The Charlotte/Douglas International Airport is one of the city's proudest facilities. Charlotte/Douglas International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Charlotte and is ranked as one of the nation's top airports. The airport serves commercial, cargo, private, corporate, and military operations. The airport was constructed in 1936 and has a long history of construction and renovation. Charlotte/Douglas International Airport has transformed into one of the few international airports in the country. It was in 1954 when the first 70,000 square-foot passenger terminal opened. The airport began to gain more travelers and traffic; by 1978, international cargo flights were scheduled from Charlotte to Zurich. Ten years later, the airport began to offer international direct flights to London which designated it as an international airport. In 2005, Charlotte/Douglas International Airport was designated the nation's 16th busiest airport.
Charlotte is famous for its banking industry, but in 2008 when the banking system begin to crumble, thousands of employees who worked in the financial sector found themselves out of a job. The Charlotte/Douglas International Airport makes a ten billion dollar contribution to the local economy of Charlotte. The airport is responsible for supplying over 100,000 jobs to residents in and around the Charlotte area.
Each year over 33 million passengers fly to or out of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Over two million of those passengers use the airport to travel internationally. Each day, approximately 643 planes depart from the airport. The airport consist of one terminal with five concourses and is over 1.7 million square feet large. Travelers who have used the airport have reported pleasant experiences including a large selection of restaurants, shops, and spa facilities. One of the best features is the free WiFi internet that is available for passengers.
Eight domestic carriers and two foreign ones operate out of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. The domestic carriers include AirTrain, Continental, United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Northwest, and US Airways. The two foreign flag carriers are Air Canada Jazz and Lufthansa German Airlines. The airport's international service has non-stop flights arriving to 163 destinations. Mexico, Germany, Bahamas, Guatemala, England, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are all countries that are served by Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. It is reported that 83% of the flights at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport arrive on time.
In the airport's courtyard is a Queen Charlotte sculpture. The sculpture, fountains, and garden-like landscaping creates a pleasant ambiance for travelers who want to spend some time outdoors on one of the benches prior to leaving for their flight. The interior of the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport has a modern and clean look and feel. Beyond the security checkpoint, large looming windows and rocking chairs decorate the wide court in the open terminal.
There are five hotels in close proximity to the airport for passengers who are stranded. The Holiday Inn, La Quinta inn, Courtyard Charlotte, Days Inn, and Sheraton are all within two miles of the airport. Courtesy shuttles from the airport are available to most of the hotels in the area.
