American Express to Open New Lounge in Charlotte

Recently, American Express debuted its innovative lounge model named Sidecar by Centurion at Las Vegas airport. This new concept offers a more unique take on the traditional Centurion Lounge, featuring a smaller space designed like a restaurant. Customers can easily order food and drinks via QR codes. It’s been announced that Amex plans to roll out this model to several other airports that already have Centurion Lounges.

A few weeks ago, I came across information about the next airport to receive this lounge, and now it’s official. The new lounge is set to open at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2027.

Details About the New Lounge

According to the announcement, a Sidecar by Centurion Lounge will be constructed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), with plans to launch sometime in 2027. On March 9, 2026, the Charlotte City Council met and approved this new model. The lounge will span 4,641 square feet, located in Concourse A, as part of the second expansion phase.

American Express has signed a five-year lease, with the option to extend for another five years. In the first year, Amex will pay approximately $200 per square foot, which amounts to nearly a million dollars in annual rent, with a 2.5% increase each year.

More Luxurious Space at the Airport

For comparison, Amex already has a Centurion Lounge that is about 13,000 square feet at Charlotte Airport, situated between Concourses D and E. It’s clear that this new lounge will be significantly larger than the one in Las Vegas, although the specific size of the Las Vegas lounge has yet to be disclosed. The Las Vegas lounge currently accommodates a maximum of just 33 guests, making it quite small.

Improving the Lounge Situation in Charlotte

It’s encouraging to see positive changes in the lounge offerings at Charlotte Airport. In the past, this airport was considered one of the worst major airports in terms of lounge quality. However, things are gradually improving. Recently, American also opened Provisions by Admirals Club, allowing members to purchase food and drinks to take with them.

While it may not be the most luxurious lounge, Provisions is incredibly practical, especially considering the short layover times that airlines offer at this airport.

Plans for Additional Lounges in Charlotte

Even more exciting is the anticipated opening of a Capital One lounge in Charlotte, which will boast a new space of 14,000 square feet also being built in the Concourse A expansion. There are even plans for an American Flagship Lounge at Charlotte, which is certainly needed.

However, there is currently no specific timeline for the completion of the Capital One and American Flagship lounges, so patience will be required as we await their arrival.

Conclusion

American Express is gearing up to open a Sidecar by Centurion Lounge in Concourse A at Charlotte. Construction is expected to begin soon, and the lounge, spanning over 4,600 square feet, is set to launch in 2027. This is exciting news, especially as the airport continues to significantly enhance its lounge services.

American Express to Open New Lounge in Charlotte