Charlotte Douglas International Airport

The new Overlook at Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Observation Decks, ,

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.

Queen Charlotte returns to Charlotte Douglas Int’l AIrport

Art, ,

Charlotte Douglas Int’l Airport welcomes back Queen Charlotte

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is hard at work on Destination CLT, the airport’s $4 billion capital investment program.

And the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) is a $608 million piece of that project.

The west side of the TLE opened in July, 2022. And now the east side of that section is set to open at the end of October.

This section delivers about 90,000 square feet of new space, access to the east subterranean walkway, and TSA’s Checkpoint 1, with eight screening lanes. .

Travelers through this new east side lobby area will also find large windows, terrazo flooring, bright blue tile frames for the entrances and exits, and new sculptures and murals.

Pasengers will also see an old friend.

While construction has been underway, the airport’s statue of Queen Charlotte was moved out the way and then taken offsite for a restoration and a repatina.

Now she’s back.

Last week, airport officials unveiled the refreshed 3,000-pound, 15-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Queen Charlotte, back on top of a 30-foot tall base.

The Queen Charlotte statue is now in the center of the Queen’s Court, the name for the Terminal Lobby Expansion space. Queen’s Court is also home to Queen Charlotte’s Kitchen. This is CLT’s first pre-security sit-down dining option, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as wine, beer and cocktails.

How did the Queen Charlotte get to CLT?

In the late 1980’s a local group put up $250,000 to commission an airport sculpture to symbolize the city and greet CLT passengers.

Washington, D.C., artist Raymond Kaskey won the commission and his statue of Queen Charlotte was dedicated on Sept. 18, 1990.

For many years the statue stood on a fountain in an outdoor plaza between CLT’s hourly parkng decks. She’s been been moved around and taken off site for several years to accomodate airport construction.

Here’s a video of Raymond Kaskey talking about the getting the initial commission for the project and creating the sculpture.

(All photos courtesy CLT)

Airports deal with fire, a water main break, and the return of the dogs

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It was quite a Monday for some airports around the country. The day started out like this at Denver International Airport

Wag Brigade back at SFO

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced that the SFO Wag Brigade, a team of certified stress-relief animals, is back on duty in the terminals after a 20-month absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The San Francisco SPCA certifies all participating animals through their Animal Assisted Therapy (ATT) Program. And, prior to returning to SFO, all Wag Brigade animals were recertified. We hope that means LiLou the airport therapy pig that used to visit SFO about once a month will return soon too.

Fire at DFW, No Water at CLT Airport

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) had to deal with a water main break nearby today.

And at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), there was a fire in one of the parking garages.

Let’s hope things go smoother on Tuesday.

Travel Tidbits from airports & museums

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Happy Friday! Here are some travel tidbits we’ve been keeping in the inbox all week

Fresh murals at Charlotte Douglas Int’l Airport

CLT Airport is greeting passengers on Concourse C with four new murals by two local artists

Amy Bagwell’s two murals “Our Days” at gates C4 and C7 were inspired by her travels through the airport.

And Ruth Ava Lyons’ “Interplay I” and “Interplay II” at gates C10 and C15 focus on the wonder of the natural world and issues surrounding the delicately balanced constellation of ecosystems worldwide.


The Places We’ll Go: World Chess Hall of Fame

We’re making lists of places we’ll go once we can go places.

On the list: The World Chess Hall of Fame, in St. Louis, MO.

Not only is the World Chess Hall of Fame home to the World’s Largest Chess Piece (20 feet tall), but through May 16, 2021, the museum is hosting an exhibit of work by Keith Haring. In addition to Haring’s works and photographs of the artist, the exhibit includes bespoke street art chess sets from Purling London and newly-commissioned pieces by Saint Louis artists, all paying homage to the late pop culture icon.

More ways to mask up at airports

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Courtesy Ashley Chung

More ways to mask up at airports

A few weeks back we celebrated Mask Monday with some fun “Wear your mask” reminders from airports.

Since then, many airports have gotten in touch to show off their branded masks and the creative ways they are reminding travelers to mask up.

Here’s a sampling. Let us know if you have one to add.

Here’s how Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) encourages passengers to mask up.

Here’s a snazzy mask from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

This one, from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, glows in the dark! (You can buy one at Mr. Boxer in the C Concourse)

These are from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

This snazzy mask is for sale in the gift shops at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)

And the masks below, along with everything else you see pictured, are from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and are for sale in the GSP online store.

Have an airport-branded mask to show off? Send it along.