RDU Named Top 5 Large Airport in North America by J.D. Power:
RDU set a single-day record for passenger traffic over Labor Day weekend. More than 56,100 travelers flew through the airport on Friday, Sept. 1, with TSA reporting it was busiest day on record at RDU. The airport served 226,678 passengers from Thursday, Aug. 31 – Monday, Sept. 4 and a total of 1,328,966 passengers in August.
“RDU continues to break passenger traffic records in 2023 with a boost from holiday travelers,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The increased demand underscores the importance of the airport’s nearly $3 billion Vision 2040 growth plan, including the replacement of our primary runway.”
Top Five Airport: RDU was named a Top Five Large Airport in North America in the 2023 J.D. Power airport satisfaction study. The study measured overall traveler satisfaction based on six factors: terminal facilities, airport arrival and departure, baggage claim, security check, check-in and baggage check and food, beverage and retail. The J.D. Power study is based on surveys from travelers who evaluated their round-trip experience from August 2022 – July 2023. This is the third consecutive year RDU has ranked in the J.D. Power Top Five.
Beyu Caffe: Travelers flying through RDU have new coffee and dining options to choose from. Durham-based Beyu Caffé is now open in both terminals — in Terminal 1 near ticketing and baggage claim and in Terminal 2 pre-security on the ticketing level. A grand opening was held Thursday morning to celebrate the newest addition to RDU’s food and beverage lineup. Pre-security coffee shops were one of the most requested options from airport guests. Stop by one of the new locations next time you fly for a fresh cup of coffee or a pastry on the go.
Lonerider: RDU welcomed another new and exciting dining option on Thursday. Lonerider is now open in Terminal 2, at Gate C7. The Raleigh-based brewery is a longtime favorite among Triangle craft beer connoisseurs. Airport guests will be able to choose from a wide assortment of breakfast options, sandwiches, salads, snack boxes and sweet treats. Travelers can also enjoy Lonerider’s great selection of spirits, wine, ciders and craft beers — including the new Boots Up Ale, made exclusively for RDU.
Lufthansa Announcement: RDU will add an eighth international destination in June when Lufthansa begins nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany. Frankfurt is a hub for Lufthansa Group, the largest airline group in Europe, which allows passengers to make convenient connections throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. The flight will operate five days a week on an A330-300. The route will be RDU’s fourth transatlantic flight, along with Reykjavik, London and Paris.
Plane Pull: The Airport Authority is proud to sponsor the Plane Pull benefiting Special Olympics North Carolina again this year. On Oct. 21, teams will test their strength and speed as they compete to be the fastest to pull a plane 25 feet. This year, teams of seven must raise $1,000 to compete. Special Olympics North Carolina is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world. Fundraising events like the Plane Pull help athletes participate at no cost to them. You can learn more about the event and sign up at ncplanepull.com.