Fly Confident. Fly RDU.

RDU is taking action by adding new measures to protect the health and safety of everyone who visits the airport. The new safety measures comply with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health entities. Click here to download a PDF that summarizes RDU’s response to the global health pandemic.

Airport Actions

Face Coverings

RDU visitors and employees are no longer required to wear a mask at the airport. The TSA will no longer enforce the security directive that requires airport guests and employees to wear masks. Travelers should check directly with their airline to determine mask requirements aboard the aircraft.

Guest Experience

RDU’s Guest Experience Department makes sure the airport continues to meet stringent health guidelines and requirements. Team members are located throughout the terminals to assist with line management, refill hand sanitizing stations and provide oversight of RDU’s strict cleaning and disinfecting regimen. Learn more about how our team is keeping your travel experience safe and healthy.

Adapting Terminals

Travelers can expect to see a number of changes at RDU that meet new public health guidelines and provide safety assurances to everyone at the airport.

Digital and physical signage is located throughout campus to promote public health best practices that help prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19. Guests will see signage at the terminal entryways, waiting areas, ticketing areas and the TSA checkpoint.

Terminal monitors and intercom announcements remind guests of public health best practices to reduce the spread of germs and keep you safe while traveling.

Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting

RDU’s janitorial staff are more frequently cleaning and disinfecting ParkRDU shuttle buses, common areas and high touch surfaces with products proven effective against viruses including COVID-19. The ticketing areas, security checkpoints, bathrooms, waiting areas near the gates and high-touch surfaces such as ticket counters, kiosks, hand rails and door knobs are cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Sanitizer Stations 

Touchless hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the terminals with more on the way.  Additionally, until further notice, TSA is allowing passengers to bring hand sanitizer up to 12oz in carry-on bags. Larger containers will most likely need to be screened separately so please plan accordingly.

Sanitizer Units on Buses 

All ParkRDU shuttle buses are equipped with hand sanitizing stations located near the front doors. When remote lots reopen and the shuttle buses are back in service, each bus will be disinfected every four hours and drivers will limit the number of people on board to allow riders to maintain distance while in transit.

Sneeze Guards 

Sneeze guards are installed at the terminal ticket counters, information desks, gate counters and baggage service offices.

Traveler and Airline Information

Airlines are implementing new safety measures to keep people healthy when they fly. Passengers currently do not have to complete a health screening or have their temperature checked when flying through RDU. Airport workers are required to self-monitor and stay home if they have symptoms or a fever, and many of our business partners require the same of their employees.

Airlines are also increasing their cleaning procedures and encouraging passengers to follow public health best practices such as washing your hands frequently.

Visit the RDU Travel Updates: Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage to learn the steps airlines are taking to protect passenger health.

Effective Jan. 26, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all airline passengers flying into the U.S. to provide a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight. The CDC describes the new federal requirement as a critical step toward slowing the introduction and spread of COVID-19.

Passengers will be required to:

  • Get a viral test within three days of their flight to the U.S.
  • Provide written documentation of their lab test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19

Airlines will be responsible for confirming a negative test result or documentation of recovery prior to boarding. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.All air passengers traveling to the U.S. must provide the negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery even if they have received the vaccine or tested positive for antibodies.

International Air Travel Policy

Beginning on Nov. 8, foreign nationals flying to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and must show proof of vaccination prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane. Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement for foreign national travelers.

Fully vaccinated travelers will still need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days before departing to the U.S. Unvaccinated travelers returning to the United States will need to test negative within one day of departure and will be required to test again after they arrive.

Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test. If they are not fully vaccinated and are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, they can test three days prior to departure. Children under two years of age are exempt from this requirement.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is expected to issue a contact tracing order that requires airlines to collect current information from each U.S.-bound traveler, including their phone number and email address. This will allow CDC and state and local public health officials to follow up with inbound travelers and those around them if someone has potentially been exposed to COVID-19.

More information can be found at the CDC website for International Travel and at flyhealthy.gov.

Click the links below to visit individual airline websites for COVID-19 travel information:

Coordinating with Health Partners

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority encourages guests to follow guidance from public health officials to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19 and avoid spreading germs.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance

Visit the CDC COVID-19 webpage for important updates and guidance about how to protect yourself and what to do if you are sick.

Wear, Wait, Wash.

The N.C. health department suggests practicing the three Ws when in public: Wear, Wait, Wash.

  • Wear a cloth face covering if you will be around other people.
  • Wait six feet apart. Avoid close contact with others.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Visit the N.C. DHHS COVID-19 page for additional information and resources.

What to Expect When You Visit RDU

You will notice many changes when you visit the airport. Here’s what you can expect the next time you fly through RDU.

Parking

Payment collection is now automated. Cash is no longer accepted at ParkRDU facilities. Learn more here.

Touch-free Parking

ParkRDU offers “contactless” technology that allows guests to pay for parking without interacting with a cashier. Guests should book parking at least 24 hours in advance using RDU’s online booking system. The entrance gate opens with a QR code; and a license plate reader automatically opens the gate at exit. There are also credit card scanners at every entry and exit lane that allow guests to pay with mobile apps, while pay-on-foot kiosks allow guests to pay with their smart phones and watches. Guests may choose to park without booking parking online.

Visit the RDU Parking Webpage for additional information and the latest updates.

Concessions 

Concessionaires in the terminals have implemented new measures to make shopping and dining safe and convenient, including:

  • Sneeze guards at point(s) of sale
  • Additional employee health measures
  • Physical distancing signage and queuing
  • Frequent cleaning of touch points
  • Disposable or digital menus
  • Contactless payment at select locations

Many of the terminal shops and dining options have modified their hours or closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the current list of concession options in the terminals.

Please note: hours for shops and dining may vary until further notice.

Ground Transportation

There are many ways to get to and from the airport. Click on the ground transportation service listed below to learn about operating hours, location and contact information. Look for COVID-19 related updates to service status and modified hours of operation at the top of the page.

To learn more about how the global health pandemic is impacting RDU and air travel, visit RDU’s Travel Updates: Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage. We also encourage you to subscribe to the RDU Insider monthly e-newsletter.