New Charlotte airport overlook opens

CHARLOTTE — One of Charlotte’s best free attractions opened Friday at 8 a.m.

After closing in 2022 for new taxiway construction, the airport overlook is back in a new location and with more amenities than ever before.

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“It is rare to find overlooks at airports, much less overlooks that are this amenitized and have this much opportunity for community interaction,” said director of community engagement Stuart Hair.

This is the fifth location for the overlook since 1937. The newly completed 600,000-square-foot project is its permanent location, officials said.

For plane fanatics, there are unparalleled views of the runways for takeoff and landing and a huge aviation-themed playground for the kids. There’s even a retired U.S. military fighter jet, an F-4 Phantom II, on display.

“I don’t think I can climb up the slide or that tower any longer, but I know that would have been something very popular with my kid back in the day,” Hair said.

The playground has a mini air traffic control tower and runway.

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“I think what we have here is a great opportunity for children of all ages to come out and enjoy seeing the airplanes, seeing the airport operations, and learning about what we do,” said Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine.

There will be bathrooms, plenty of shade, seating, and space for food trucks. There’s a memorial built for USAir Flight 1016, which killed 37 people when it crashed in 1994 on its way to Charlotte Douglas.

The new overlook is located on Airport Overlook Drive. You just turn on Old Dowd Road and drive until you see the big blue Airport Overlook sign.

VIDEO: Construction expected to begin on airport overlook

Construction expected to begin on airport overlook

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