When it comes to air travel (and all the potential problems that come with it), having a short layover in Charlotte is not something to get stressed about.
- Connecting from one domestic flight to another in Charlotte can be done in as little as 35 minutes (I’ve done it).
- Connecting to an international flight from a domestic flight can be done in as little as 45 minutes.
- Connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight can easily be done with a layover time of just a one hour. That’s pushing it, but it’s definitely possible.
Of all the major hub airports in the United States, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is one of the most compact and efficient. As a matter of fact, it’s the airport I often fantasize about what I’m sprinting through ATL at top speed jumping over families with small children (O.J. Simpson style) in a desperate attempt to catch my next flight.
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The reason why short layovers are ok in Charlotte
The reason why Charlotte is one of the most efficient airports for making short connections in is because of its size. It wasn’t designed to be a major hub airport, therefore, there’s a limit to how many flights it can handle on a daily basis.
This greatly reduces congestion, which makes transiting through the airport much calmer process compared to others.
Also, Compared to other major hub airports (such as Atlanta and Chicago), the terminals at CLT are relatively small. Walking from one end of the terminal to the next can be done in as little as 15 minutes. If you run, it’ll only take 5.
What is the minimum layover for domestic flights in Charlotte?
The minimum layover that I would recommend in Charlotte from one domestic flight to another is 35 minutes. Honestly, you could probably do it in as little as 25, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Only those with nerves of steel should voluntarily attempt something like this.
Just know that if your inbound flight is late, and time is running short, the chances of making your connection are far greater in Charlotte than they are at other hub airports.
What is the minimum layover for international flights in Charlotte?
If I lived in the southeast, I would fly in and out of the Charlotte airport as much as I could for international flights. It’s just so darn easy (and fast) to move through when it comes to international departures and arrivals.
One of the primary reasons for this is that there is no dedicated international terminal at CLT. International flights can (and do) depart from any terminal.
Connecting TO an international flight
Connecting to an international flight from a domestic flight in Charlotte will require a minimum layover of 45 minutes. The only reason why it requires more time than a domestic to domestic connection is due to the fact that (per FAA regulations), you need to be onboard an international flight a little earlier.
Note that you will not have to go through any additional security checks when connecting to an international flight in Charlotte. Just walk to your gate and board the plane.
Connecting FROM an international flight
Connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight in Charlotte will require minimum layover of one hour. The reason why it can be done so quickly is because of the fact that the Charlotte Airport doesn’t process many international flights on any given day. It’s a relatively quick and efficient process to get through passport control and customs.
That being said, I would highly recommend a longer layover if you have the option. I’d want at least two hours to make a no-stress international to domestic connection in Charlotte, but I’ll talk more about that in a moment…
A brief overview of the terminal layout at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport
I really like the Charlotte Airport. It’s large enough to feel like a big international hub, but small enough to walk through relatively quickly.
There are five main terminals at CLT (A, B, C, D, and E). Terminal A is the only one that is broken up into two separate concourses.
All terminals and concourses are connected airside past the security checkpoints. This means that you can walk between all terminals at CLT without having to go through any additional security checks.
Pro tip: since all terminals are accessible from any security checkpoint, you can save a lot of time by choosing the security checkpoint with the shortest line and still access any gate in the airport.
Travel time between all terminals at CLT
The nice thing about the Charlotte Airport is that it’s one of the most walkable in the entire US.
I’ve walked from one end of Terminal A all the way to the tippy-top end of Terminal E in about 10 minutes. Of course, I walk at a very brisk pace, so add a few minutes if your stride (or swagger) is a bit more casual.
For reference, here’s how long it should take the average person to walk between all terminals at the Charlotte airport:
Terminal A (gates A21-29) to:
- Terminal A (gates A1-13): 3 minutes
- Terminal B: 5 minutes
- Terminal C: 7 minutes
- Terminal D: 9 minutes
- Terminal E: 11 minutes
Terminal A (gates A1-13) to:
- Terminal A (gates A21-29): 3 minutes
- Terminal B: 2 minutes
- Terminal C: 4 minutes
- Terminal D: 6 minutes
- Terminal E: 8 minutes
Terminal B to:
- Terminal A (gates A1-13): 2 minutes
- Terminal A (gates A21-29): 5 minutes
- Terminal C: 2 minutes
- Terminal D: 4 minutes
- Terminal E: 6 minutes
Terminal C to:
- Terminal A (gates A1-13): 4 minutes
- Terminal A (gates A21-29): 7 minutes
- Terminal B: 2 minutes
- Terminal D: 2 minutes
- Terminal E: 4 minutes
Terminal D to:
- Terminal A (gates A1-13): 6 minutes
- Terminal A (gates A21-29): 9 minutes
- Terminal B: 4 minutes
- Terminal C: 2 minutes
- Terminal E: 2 minutes
Terminal E to:
- Terminal A (gates A1-13): 8 minutes
- Terminal A (gates A21-29): 11 minutes
- Terminal B: 6 minutes
- Terminal C: 4 minutes
- Terminal D: 2 minutes
How long of a layover do you need in Charlotte for a no-stress connection?
Note: all the connection times that I’ve mentioned so far are a bit on the aggressive side. They are the absolute minimum layover times that I would recommend. That being said, you’re likely to feel a bit stressed trying to achieve those kinds of connection times, so here’s what I recommend for a no-stress layover at CLT:
Domestic to domestic connections
For a completely no-stress domestic to domestic layover, an hour and a half is sufficient at the Charlotte Airport. That’ll easily give you enough time to hit the food court in the central terminal, or to hang out in a lounge if you have access to one.
FYI, an hour and a half is a lot shorter than what I’ve recommended for other airports. For example:
- My ideal amount of time for a short layover in Honolulu is two hours.
- I’d also want two hours for a short layover in Orlando (which is notable since it’s a slightly smaller airport than CLT).
- Depending on which airline I’m flying, 3 hours is my minimum for a no-stress short layover in Detroit.
Domestic to international connections
For me, two hours would be an ideal layover when connecting to an international flight from a domestic flight. There aren’t any additional steps required to make a domestic to international connection in Charlotte, but you will need a little extra time to board the plane a bit early (per FAA regulations).
International to domestic connections
Call me paranoid, but to make a no-stress international to domestic connection at Charlotte, I would want three hours. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t need all of it, but then again, that’s what makes it no-stress. A three hour layover would easily be able to absorb any delays going through customs.
Tips for making really short layovers at Charlotte
The most important thing you didn’t need to know about having a short layover at CLT is that it’s going to be OK. I promise you that.
Honestly, of all the hub airports in the US to have a short connection at, Charlotte just might be at the top of my list for being the easiest and fastest to navigate through. If you’re still feeling a little stressed, here are a few tips based on my own experiences:
- Take advantage of the moving walkways! Walking at a brisk pace on the moving walkways (which are located throughout the entire airport) will easily cut down on the time estimates I’ve given above.
- Don’t waste your time trying to find something to eat in the individual terminals. Your best bet for getting quick and decent food will be in the central terminal.
- It’s always a good idea to study the terminal map of the airport before you arrive. This way, you’ll have a very good sense of where you need to go once you arrive (so you can hit the ground running).
And finally, if you’re flying American Airlines, you have even less to worry about. Since the Charlotte Airport is an American Airlines hub, missing your connecting flight is hardly ever a big deal.
They’ll automatically put you on the next one, and given the high frequency of flights in and out of CLT on a daily basis, chances are pretty good you won’t have to wait long.
AVLspotter
The best food I’ve found at CLT is the Panera in Terminal A. It’s a farther walk but Terminal A is usually deserted and seems to have been renovated more recently. Terminal E, where the American Eagle flights operate out of, is considerably less nice.
Scott (SANspotter)
I agree about that Panera! It’s definitely worth the walk if your layover is long enough.
Kelly
I used to live in the CLT region, and I can tell you from experience that the single terminal and liberal use of moving walkways makes getting anywhere at CLT a breeze. The central terminal does get a bit hectic since security dumps you right into the middle of it, but once you’re in the concourses it’s simple.
Quick tip for any other CLT travelers: security checkpoint E is often the least busy one, people think that they MUST use the checkpoint that correlates to their concourse, but in reality they all take you to the same central concourse.
Scott (SANspotter)
Thanks for that extra tip Kelly! Just another reason why CLT is so easy to fly in and out of (and make connections at).
CJ Apple
Want to fly from Munich to Orlando via Charlotte in November and have 3 options for layover time:
1. 1 h 30 min.
2. 2h 30 min.
3. 3 h 30 min.
Which is the best option, because I will stay at Walt Disney World, but won´t be able to get into the parks on day one, because I will arrive in the evening at Orlando Airport and than have to get to my hotel, too, which would take another 1 hour or more.
Good thing is that you make immigration at Charlotte Airport and can pick up your baggage in Orlando and go straight to the bus to the former Disney Magical Express area. Have to book that beforehand, but they need the flight number and arrival time first.
So I want to ask which option you would choose for a relaxed layover.
Scott (SANspotter)
Personally, I would go for the 2h and 30 minute layover. However – if you don’t mind the possibility of having to wait around for a while, the 3 hour and 30 minute layover will make it completely stress free. Have a good trip!
Rem
Is an hour connection in CLT to an international flight still doable?
Scott (SANspotter)
Should be pretty easy. All gates are connected behind security at CLT, and you won’t have to go through any additional security checks. It’s just a matter of walking from one flight to the next.