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AvGeek alert: There's a new amenity-rich observation area at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Harriet Baskas
Contributor
June 07, 2024
•
3 min read
AvGeek alert: There's a new amenity-rich observation area at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
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AvGeeks and fans of airport observation areas now have a reason to plan a trip to Charlotte.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) has officially opened its new permanent Airport Overlook. The 600,000-square-foot observation area has an expansive and inclusive array of amenities that rival the views.
About 3 miles from the main terminal area, the overlook offers planespotters an ideal perch for views of the airfield, the skyline and the terminal. Of course, that's what you’d expect from an airport observation area. It's also what CLT’s four previous overlooks, dating back to 1937, offered.
However, the new Airport Overlook has loads of modern and very welcome bells and whistles.
For starters, it features LED lighting, plenty of paved and accessible parking for cars and buses, and an expanded food truck staging area. Plus, Airport Overlook has pet relief areas, restrooms with baby changing stations, bicycle racks, picnic tables and shaded areas to escape the sun.
There are also two age-specific, aviation-themed playgrounds on-site; they offer a play-safe runway and climbable structures, such as a miniature air traffic control with a slide, a miniature fuel truck and a baggage cart.
Kids and adults who are curious about the history of flight and want to know how airplanes and airports work can read the information panels. The panels detail the types of planes that fly in and out of the airport, and they explain everything from why planes can fly to how runways are built and named. A short history of CLT is included.
Overlook visitors can also admire a retired U.S. military fighter jet, an F-4 Phantom II, that flew during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Additionally, they can spend time at the memorial dedicated to US Airways Flight 1016. That flight, which was traveling from Columbia, South Carolina, to Charlotte, crashed near CLT on July 2, 1994, killing 37 people and injuring at least 20 others.
“The Airport knows how important the Overlook is to the local community and we worked diligently to create a place that people of all ages will enjoy,” CLT chief infrastructure officer Jack Christine said in a statement. “This space showcases many displays and features that will educate, inspire and create lasting memories.”
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This is CLT’s fifth observation area. The first location dates back to 1937. The most recent location opened in 1989 and closed in October 2022 to make way for the airport’s North End-Around Taxiway and future Fourth Parallel Runway; a temporary area was available during the construction, though.
How to find CLT’s new Airport Overlook
Airport Overlook at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 3 miles west of the terminal off Old Dowd Road at 5130 Airport Overlook Drive. Look for the blue and white tail sign.
There is currently no bus service between the airport and Airport Overlook, but if you want to visit the area during a long layover or before or after a flight, it should be a fairly inexpensive ride via Uber or Lyft.
Charlotte's Airport Overlook is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.
Featured image by CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.