Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) has a new 600,000-square-foot Airport Overlook, or observation area.
We can’t wait to visit and check out the wide array of cool amenities and take advantage of the great views of the airfield, the skyline and the terminal.
This is the airport’s fifth official Overlook since 1937. The last one was closed to make way for a new taxiway and runway. And this one is a keeper.
Here’s a list of what visitors can do and see at the new Overlook at Charlotte Douglas International Airport:
The main attraction is an unobstructed view of takeoffs and landings on the airfield. But the Overlook also hosts exhibits about aviation history in the Carolinas and descriptions of planes and equipment visitors might see. Not sure what’s what? There are also explanations of how things work, such as what makes it possible for a 747 to fly and how runways are built and named.
Playgrounds, Aircraft Display and a Memorial
The Overlook has space for food trucks and includes two aviation-themed playgrounds with plane-shaped climbing structures, an air-traffic control tower with a slide, a mini fuel truck, a baggage cart and a runway. Additional amenities include covered picnic tables, plenty of parking and shaded areas, a pet relief area, bike racks and restrooms with baby changing tables.
But wait, there’s more.
The CLT Airport Overlook is home to a retired U.S. military fighter jet: an F4 Phantom II that flew during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. A memorial for the 37 people who died when USAir Flight 1016 crashed near the airport on July 2, 1994, is here too.
The new Airport Overlook at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is on airport property at 5130 Airport Overlook Drive. It is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Admission is free.
Here are some images CLT shared of the previous locations.
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would be nice to see some of the airports in the UK doing this ( apart from manchester which already has good viewing area ) Heathrow and gatwick appear not to want spotters