Raleigh-Durham Airport: A Hub Of Nonstop Action

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the second-largest airport in North Carolina. In 2024, the airport served a record 15.5 million passengers, with the busiest month being July. The airport has two terminals with a total of 45 gates and more than 11,000 parking spaces. Summer is the busiest time of year, with passengers reporting long lines for security and coffee. The airport has ambitious expansion plans to keep up with demand, including increasing the number of gates and expanding the customs and border patrol centre.

Passenger numbers

Raleigh–Durham International Airport is the second-largest airport in North Carolina. In 2024, the airport served a record 15.5 million passengers, breaking the previous year's record of 14.5 million. In the first four months of 2010, 2.7 million passengers travelled through the airport, and the airport experienced growth in the early 2010s with the addition of new services by legacy and low-cost carriers.

Summer is the busiest time of year at Raleigh-Durham, with more than 1.35 million passengers passing through each month in 2024, peaking in July. The airport has ambitious expansion plans to keep up with demand, including the addition of new gates and the expansion of its customs and border patrol centre to accommodate the increase in international flights.

The airport has two terminals with a total of 45 gates, and passengers moving between them can take a shuttle bus or a moving walkway through the covered parking decks. The parking facilities include parking decks with over 11,000 spaces and several surface lots with a total of 7,500 spaces. However, parking can be limited during peak times, and travellers are advised to plan ahead.

To manage the crowds during the busy summer season, passengers are advised to arrive early and allow extra time for potential delays. It is recommended to arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Additionally, passengers can use the RESERVE service to book a time in the airport security line in advance.

Parking availability

Parking is available at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The airport no longer accepts cash payments; all major credit cards are accepted at drive-up pay stations and pay-on-foot self-service kiosks. Travellers without cards can use one of the ReadySTATION® kiosks in Terminal 1.

By going cashless, the airport aims to provide a smoother ParkRDU experience with fewer touchpoints for safe and smart travel. This payment method also reduces wait times, making it easy to exit through the pay stations. You can save even more time by booking your parking space in advance online.

The airport's website recommends allowing extra time during peak flying times, which are early morning, mid-day, and evening hours. Most passengers wait less than 30 minutes for security checkpoint screening, but queues can be longer during these peak hours.

If you are a registered TSA Pre✓® customer, you can take advantage of expedited security screening at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Food and beverage services

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is extremely busy during the summer, with July being the peak month. The airport is undergoing a $3 billion construction project to accommodate the region's growth and handle the high volume of passengers.

Regarding food and beverage services, the airport offers a diverse range of options to meet different preferences and needs. From sit-down restaurants to grab-and-go options, passengers can choose between local favourites and national brands. The airport prioritises the use of fresh, local produce and also offers healthy dining choices. All menu items can be packaged to-go, allowing passengers to bring their meals to the gate or onto the plane.

Various eateries are available, including La Farm Bakery and Cafe, which is quite popular among passengers. Other options include Black & White Coffee Roasters, Starbucks, Whisky River, and BurgerFi, among others. The airport also features a United Club in Terminal 2, which provides snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi access.

While the airport is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with several eateries remaining closed, RDU expects to introduce a dozen bars, restaurants, and coffee shops by the end of the year. Most of these new additions will be in Terminal 2, which serves the majority of passengers.

To navigate the food and beverage options efficiently, passengers can utilise digital boards located just beyond security, which list all the available eateries. It is recommended to arrive at the airport early, especially during peak seasons like summer, to allow adequate time for locating desired dining options and navigating potential crowds.

Peak times

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the second-largest airport in North Carolina. In 2024, it served a record 15.5 million passengers, breaking the previous year's record of 14.5 million. The busiest times at RDU are during the early morning, midday, and evening hours. Summer is the airport's busiest season, with more than 1.35 million passengers passing through each month in 2023, peaking in July.

To avoid long wait times during peak hours, passengers can use the RESERVE service to book a spot in the airport security line. Most passengers wait less than 30 minutes for security checkpoint screening, but queues can be longer during peak times. The TSA also offers expedited security screening for registered TSA Pre✓® customers.

Parking at RDU can also be challenging during peak times. While the airport has more than 11,000 spaces in the parking decks and surface lots, and an additional 7,500 spaces in three remote lots, the parking decks sometimes reach capacity. To address this, RDU is nearly tripling the size of Park Economy 3, its largest remote lot.

Food and beverage options at RDU are limited, as several eateries that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic have not yet reopened. Lines for coffee in the morning can be especially long, so passengers are advised to arrive early to allow for extra time.

To manage peak demand, RDU has expansion plans for its terminals and customs and border patrol center to accommodate the increase in international flights. The airport's Vision2040 plan proposes adding 4, 7, 12, or 15 gates to Terminal 1, which currently has nine gates.

Airport expansion

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the second-largest airport in North Carolina. The airport has been serving an increasing number of passengers over the years, with 15.5 million passengers in 2024, breaking its previous record of 14.5 million in 2023. Summer is the busiest season at the airport, with more than 1.35 million passengers passing through each month. To accommodate this growing demand, the airport has planned several expansions, including terminal expansions and the expansion of its customs and border patrol center.

The airport's history of expansion dates back to its early years. The original Raleigh Municipal Airport, opened in 1929, was quickly outgrown. As a result, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Raleigh–Durham Aeronautical Authority in 1939 to construct a larger airport. The new Raleigh-Durham Airport opened on May 1, 1943, with flights by Eastern Airlines. Over time, the airport continued to expand, with Capital Airlines joining Eastern at RDU in 1946 and Piedmont Airlines arriving in 1948. By the April 1957 Official Airline Guide, 36 departures were listed per day.

In 2010, RDU experienced a rebound in passenger traffic, ending a decline observed in the previous two years. This recovery led to airlines introducing new services, with both legacy and low-cost carriers increasing their presence at the airport. Delta Air Lines maintained its focus city operation at RDU, and in 2022, Avelo Airlines announced the establishment of an operating base at Raleigh-Durham, commencing operations in February 2023.

To cater to the increasing passenger numbers and maintain its competitiveness, Raleigh-Durham International Airport has embarked on several expansion projects. Firstly, the airport is addressing parking limitations by nearly tripling the size of Park Economy 3, located off Aviation Parkway and Interstate 40. While this expansion enhances remote parking options, it is important to note that the parking decks near Terminal 2 will undergo demolition and replacement, resulting in the temporary loss of approximately 2,500 spaces.

Another critical aspect of the airport's expansion plan is enhancing its terminal capacity. The Airport Authority Board approved an agreement in June 2023 to advance the planning process for Terminal 1 expansion. The Vision2040 plan proposes the addition of 4, 7, 12, or 15 gates to accommodate future growth. This expansion is particularly relevant given the increasing number of airlines using Terminal 1, including Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, and Southwest Airlines, among others.

In addition to terminal expansions, Raleigh-Durham International Airport recognizes the importance of improving the overall airport experience. To achieve this, the airport is focusing on enhancing food and beverage options. Several new eateries are expected to open by the end of the year, addressing the limitations caused by closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. These expansions and improvements aim to provide passengers with a more efficient and enjoyable travel experience while also accommodating the increasing demand for air travel in the region.

Frequently asked questions