Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about to get the largest lounge in American Airlines' entire network. The carrier has announced plans for a sprawling new Admirals Club inside the airport's main atrium, and at more than 40,000 square feet, it will outsize even the huge space American is currently building at its Dallas Fort Worth home base.

The need is real. Charlotte is American's second-busiest hub, yet its two existing Admirals Clubs there are dated and frequently overcrowded. The new club, going in on the mezzanine level of the atrium travellers pass right after security, will bring modern touches the current spaces lack: shower suites, multiple bars and dedicated seating areas for working or winding down. AA chief customer officer Heather Garboden framed the goal simply as giving customers more room to relax, recharge and work.

Location-wise, it's a smart pick. The spot sits within easy reach of the A, B and C concourses, with a reasonable walk from D. Only the E-gates — where many of American's regional flights depart — will require a longer trek. Construction starts later this year, though no opening date has been given, and the two existing clubs will stay open throughout.

This is part of a much bigger lounge build-out at CLT. American previously outlined plans for a higher-tier Flagship Lounge in Charlotte, and it has already opened a compact grab-and-go concept called Provisions by Admirals Club on the A concourse. Meanwhile, a Capital One Lounge and a second American Express lounge are on the way, and Delta opened a new Sky Club at the airport less than two years ago. Within a few years, Charlotte could rank among the best-equipped lounge airports in the country.

For travellers, the practical upshot is straightforward: if you connect through Charlotte — and millions do, given American's dominance there — waiting out a layover is about to get a lot more comfortable. Frequent flyers with Admirals Club access, whether through status, membership or the right credit card, should see shorter waits and better facilities. And cardholders eyeing premium options will soon have Flagship, Capital One and Amex choices in the same terminal. No opening dates yet for most of these, so keep an eye on announcements if a Charlotte connection is in your plans.

Story via The Points Guy.