(CHARLOTTE) Charlotte Douglas International Airport expects one of its busiest Labor Day travel periods, even as construction reshapes the terminal and security checkpoints. From Thursday, August 28, through Tuesday, September 2, 2025, airport officials forecast more than 856,000 total passengers, with about 204,000 moving through TSA checkpoints. That checkpoint figure is down 2.4% from last year’s record but remains nearly 14% above 2023, underscoring how Charlotte’s hub continues to draw heavy demand.
TSA says it will screen more than 17.3 million passengers and crew nationwide during the holiday window across the United States 🇺🇸. American Airlines, the airport’s largest carrier, plans to serve more than 418,000 customers at Charlotte during the six days as part of a nationwide schedule of nearly 36,000 flights carrying 3.8 million customers, up 14% from last year.
Terminal changes, checkpoints, and key dates
Travelers will encounter a terminal that looks and works differently than last summer. The $608 million Terminal Lobby Expansion is approaching its final stage, but a major change arrives right after the holiday: Checkpoint C will close on September 5, 2025, so crews can build the new Checkpoint 2.
- TSA PreCheck will shift from Checkpoint C to Checkpoint A.
- Checkpoint E is being rebranded as Checkpoint 3.
- Once construction is finished, the airport will operate three larger checkpoints with upgraded screening systems aimed at moving passengers more smoothly.
Airport leaders are asking people to build in more time and pay close attention to signs and directions from staff. They recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures, especially during morning and midafternoon peaks.
Passenger volume, airline operations, and national context
American Airlines’ footprint at Charlotte remains massive over the holiday. The carrier expects to serve more than 418,000 customers at the airport during the six-day window, reflecting both the strength of the hub and the steady return of travel since the pandemic.
Nationwide, American projects nearly 36,000 flights carrying 3.8 million customers — a 14% jump from last year’s Labor Day period. Inside the terminal, 11 of the airline’s 24 new ticket counters are now open in the center lobby between doors 2 and 3, with the rest scheduled to open by October.
TSA’s nationwide plan is also big: the agency expects to screen more than 17.3 million passengers and crew over the holiday period. That swell will be felt in Charlotte’s lines, roadways, and concourses. Officials caution that staffing, weather, and delays in other hubs can ripple into Charlotte Douglas International Airport, so travelers should watch alerts from both airlines and the airport.
What to expect inside the terminal
While travelers face detours and longer walks, the airport points to meaningful upgrades coming online:
- A larger, brighter front-of-house with more space for queuing
- Redesigned security areas built for modern screening equipment
- Updated concessions rolling out:
- Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar & Grill
- A remodeled Chick-fil-A
- iStore
- Dunkin’
- More openings slated through the fall
These improvements aim to support heavier passenger flow while areas of the lobby remain under construction.
REAL ID requirement and documentation
A key rule already in place this year is REAL ID for domestic flights. Since May 7, 2025, adults need a REAL ID driver’s license or a passport to fly within the country. Charlotte reports 92.3% compliance so far, but officers still see confused travelers at checkpoints.
For the current rules and acceptable documents, the Transportation Security Administration offers a clear guide here: TSA REAL ID.
Important: a temporary paper license without the star symbol will not be enough. If you have an older card or you’re unsure whether your license is REAL ID, bring your passport.
Travel advice and operational tips
Airport leaders recommend several practical steps to reduce stress and delays:
- Arrive early
- Two hours before domestic departures
- Three hours before international departures
- Check your checkpoint
- Checkpoint C closes September 5, 2025
- PreCheck moves to Checkpoint A
- Checkpoint E becomes Checkpoint 3
- Watch the app
- Use the CLT app or website for security, shuttle, and parking wait times
- Consider advance reservations for parking
- Bring the right ID
- REAL ID is required; a passport is an accepted alternative
- Plan for parking and pick-up
- Reserve parking ahead of time; lots and curb space can fill quickly
- Rideshare and pickup zones may back up—coordinate with drivers
- Build a buffer
- Allow extra time for longer walks, elevator waits, and shuttle delays
- Families and travelers with mobility needs should plan for detours
These simple steps are familiar but more important given construction constraints and high demand. Mobile ordering and airline apps can help passengers grab meals without risking missed boarding calls.
People, capacity, and regional impact
Charlotte’s growth story explains the scale of construction. In 2024, the airport handled 58.8 million passengers, a record year that helped make CLT the sixth busiest airport in the world. Leaders say the economic impact across the Carolinas reaches $40 billion.
That scale explains why the Terminal Lobby Expansion focuses on rethinking queuing, baggage movement, and security lanes to process waves of passengers efficiently. Airport managers say they are staffing up to keep lines moving despite construction. However, travelers should still expect:
- Full flights and crowded gate areas
- Potential ripple effects from staffing or weather issues elsewhere
- The need for backup plans if delays occur
International routes and future service
Charlotte is testing longer-range markets and expanding international reach:
- American launched a seasonal nonstop to Athens in June — the airport’s longest route at ten hours and twenty minutes.
- Etihad Airways plans to begin service to Abu Dhabi in May 2026, connecting Charlotte to another major global hub.
These additions mean more nonstop options and improved one-stop connections, but also the need for a front-of-house that handles larger aircraft loads and passport control traffic.
Voices from the airport
Airport COO Jerome Woodard captured the current state plainly: the airport experience is “totally different than last summer,” pointing to partial lobby openings, upcoming checkpoint shifts, and changed flows through ticketing and security.
Build extra time into your trip and follow the signs.
Final takeaway and reminders
- Construction and demand mean Charlotte Douglas International Airport is operating as both a major hub and an active construction zone.
- Follow signage and staff directions, reserve parking, and use the CLT app for live updates.
- Bring the correct ID — REAL ID or passport — and arrive early to minimize stress.
These actions help keep operations moving during the holiday crunch and ensure smoother travel for everyone while the airport completes its upgrades.
This Article in a Nutshell
From Aug 28–Sep 2, 2025, CLT expects 856,000+ passengers and ~204,000 through TSA. Checkpoint C closes Sept 5; PreCheck moves to A. REAL ID required since May 7, 2025. Arrive early and use the CLT app for updates.
