Raleigh-Durham International Airport Guide

Raleigh-Durham International Airport sits on 5,000 acres in unincorporated Wake County, positioned between Raleigh and Durham in North Carolina's Research Triangle. The airport opened in 1943 and has grown steadily alongside the region's technology and research sector, reaching 15.5 million passengers in 2024 — a record at the time. Delta Air Lines holds the largest market share, while Breeze Airways serves the most destinations.

RDU offers nonstop service to around 85 destinations, including 12 international routes across nine countries. International service includes flights to Europe with Aer Lingus, Air France, Icelandair, and Lufthansa, plus connections to Canada, Mexico, and Central America. The airport is operated by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority and is undergoing a long-term expansion program called Transform RDU.

Three active runways support current operations, with a fourth under construction and expected to open in 2029. The airport sits roughly 22 km northwest of downtown Raleigh and 21 km east of downtown Durham.