Raleigh-Durham International Airport (IATA: RDU, ICAO: KRDU) is the primary air gateway for North Carolina’s Research Triangle region, a major center for technology, education, and life sciences. Serving the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and their surrounding communities, the airport is a critical piece of infrastructure connecting the region's dynamic economy to national and global destinations.
- Improved Food & Beverage: A major highlight is the introduction of new, locally-based restaurants and bars in Terminal 2, reflecting the vibrant Triangle region and elevating the dining experience. More establishments are scheduled to open through late 2025.
- Overall Passenger Satisfaction: RDU consistently ranks high in satisfaction surveys, reflecting a positive general sentiment among travelers.
- Expanded International Routes: The airport has significantly increased its international flight options with new nonstop services to destinations like Frankfurt, Panama City, Mexico City, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Vancouver, and Dublin.
- Cleanliness and Facilities: Many travelers find the airport to be clean, airy, and well-designed. There are ongoing infrastructure improvements and expansions to Terminal 2, including ticketing, baggage claim, security, and international arrivals.
- Convenient Amenities: Travelers appreciate the availability of free Wi-Fi, numerous mobile charging stations with USB ports and outlets, and free water refill stations both airside and landside.
- TSA Staff Conduct: A recurring complaint centers on the rudeness and unprofessionalism of some TSA agents, with instances of agents yelling at or berating passengers.
- Security Wait Times (Peak Hours): While typically under 30 minutes, security wait times can extend to 45 minutes or more during peak travel times, such as early mornings, late afternoons, major holidays, and Monday mornings, especially for those without expedited screening.
- Crowding and Seating: With record passenger traffic, crowding has become an issue, leading to problems with available seating, especially limited comfortable options on the "landside" for those with overnight layovers.
Bottom line: Raleigh-Durham International Airport is highly regarded by travelers, demonstrating strong positive momentum with significant investments in dining and new flight routes. While managing growing passenger numbers presents challenges like occasional crowding and security wait times, and some issues with TSA staff persist, RDU is actively enhancing its facilities and services to maintain a world-class travel experience.
New & changed departures
4 changes to RDU's schedule in the last 90 days.
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Track all changesRoutes from RDU
182 nonstop destinations · 64 airlines.
Airlines at RDU
64 carriers operate scheduled departures.
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Airport routes
Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) offers 377 flight routes operated by 64 airlines. Major carriers include Breeze Airways, Frontier, Southwest and others. Popular destinations from Raleigh/Durham include Hartsfield-Jackson Intl, LaGuardia, John F Kennedy Intl, Reagan National, Charlotte/Douglas Intl.
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Common questions about RDU
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from RDU?
Raleigh Durham International Airport has 377 scheduled routes to 182 destinations in 15 countries, operated by 64 airlines.
Which airlines fly from Raleigh Durham International Airport?
64 carriers operate scheduled departures, including Breeze Airways, Frontier, Southwest.
Where is Raleigh Durham International Airport located?
Raleigh Durham International Airport is located in Raleigh/Durham, US, at an elevation of 435 ft. Its IATA code is RDU and ICAO code is KRDU.