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 | 119.3 |
| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | 123.80 |
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
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
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
- 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