Summary
American Express will open a 4,641-square-foot Sidecar by Centurion Lounge in Charlotte Airport’s Concourse A in 2027, following City Council approval on March 9, 2026. The restaurant-style space restricts access to passengers with flights departing within 90 minutes and features QR code ordering — a compact complement to the existing 13,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge between Concourses D and E.
The Charlotte location will be substantially larger than the inaugural Las Vegas Sidecar, which accommodates just 33 guests. Amex committed $7.15 million to the project with a five-year lease at $200 per square foot annually, renewable for another five years.
American Express is expanding its Sidecar by Centurion Lounge concept to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, targeting the short-connection traffic that defines American Airlines‘ second-largest hub. The 4,641-square-foot facility will open in Concourse A as part of the airport’s Phase II expansion, serving premium cardholders with tight layovers who need quick refreshment rather than extended lounge time.
Charlotte’s City Council approved the lease on March 9, 2026. Amex will pay just under $1 million annually in rent with 2.5% annual increases, committing $7.15 million total to the buildout.
The Sidecar concept debuted at Las Vegas earlier in 2026 — a compact space with restaurant-style seating and mobile ordering via QR code. Charlotte’s version will be materially larger, though exact capacity hasn’t been disclosed. The 90-minute departure window distinguishes Sidecar from traditional Centurion Lounges, which allow access three hours before departure.
What the Charlotte Sidecar delivers
The new lounge occupies prime real estate in Concourse A’s expansion zone, where American Airlines operates the majority of gates. Amex already maintains a roughly 13,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge between Concourses D and E, but that facility serves long-haul and leisure travelers with time to spare. The Sidecar targets the opposite demographic: business travelers connecting through Charlotte on 60- to 90-minute layovers who need food and a seat, not a shower and workspace.
The restaurant-style format emphasizes speed. Guests order food and drinks via QR code rather than waiting at buffet lines or for table service. The Las Vegas prototype demonstrated the model’s efficiency — limited seating keeps crowding manageable, and the tight departure window naturally rotates guests out.
Construction is expected to begin in Q2 2026, with the lounge opening sometime in 2027. The timeline aligns with broader Concourse A expansion work, which includes the planned 14,000-square-foot Capital One Lounge for Venture cardholders.
| Lounge | Size | Access method | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centurion Lounge (D/E) | 13,000 sq ft | Amex Platinum/Centurion | Full buffet, 3-hour window |
| Sidecar by Centurion (A) | 4,641 sq ft | Amex Platinum/Centurion | QR ordering, 90-min window |
| Capital One Lounge (A) | 14,000 sq ft | Venture X/Venture cardholders | Bar focus, standard hours |
| Provisions by Admirals Club | Compact | AA Admirals Club members | Grab-and-go only |
Flight deals most people never see
Our AI monitors 150+ airlines for pricing anomalies that traditional search engines miss. Air Traveler Club members save $650 per trip per person on average: see how it works.
Each deal saves 40–80% vs. regular fares:
Why Charlotte’s lounge landscape needed this
Charlotte has historically ranked among the weakest major U.S. airports for premium lounge access, despite handling over 50 million passengers annually. American Airlines operates roughly 80% of flights, creating massive connection volume but limited lounge infrastructure beyond standard Admirals Clubs. The existing Centurion Lounge between Concourses D and E serves long-haul travelers well, but Concourse A — where most domestic connections occur — lacked premium options until American opened Provisions by Admirals Club in 2025.
Provisions offers grab-and-go food and drinks for Admirals Club members, addressing the quick-connection need but without seating or full service. The Sidecar fills the gap between grab-and-go and full lounge experiences, targeting premium cardholders who want a proper meal during tight layovers.
The broader Concourse A expansion will also bring a Capital One Lounge and, eventually, an American Flagship Lounge — though neither has a confirmed opening date. The Sidecar’s 2027 timeline makes it the first new premium option to actually open in Concourse A’s expansion zone.
How to use this intelligence
The Sidecar opening matters for booking decisions if you connect through Charlotte frequently on American Airlines with 60- to 90-minute layovers.
- Concourse A connections: If your inbound and outbound flights both use Concourse A gates, the Sidecar becomes the fastest premium option in 2027 — no concourse changes required, unlike the D/E Centurion Lounge.
- Card strategy: Amex Platinum holders gain a second Charlotte lounge option without needing Admirals Club membership or elite status. The 90-minute window makes this viable for connections as short as 75 minutes if you clear security quickly.
- Timing the opening: Monitor Concourse A construction progress via airport updates — if Phase II expansion delays push into 2028, adjust connection booking preferences accordingly. The Centurion Lounge between D and E remains the fallback.
- Guest access: The $50-$60 guest fee makes this expensive for families, but the QR code ordering system speeds service compared to buffet lines at the main Centurion Lounge during peak hours.
Watch: The Concourse A Phase II construction timeline will determine whether the Sidecar opens early or late 2027 — delays could push Capital One Lounge and American Flagship Lounge openings into 2028 or beyond, making the Sidecar the only new premium option for 18+ months.
FAQ
Can I access the Sidecar if my flight departs in two hours?
No. The Sidecar restricts access to passengers with flights departing within 90 minutes. If your departure is more than 90 minutes away, use the main Centurion Lounge between Concourses D and E, which allows access up to three hours before departure.
Will the Charlotte Sidecar have the same capacity limits as Las Vegas?
Likely not. The Charlotte location is 4,641 square feet compared to the Las Vegas Sidecar’s estimated 1,500 square feet (based on its 33-guest capacity). Expect higher capacity, but Amex hasn’t disclosed exact numbers. Real-time availability will show in the Amex app after opening.
Does the Sidecar replace the existing Centurion Lounge in Charlotte?
No. The existing 13,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge between Concourses D and E remains open. The Sidecar is an additional facility in Concourse A, designed for quick connections rather than extended lounge time.
Read more
