Charleston international airport international boulevard north charleston sc

The Charleston International Airport has extended the closure of its airfield following Hurricane Ian.

Published: Sep. 30, 2022 at 9:22 AM EDT|Updated: Oct. 1, 2022 at 10:30 AM EDT

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston International Airport has reopened after an extended closure of its airfield following Hurricane Ian.

The airport, which was closed most of Friday, was originally scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. Saturday, but that was extended until around 10:30 a.m., according to airport spokesperson Spencer Pryor.

The airport previously announced the airfield would close once wind speeds reached 35 knots.

Airport Maps & Terminal Guide

Getting Around the Airport

The terminal building structure at Charleston Airport includes two concourses: Concourse A and B. The terminal is served by nine airlines: Alaska, American, Allegiant, British, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, and United. The airport Arrivals and Departures are on the same level, with Arrivals on the west and Departures on the right end of the terminal building structure of the CHS airport.

Main Terminal

To the right of the main entrance is the Departures areas housing the airline ticket counters and a security checkpoint providing access to the two airport Concourses.

To the left of the main entrance is the Arrivals area housing the baggage claim, hospitality counter, and rental car pavilion. Arriving passengers use the exit lane in the Central Marketplace near the food court, then walk through an automated security door, and enter the Arrivals Hall, with a short walk to the baggage claim & customs check.

The Central Hall can be reached from the center entrance door and from both, Arrivals or Departures, areas. This area offers an Information desk, ATM, and a Central Marketplace.

Services in the main terminal include a Nursing Mothers’ Room between baggage claim carousels 2 and 3 and two Animal Relief Areas outside at each end of the terminal building.

Concourse A

Concourse A lies to the west of the terminal and has five gates labeled gate A1-A5.

Services included inside the concourse are as follows: Animal Relief Areas at Gate A2 and Free WiFi.

To get better oriented, see the Charleston Airport Concourse A Map (CHS Map).

Concourse B

Concourse B lies to the east of the terminal and has ten gates labeled gate B1-B10.

Services included inside the concourse are as follows: Nursing Mothers’ Room and Free WiFi.

To get better oriented, see the Charleston Airport Concourse B Map (CHS Map).

Food, Shops & Amenities

There are many options for shopping and dining around CHS airport. Some notable shops and restaurants include Charleston Beer Works and Hudson Stores in Concourse A; and DeSano Pizza Bakery, Dunkin' Donuts, and Samuel Adams Brewhouse in Concourse B. There are also food-serving kiosks operated by Mama Chef Cuban Cafe, King Street Cookies, and LoKal Coffee & Co.

Security Checkpoints

The security checkpoints at CHS airport are monitored by the Federal TSA - Transportation Security Administration. Only passengers possessing tickets are allowed to proceed beyond any of the security checkpoints. All security checkpoints provide access to the concourses and airplane gates.

The hours and wait times estimates for each security checkpoint can be found on the Charleston Airport Security Wait Times Page.

Airline Lounges

There is one airline lounge operating at the main terminal, called ‘The Club.’ It can cater to a maximum of 83 customers at a time and offers a range of services for their comfort. This is a premium membership-only club which provides access via the Priority Pass membership program.

Terminal Tips

Arrive 90 minutes before flight time in case of domestic flights, and two hours before flight time in case of international flights.
Passenger boarding takes 30-45 minutes during normal hours
Online check-ins are assumed to be taking place at the boarding gate
In case of the delayed flights, arrive at the airport before the checkpoint is closed to ensure flights are not missed
For lost/found items, please note:
- All items are kept safe by the CCAA Police Department (CCAAPD). These include items left at the TSA security checkpoint
- You can also call the airport lost and found at 843.767.7007 or 843.767.7070
- Lost items found anywhere in the airport can be submitted at the Guest Services Specialists-

Airport Overview

Charleston International Airport is a joint civil-military airport in South Carolina. It is operated by the Charleston County Aviation Authority under a joint-use agreement with Joint Base Charleston.

CHS airport is located in North Charleston and is approximately 12 miles (19 km) northwest of downtown Charleston.

Airport Stats & Facts

Charleston Airport is South Carolina's largest and busiest airport.
In 2018, the airport served nearly 4.5 million passengers in its busiest year on record.
The airport consists of 4 general areas: the military area to the west, the airline terminal to the south, the general aviation area to the east, and the Boeing assembly area further to the south.

Airport Traveling Tips

Travelers are recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before scheduled departure to allow enough time to park, check-in, and go through the security procedure.
When checking in online, your airline may assume you have already arrived at the airport and that you are at your gate waiting to board your flight.
Make sure to have your photo identification document and pack carry-on luggage in a suitable manner to make your journey hassle-free.
Please have a look at the CHS Airport map, before heading to the airport for a flight.

Passenger Pickup and Drop-off

Passengers can be dropped off outside the terminal from where they’ve to board a flight.
For pickup, visitors can use the free cell phone lot located on the right-side International Blvd. just yards before reaching the main terminal drop-off area, until the passenger is not ready to be picked up.
If you decide to move through the curbside, make sure the vehicle is never left unattended.

Flight Status

For arriving flights: Arrival flight status provides the arrival times, gate information, delays, and time to land for the Charleston Airport.
For departing flights: Departing flight status lists scheduled vs actual departure, gate information, map tracking, and flight delays.
To get the best fares, book a flight at CHS.

Airport Terminals

The current airline terminal at Charleston Airport completed a three-year, $200 million redevelopment project in 2016 which added five gates and significantly renovated the interior appearance of the facility.

There are 2 Concourses - Concourse A and Concourse B.

The departures and arrivals are located on the same floor, with the departure area to the east end of the terminal and the arrival area to the west end.

To see the terminal location, and for more information, please refer to the CHS Terminal Map here.

Airlines Served

Charleston Airport serves several airlines including United Express, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Eagle, Alaska Airlines, and more.

View the full list of airlines served at CHS Airport here.

Airport Parking

A variety of parking options are available at Charleston Airport. These include:

Hourly Parking

Hourly parking deck has two floors of covered parking with an open-air third floor. From the hourly deck, passengers are only a short walk away from boarding their airplanes.

Rates:

$1 per 20 minutes

$15 per Day

$15 Lost ticket fee (min. per day)

Economy Lot A

It is located directly behind the hourly parking deck and may be accessed by traversing the garage and exiting on the backside, on the first floor.

Rates:

$1 per 20 minutes

$10 per Day

$10 Lost ticket fee (min. per day)

Ground Transport

Passengers have a variety of ground transportation options after arriving at Charleston Airport. From rental cars to buses to taxis, and more, they can choose according to their convenience and requirements.

Rental Cars

The rental car companies operating from Charleston International Airport's Rental Car Pavilion, are located at the end of the terminal near Baggage Claim. Alamo, Avis, Dollar, Budget, are some of the well-known providers.

Taxis

Taxi service is available in the center median outside baggage claim. There is a $15 minimum charge for all taxi services departing from the CHS airport.

Public Transport

Scheduled Bus Service available in the Charleston area is offered through the Charleston Area Regional Authority, CARTA. Its stop is a well-lit, covered shelter that is located on the outside curb just beyond the Baggage Claim end of the terminal.

Amenities & Services

For visitors to have a great stay, Charleston Airport provides plenty of amenities and services including:

Store, gift shops, and local souvenir shops.
Restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Shoeshine stations, and massage bars.
Free Wi-Fi internet throughout the airport.
Multiple art installations and exhibits on display.
Vending machines, and banks/ATMs.

Contact Information

Address: 5500 International Blvd, N Charleston, SC 29418-6911, USA

Website: https://www.iflychs.com

Phone: (843) 767 7000

Charleston Airport: A Brief History Timeline

In 1928, the Charleston Airport Corporation was founded and purchased 700 acres of land.
Within ten years, three runways were paved and outfitted with lighting for nighttime operations.
In 1949, a new passenger terminal was built.
In 1952, the City of Charleston and the United States Air Force reached an agreement on control of the base and the runways - an arrangement that has been renegotiated over time and that continues to this day.
In the 1980s, the current terminal on the south end of the airport was built.
In October 2009, Boeing announced that it would build a major plant on 265 acres at the airport.
Since 2015, a consolidated TSA security checkpoint is utilized for both concourses.
In October 2018, British Airways announced the commencement of a direct route from London Heathrow for the summer season, flying twice weekly which commenced in April 2019.

Is CHS a big airport?

A joint civil-military venture serving approximately 4.5 million passengers annually, Charleston International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the state of South Carolina.

How much does it cost to park at Charleston International Airport?

As of 2020, there are two options for parking at Charleston International. The rates for parking in the Hourly Parking Deck are $3/hour or $21/day. The rates at Economy Lots A & B are $5/hour and $11/day. The maximum stay is 30 days at the Economy Lots.