New restaurant provides gathering place for aviation enthusiasts

RDU Airport, NC – Crosswinds Cafe opens today in Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s new general aviation terminal. While dining on specialty sandwiches and blue-plate specials, aviation enthusiasts will enjoy a 180-degree view of one of RDU’s runways and the many aircraft that take off and land at the airport everyday.

The aviation-themed restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and will feature soups, salads, sandwiches and daily specials. The restaurant will also offer specialty sandwiches, including “The Tug,” named for the equipment used to pull planes from one location to another.

The general aviation terminal is constructed of 450 glass panels, giving customers a front row seat to aircraft operations.

Crosswinds Cafe will open for business at noon today and will begin regular hours of operation tomorrow. The restaurant’s hours are Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Crosswinds is located in the airport’s new general aviation terminal on East International Drive near the Air Traffic Control Tower.

The restaurant will be the first service to be offered in the new terminal, which is the centerpiece of the airport’s general aviation redevelopment program. Later this month, the airport will begin offering a variety of services for general aviation pilots, crews and passengers. Services will include pilot snooze rooms and lounge, conference rooms and offices. The terminal is open to the public and will be available for group rentals.

To get to Crosswinds Cafe from I-40, follow signs to the airport terminals. Drive past Terminal A and turn right onto W. International Drive. Follow signs to General Aviation. Public parking is located adjacent to the general aviation terminal.

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