This Main U.S. Airport Simply Opened a Airplane-spotting Space Full with a Playground and Meals Vans — Airline Ticket Not Required

There’s a brand new strategy to spot planes with out having to undergo safety in North Carolina due to a 600,000-square-foot overlook space that simply opened. 

The lookout deck, which opened lower than two miles from the Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport (CLT), is free and open to the general public, providing views over the airfield, skyline, and terminal, in line with the airport. And it options some actually cool aircraft-themed facilities to excite the entire household.

“The Airport is aware of how essential the Overlook is to the area people and we labored diligently to create a spot that folks of all ages will take pleasure in,” CLT Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine mentioned in an announcement. “This area showcases many shows and options that can educate, encourage and create lasting reminiscences.”

Along with airplane recognizing, the deck options an airport-themed playground full with a mini air site visitors management tower with a slide and a plane-shaped climbing construction, together with a displayed retired U.S. army fighter jet and “informative displays” detailing aviation historical past within the Carolinas, together with the varieties of planes that use the airport, the science behind a Boeing 747 plane, and the way runways are constructed and named. And if airplane spotters get hungry, there’s a meals truck space and coated picnic tables.

On a extra somber observe, the location contains a memorial to USAir Flight 1016, which crashed into a personal house whereas making an attempt to land at Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport in 1994, ensuing within the deaths of 37 passengers, in line with the Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB).

This everlasting lookout replaces a brief one which was put in place after the final overlook closed in 2022 because of airport building.

The brand new overlook additionally options accessible parking, bicycle racks, restrooms with child altering stations, and pet reduction areas so the entire household can take pleasure in.

This isn’t the one new factor coming to the Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport this yr: the airport can even get its first Delta Sky Membership lounge by the tip of 2024.