiving travel, with airport officials forecasting about 1.9 million passengers will arrive and depart between Thursday, November 20, and Tuesday, December 2. The holiday rush will touch almost every part of the airport, from ticket counters and security lanes to parking decks and curbside drop-off, though the overall number of travelers is expected to be roughly 10% lower than in 2024, when CLT saw record traffic.
Peak days and expected volumes
Most of the pressure will fall on the days after the holiday itself. Airport planners say Saturday, November 29, Sunday, November 30, and Monday, December 1 will be the busiest stretch, with long lines likely from early morning through late evening.
- Sunday, November 30 is expected to be the single busiest day, with more than 178,000 total travelers passing through the terminals.
- Each of the three peak days (Nov 29–Dec 1) is expected to see over 83,000 departing passengers.
This crush will include domestic flyers heading home across the 🇺🇸 United States and international passengers connecting through CLT to and from overseas, many of them on visas or ESTA travel authorizations.
Security screening and flight operations
Security screening will also see heavy pressure. Nearly 430,000 travelers are expected to pass through TSA checkpoints during the Thanksgiving travel window, a 2.5% decrease from 2024 but still a volume that can quickly create bottlenecks if flights bunch together.
- More than 9,000 aircraft departures are scheduled across the holiday period.
- American Airlines and its regional partners are operating 80,759 scheduled flights across their network, underscoring CLT’s role as a major hub for domestic and international connections.
Airport preparations and recent upgrades
Airport managers say they are using both staffing plans and recent construction changes to keep those numbers from turning into hours of waiting.
“The recent federal shutdown created challenges across the aviation system, but we do not expect significant impacts at CLT this holiday week,” Ted Kaplan, CLT’s Chief Business and Innovation Officer, said. “Our focus is on giving every traveler a safe and smooth trip.”
This Thanksgiving travel season is the first major holiday test of CLT’s $608-million Terminal Lobby Expansion Project, which wrapped up earlier this year. Key features of the project:
- 175,000 square feet of new lobby space added
- 191,000 square feet renovated
- 149,000-square-foot glass canopy
- Two new pedestrian skybridges
- Expanded security checkpoints with additional lanes
- New state-of-the-art automated exit lanes
These changes provide wider walkways, more waiting areas, clearer sightlines from check-in to security, and improved passenger flow — benefits particularly valuable to international travelers who may be less familiar with U.S. airport procedures.
Advice for international visitors and immigration-related concerns
For international visitors, including family members arriving on tourist visas and students flying in and out of the country, the holiday rush can add an extra layer of stress to passport control, customs checks, and possible secondary screening.
- Immigration lawyers warn that crowded terminals and tired travelers can lead to small mistakes at document checkpoints.
- Travelers are advised to keep passports, visas, and travel papers in an easy-to-reach folder and to allow extra time before and after flights.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, large hub airports like CLT often see more questions at the border during peak periods because officers must move quickly while still following federal rules.
Recommended arrival times and practical tips
Airport officials urge all passengers, including green card holders and other foreign nationals, to reach the terminal early:
- Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights
- Arrive three hours before international flights
This advice is especially important for travelers who may need extra time at check-in desks, such as those whose visas were recently renewed or who carry additional supporting documents for a pending immigration case. Extra time also helps when:
Arrive at least three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures to cushion potential delays from peak-period congestion and weather-related knock-ons.
- TSA checkpoints flag a bag for secondary screening
- Customs and Border Protection lines are longer than usual when international flights arrive close together
Practical tips to speed screening:
- Wear shoes that slip on and off easily
- Pack liquids according to the standard “3-1-1” rule
- Keep electronics easy to remove from bags
- Plan screening steps with a local friend or family member if English is limited
Parking and ground access
Parking is shaping up as another pressure point. CLT says it has 25,000 parking spots on the property, with around 15,000 spaces available only through online booking.
- Officials are strongly encouraging travelers to reserve spaces in advance at parkCLT.com, instead of circling lots at the last minute.
For mixed-status families—where some members are U.S. citizens and others are visiting on temporary visas—a smooth arrival and departure can reduce worries about missing flights and having to rebook, which may affect visa timelines or connecting international journeys.
Government guidance and resources
Transportation Security Administration officials urge travelers to come prepared, especially during the holiday period. Official guidance on allowed items, ID rules, and screening procedures is available on the TSA travel guidance page: https://www.tsa.gov/travel.
- Families flying with relatives new to the 🇺🇸 United States often print or save parts of that guidance to explain what will happen at TSA checkpoints.
Potential system risks and final reminders
Airport staff say they are also watching for knock-on effects from weather and congestion at other hubs. Delays elsewhere can quickly ripple into CLT, pushing more international arrivals into the same hour and straining customs and baggage areas.
Even with a forecast 10% decrease in total passenger volume compared to last year, the sheer numbers — 1.9 million passengers, nearly 430,000 through security, and more than 9,000 departures — mean that any breakdown in one part of the system can be felt across the terminal.
Key takeaways:
– Arrive early
– Book parking ahead of time at parkCLT.com
– Pack carefully for TSA checkpoints
– Expect crowds, especially Nov 29–Dec 1
For many immigrant and international families planning holiday reunions around these dates, a bit of extra planning may be the key difference between a rushed, stressful connection and a calm start or finish to their journey through one of the country’s busiest airports.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport expects about 1.9 million passengers from Nov. 20–Dec. 2, roughly 10% below 2024. Peak pressure will fall Nov. 29–Dec. 1, with Nov. 30 exceeding 178,000 travelers. Nearly 430,000 people will use TSA checkpoints and over 9,000 departures are scheduled. CLT’s $608-million Terminal Lobby Expansion adds space and security lanes to ease congestion. Officials advise arriving early, prebooking parking at parkCLT.com, and following TSA screening rules to avoid delays.
