A Key American Airlines Hub: The Story Of Charlotte Douglas International

Simple Flying

Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) has expanded from a local municipal airport to a major hub for American Airlines.

Photo: Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte Douglas International Airport started as a municipal airport in 1936 and was briefly used as a military base during World War II.
The airport saw rapid expansion in the jet age, with the addition of a larger terminal and the establishment of Eastern Airlines as the dominant carrier.
Charlotte became a hub for Piedmont Airlines in 1979 and later for USAir, which eventually merged with American Airlines, making Charlotte a major hub for the world's largest airline.