Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a fully smoke-free facility indoors. The only place you can legally smoke at CLT is outside the terminal building, in designated outdoor areas at least 100 feet from any entrance. There are no indoor smoking rooms, no airside smoking lounges, and no post-security options of any kind.

Before Security

Your only realistic window to smoke is before you enter the terminal or after you exit it landside. The designated outdoor smoking zones are located at two levels:

• Departures (upper level): Head to the west or east end of the departures curb, at least 100 feet from the terminal doors. Look for posted signage and cigarette disposal bins marking the exact spot. The location may shift slightly due to construction or operational changes, so check signage on arrival.

• Arrivals (lower level): Outdoor smoking areas are near doors A and D, or by the hourly parking deck and curbside pick-up zones. Again, follow the posted signs.

Both areas are curbside and open-air, with no shelter from weather. Ashtrays and disposal bins are provided. These spots are accessible to anyone before they enter the building.

After Security

There are no smoking areas, smoking rooms, or smoking-permitted lounges past the TSA checkpoints at CLT. This applies to all concourses and gate areas. No airline club or lounge within the secure zone permits smoking or vaping. If you have already cleared security and need to smoke, you must exit the terminal entirely, use an outdoor designated area, and then go through the full TSA screening process again to return to your gate.

Vaping Rules

Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated identically to traditional tobacco under CLT's policy. They are banned everywhere inside the terminal, including all concourses, restaurants, bars, lounges, and restrooms. Vaping is only permitted in the same outdoor designated zones as cigarette smoking.

Transit and Layovers

If you have a connecting flight and want to smoke, plan carefully. Re-clearing security at CLT can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes or longer during peak periods. The safest approach is to smoke before going through security for the first time. If you are already airside and have a tight connection, skipping the smoke break is strongly advisable.

Bottom Line

Smoke before you go through security, outside the terminal at the curbside zones on either level. Once you are airside, there are zero options, paid or free, and re-entry means a full TSA re-screen.