June 17, 2024 – You’re stuck in the Airport, and you are hungry, even on the verge of being hangry. It’s been a long, hectic travel day and it’s late. Maybe your flight is delayed, adding to the travel stress. You need food, but what is open to quench your thirst and satiate the grumbling stomach that’s demanding food?
CLT dining and retail concessionaires HMSHost and Paradies Lagardère recently expanded the number of businesses open 24/7 to accommodate the round-the-clock endeavor that air travel has become.
Food and Beverage 24/7
- Dunkin’, Atrium
- Brookwood Farms BBQ, Atrium
- Midwood Smokehouse to Go, Concourse B
- Beatrix Market, Concourse C
- Starbucks, Concourse A
- Ciao, Concourse D
- The Local, Concourse D
- Pronto vending, Concourse E
- Hissho Sushi, Atrium
- Queen Charlotte’s Kitchen, Baggage Claim
- Snap vending, Baggage Claim
- Red Star Lounge, Concourse B
Retail 24/7
- Charlotte News & Gifts, Concourse A
- CNBC
- Gate B4
- Gate C13
- Gate D6
- Atrium
- Charlotte Supply Co., The Plaza
- Today store, Concourse E Rotunda
- The Goods Express @ CLT (featuring Amazon "Just Walk Out" technology), Atrium.
- Travel@Ease vending
- Concourse A North Connector
- Checkpoint 1
- Concourse E
- Baggage Claim
- Rental Car Facility
- Express Deck.
Coming soon - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Vending, Baggage Claim
The concept of keeping Airport shops, restaurants and services open 24 hours a day is not new to the industry but brings a host of benefits for travelers and concessionaires alike.
Enhanced Traveler Convenience
Travelers' needs don’t conform to a 9-to-5 schedule. Whether it's a late-night craving for a meal, a need to buy last-minute travel essentials, or simply a cup of coffee during a red-eye layover, 24-hour concessions cater to these requirements seamlessly. This convenience greatly improves the overall travel experience, making journeys less stressful and more comfortable.
Boosted Airport Revenue
Keeping Airport concessions open 24/7 also can significantly increase revenue streams. The continuous flow of passengers, including those on late-night and early-morning flights, have more opportunities for purchases and sales figures can see a marked uptick.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, 24-hour concessions ensure that the constant influx of passengers - whether they’re departing, arriving, or in transit - has access to retail and food options. This steady customer base translates into consistent sales, contributing to the airport’s economic health.
CLT has seen its hours of passenger demand increasing. The quiet hours of midnight to 5 a.m. where few people are around, have shrunk. It’s easy to find passengers in the Airport at all times of the day and night as demand for air travel has increased and airlines have responded to that demand with more flights.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
Extended operational hours require more staff, thereby creating job opportunities and supporting the local economy. This includes hiring for various positions such as cashiers, cooks, janitors, and security personnel, fostering employment in the surrounding communities.
This has a ripple effect on the local economy, providing stable incomes for many families and boosting economic activity in the region, where more than 20,000 people work at the Airport.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport contributed $32 billion to the state’s economy in 2021, according to the latest data from the N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation. It amounts to 5% of the state’s gross domestic product, $1.82 billion in tax revenue, 151,575 jobs and $9.9 billion in personal income.
Improved Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty
Providing 24-hour services can significantly enhance customer satisfaction. Happy and satisfied travelers are more likely to become loyal customers who prefer using airports where they’ve had positive experiences.
At CLT, customer satisfaction with food, beverage and retail services tops 80%. That means 8 out of 10 passengers participating in the 2024 Quarter 1 customer satisfaction survey said they are satisfied with their CLT concessions experience. A passenger’s concessions experience at CLT is traditionally the second largest factor in their overall satisfaction rating.
Meeting Diverse Passenger Needs
Passengers traveling for different reasons – be it business, leisure, or emergencies – have varied needs. Concessions open 24 hours a day ensure that all travelers, regardless of their purpose or schedule, can access the amenities they need.
Business travelers arriving on a late-night flight might need to grab a meal before heading to a hotel or even work through the night on urgent tasks. With 24-hour concessions, they can do so with ease, helping them maintain productivity and comfort even when traveling at odd hours.
Supporting International Travel and Layovers
For international travelers, layovers can be long and taxing, especially when crossing multiple time zones. All-hours concessions can provide a welcome respite, offering food, entertainment, and relaxation options that help travelers make the most of their time in transit.
The move to more 24-hour Airport concessions is a win-win for everyone involved. Travelers benefit from the enhanced convenience and comfort, airports see increased revenue and improved customer satisfaction, and local economies thrive from the additional job creation. As air travel continues to grow and evolve, the demand for around-the-clock services will likely increase, making 24-hour airport concessions a forward-thinking strategy that caters to the needs of the modern traveler.