---
title: "CLT is which airport? Charlotte"
description: "CLT is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, United States. Where the code comes from, and the codes it gets mixed up with."
url: https://atoneplace.net/airport/clt/
site: "At One Place"
---

# What airport is CLT?

**CLT is: Charlotte Douglas International Airport**

Charlotte, United States

## Why the code is CLT

CharLoTte, using the consonants because CHA was already taken by Chattanooga.

This is the explanation in general circulation and it is very likely right, but no primary document has been published that settles it. Treated as an account rather than a fact.

## The airport

- **IATA code:** CLT
- **ICAO code:** KCLT
- **Airport:** Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- **City:** Charlotte, United States
- **Code origin:** The usual account, unverified

Charlotte is one of the busiest airports in the world by aircraft movements while being nowhere near the busiest by passengers, because it is a connecting hub built on regional jets — many flights, few seats each. The terminal is known for its rocking chairs, of which there are several hundred.

## Codes people book by mistake

| Code | What it actually is |
| --- | --- |
| CHA | Chattanooga, Tennessee. The code Charlotte could not have. |

## The other code, KCLT

Every airport has two codes. The three-letter IATA code, CLT, is the one on your boarding pass and your luggage tag, and it is assigned for commercial use. The four-letter ICAO code, KCLT, is the one pilots and controllers use, and it is assigned geographically: the first letter or two identify the region, so every airport in the same part of the world shares a prefix. That is why KCLT looks nothing like CLT.

## Common questions

### What airport is CLT?

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, in Charlotte, United States.

### Why is Charlotte's airport called CLT?

CharLoTte, using the consonants because CHA was already taken by Chattanooga.

### What is the difference between CLT and KCLT?

CLT is the IATA code, used commercially — tickets, timetables, luggage tags. KCLT is the ICAO code, used operationally by pilots and air traffic control, and assigned geographically by region.

### Is CLT the same as CHA?

No. CHA is chattanooga, Tennessee. The code Charlotte could not have.

## Related pages

- [United States](https://atoneplace.net/country/united-states/)
- [The flag of United States](https://atoneplace.net/flag/united-states/)
- [Airport codes in United States](https://atoneplace.net/airport/in/united-states/)
- [What airport is JFK?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/jfk/)
- [What airport is LAX?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/lax/)
- [What airport is ORD?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/ord/)
- [What airport is ATL?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/atl/)
- [What airport is MCO?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/mco/)
- [What airport is DFW?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/dfw/)
- [What airport is EWR?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/ewr/)
- [What airport is SFO?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/sfo/)

## Sources

- OurAirports — OurAirports (https://ourairports.com/data/) [Public domain]