Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook

Charlotte Douglas Airport has invested a sizable portion of time and money in producing probably one of the finest airport overlooks you will find. The overlook covers a huge swath of land with ample parking and provides multiple opportunities for aviation spotters and the casual family of plane watchers. There is a covered picnic area with room for food trucks to stop by. Restrooms. A children’s playground. There is even a Vietnam War era McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II fighter jet static display to enjoy.

The Overlook gives fantastic views of aircraft arriving and departing on 36L and 18L. Once the new runway/taxiway construction is completed, there will be excellent views on both sides of the overlook. Downtown Charlotte rises majestically in the distance and makes a fine backdrop for aircraft taking off and landing on the far runway across the airfield.

118Jun23

Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook

I came over to the new Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook after a short visit to Hickory, NC. In Hickory the day before, I witnessed the retirement of an AV-8B+ Harrier II to the Hickory Aviation Museum. Upon completion of that event, I packed up and headed to Charlotte to check out the new overlook location. It did not disappoint.

19Jul24

American Airlines Boeing 777 on approach to land on runway 18L at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This is the runway farthest away from the new overlook.

Downtown Charlotte with its array of high rises provides an fabulous backdrop for the landing American Airlines Boeing 777.

American Eagle Bombardier CRJ-900LR (CL-600-2D24)

I was alerted to the arrival of an RAF Airbus A400 to Charlotte while I was at the overlook. Assuming it would land on the National Guard Base side of the airport, I moved to the opposite side of the airport. But as luck would have it, the RAF A400 landed on the Overlook side due to a 777 in the pattern landing on the Base side. This was the least obscured photo I could capture of it.

Lineup of North Carolina Air National Guard Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transports at the Base ramp.

The RAF Airbus A400 (ZM403, RRR4119) taxied across the airport and eventually found its way over to the National Guard Base.

The RAF Airbus A400 (ZM403, RRR4119) taxied on by and out of sight.

A go around for American Airlines Boeing 737-823.

Downtown Charlotte skyline from the new airport overlook.

A McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom on display at the overlook.
You can find a complete walkaround of this Phantom in my Gate Guards and Static Display portfolio in Photo Miscellanym - www.aerowephile.com/portfolio-miscellany/gate-guards-and-static-disp — A McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom on display at the overlook. You can find a complete walkaround of this Phantom in my Gate Guards and Static Display portfolio in Photo Miscellanym - www.aerowephile.com/portfolio-miscellany/gate-guards-and-static-displays.

Lufthansa Airbus A350-941 with registration D-AIVD landing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4(WL) N917WN

American Airlines Boeing 737-823(WL) N980NN smoking the tires on landing.

Royal Air Force (RAF) Airbus A400M Atlas taking off from CLT and banking hard right to avoid the oncoming storm.

Southwest Airlines 737 rising into the sky with a magnificent cloud backdrop.

Charlotte Douglas International Aiport Landings & Departures

Multiple departures and landings that were taken on a Tuesday afternoon visit to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The video includes shots from the new Charlotte Overlook and from outside the new Sullenberger Aviation Museum.

Aircraft appearing in the video includes the following: Airbus A350, A400M • Boeing 737 • Bombardier CRJ • Embraer ERJ

Airlines seen in the video: American Airlines • Delta • Lufthansa • RAF • Southwest • United

16Jul24

Landings and Departures from the Temporary Charlotte Airport Overlook

Made my second stop at the temporary Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook since it opened. Vehicles filled a crowded parking lot and lots of spectators were watching aircraft arriving and departing. I spent approximately one hour at the overlook enjoying the sights and sounds, while taking numerous photos and video. The majority of aircraft that I saw belonged to American Airlines. But a few other airlines like Spirit, FedEx, Contour, Amazon Prime Air, Delta, United, Southwest and Lufthansa made appearances. Aircraft that I saw included the Airbus A319, A320, A321, A350, Boeing 737, 767 and 777.

18Jun23

Kalitta Charters LLC
1978 Gates Learjet 35A
18Jun23 — Kalitta Charters LLC 1978 Gates Learjet 35A 18Jun23

American Airlines
Boeing 737-823
18Jun23 — American Airlines Boeing 737-823 18Jun23

Contour Aviation
Embraer ERJ-135ER
18Jun23 — Contour Aviation Embraer ERJ-135ER 18Jun23

Amazon Prime Air
Boeing 767
18Jun23 — Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 18Jun23

American Airlines
Airbus A320-232
18Jun23 — American Airlines Airbus A320-232 18Jun23

American Airlines
Airbus A321-231
18Jun23 — American Airlines Airbus A321-231 18Jun23

Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook

On a rainy, overcast Saturday, I made a late afternoon stop at the newly opened, temporary Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook. Due to ongoing airport construction, the previous overlook space is being removed to make way for new taxiways. The new temporary Overlook is located near the end of runway 18C/36C and had on this day views of approaching aircraft landing on all three of Charlotte Airport’s runways (Left, Center, and Right). Aircraft takeoffs were going away from the Overlook. Most of the aircraft that I saw were from American Airlines. Others included Southwest, United Airlines, Spirit, and a Contour charter flight.

12Nov22