Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Continent: North America

Country: United States

Region: North Carolina

Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Location	Raleigh, North Carolina
IATA code	RDU
ICAO code	KRDU
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.rdu.com/
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower
Ground
Clearance
Approach
ATIS

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located nine miles (14.5 km) northwest of the town of Morrisville in suburban Wake County, North Carolina, midway between the cities of Raleigh and Durham. The airport covers 4,929 acres (1,995 ha) and operates three runways, providing direct service to 44 domestic and international destinations on nearly 500 daily flights. In 2007, over 10 million passengers traveled through the airport.

Official Spotting Locations

Observation Park

Southwest B737-7H4 taking off on 23R, from the observation park

Observation Park

The airport authority operates an official observation park off of International Drive, located near the Air Traffic Control Tower and Park and Ride 2. The park included an elevated, covered viewing platform with audio from the control tower. There are benches located on the viewing platform, and benches and picnic tables in the vicinity along with a small playground. Parking at the park is free, and there are public restrooms on site. The observation park offers views of 5L/23R, the longest runway at the airport. The overall field of view is good, with a small obstruction caused by a building between the park and the tarmac.

General Aviation Terminal

Canadair CL-600-2B16, from the general aviation observation area

Another public viewing area is the second level of the general aviation terminal, just a short walk behind the observation park. This viewing area includes tables and chairs indoors in front of floor to ceiling windows, and a small outdoor deck. Also located here is Crosswinds Cafe, open M-F, 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Sat./Sun., 6:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. This area offers unobstructed views of the general aviation ramp and runway 5R/23L.

Locations to Avoid

Parking or waiting on the airport roadway shoulders is prohibited.

Regular Traffic

The majority of traffic to and from the airport includes the Boeing 737, Airbus A319, McDowell-Douglas MD-80, and regional jets such as the Canadair/Bombardier and Embraer. Other traffic includes Airbus A300 cargo, Boeing 757 & 717, De Havaland Dash 8, McDowell-Douglas DC-9, and occasionally a Boeing widebody from London-Heathrow. Raleigh-Durham International is served by the following airlines and their connection/express affiliates:

Passenger

• Air Canada Jazz
• AirTran Airways
• American Airlines/Connection/Eagle
• Continental Airlines/Connection/Express
• Delta Air Lines/Connection
• ExpressJet Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Midwest Connect
• Northwest Airlines/Airlink
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines/Express
• US Airways/Express

Cargo

• ABX Air (DHL)
• BAX Global
• Capital Cargo
• FedEx Express
• Ram Air Freight
• UPS Airlines