RDU offers 48 nonstop destinations. | Photo courtesy of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
Yesterday, Raleigh Durham International Airport announced a new airline + international destination, connecting the Triangle to Panama City via Copa Airlines. Copa Airlines will be RDU’s 18th airline and Panama City will be its 10th international destination. Service begins in June 2024.
Before you start packing your bags to Panama or another of RDU’s 60 nonstop destinations, learn everything to know with our handy guide to the US’s fastest growing airport. You’re gonna want to save this for later.
Nonstop flights
Raleigh offers 60 nonstop destinations — 41 domestic that fly to five US regions, plus eight international flights to seven countries. Plus, read up on flights coming soon to RDU, including new international routes.
Food and drink
RDU is a hub of eateries with 15+ restaurants, bars, and coffee shops for fliers to dine before or between flights, like:
Beyu Caffé | Terminal 1 and 2 | Menu highlights: Coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and grab-and-go snacks
Char-Grill | Terminal 1, Gate A5 | Menu highlights: Burgers, shakes, fries, and breakfast sandwiches.
La Farm Bakery Café | Terminal 2 | Menu highlights: Coffee, pastries, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Coming soon: Crawford’s Genuine | Terminal 2 | Menu highlights: High-end cuisine, seafood, and local chef-crafted bites.
Current airport updates
RDU is taking off with its Vision 2040 Master Plan — a long-term and flexible outline of the airport’s plans to grow. The 25-year vision (which was delayed by COVID-19) includes projects like replacing RDU’s primary runway and adding new gates and amenities to Terminal 2 as part of the Landside Expansion Plan.
The expansion plan includes extending the airport’s signature Terminal 2 building on both ends to accommodate more ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage carousels in addition to improvements to lobby areas, retail spaces, and roadways. RDU’s new runway has already begun construction and is anticipated to be completed in 2028.
Bonus: Get lower fares by making a free account on Going. Add RDU to your notification list (you can add up to five airports on the free plan), and you’ll get emailed when flights are 40-90% cheaper than usual.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vancouver Canucks | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $25-$285 | The Canes will face off against the Canucks, who boast first place in their division.
Beer & Banjos | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6:30-9 p.m. | The Raleigh Times Bar, 14 E. Hargett St., Raleigh | Free | Head on over to the upstairs bar and listen to an all-star bluegrass show.
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Ask the Chefs! Pro Hacks for the Home Cook | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Wake County Public Libraries, Virtual | Free | Join seasoned chefs to learn helpful tips + get your burning questions answered.
Thursday, Feb. 8
Valentine Sweet Art opening reception | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | URSIPANY boutique & art gallery, 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh | Free | Local artists tackle the heart and love in this V-Day themed gallery.
Raleigh Little Theatre presents: “Nate The Great” | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Raleigh Little Theater, 301 Pogue St., Raleigh | $13-$18 | Help solve this musical mystery that celebrates art, friendship, and creative thinking.
Friday, Feb. 9
Niko Moon | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh | $30-$90 | This Nashville artist has written songs for some of the greats — watch him perform his own hits.
ONEderland Birthday Bash | Friday, Feb. 9 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Sports & Social Cary, 301 Fenton Gateway Dr., Cary | $10-$20 | Celebrate one year of Sports & Social + enjoy party favors, cake, and photo ops while celebrating the sports bar’s first down.
The Wolfpack women’s basketball team isn’t just hitting threes on the court, it’s also hitting threes in the AP Poll — literally. NC State climbed to No. 3 after defeating UNC. Don’t miss Thursday’s game against Virginia Tech, one of the few teams that bested NC State this season.
Eat
Support local Black-owned businesses with this list from The News & Observer. You might recognize the James Beard Award-winning Ricky Moore of Saltbox in Durham, Black & White Coffee Roasters, Brookside Bodega, and Longleaf Swine — and make time to visit these places all year round, not just during Black History Month.
Try This
Beloved downtown bar Kings will be open seven days a week starting Monday, Feb. 26, including nights without live local music. This watering hole is now owned by Ajja coheads Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler, and the bar anticipates community talks, movie nights, and more.
Ranked
Raleigh and Cary jointly ranked as the No. 1 metro for first-time homebuyers in the US. According to Consumer Affairs, the 919 ranks No. 2 for quality of life — read what else makes the Triangle a great place for young homeowners.
Finance
If you’ve been dreaming of a “one-card wallet,” it’s time to wake up and get your hands on this credit card. Not only does it offer 0% APR into 2025, but cardholders can also earn up to 5% cash back — with no annual fee to boot.*
Travel
A friendly reminderto book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*
The Buy
The Buy 2.06.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
This set of six colored wine glasses, which remind us of Estelle stemware, only more affordable. The multicolor stemware set is perfect for parties, Galentine’s Day, or girls’ night in.
I love flying out of RDU — something about it feels easy, and those high ceilings in Terminal 2 are so relaxing.
Speaking of travel, I’m heading to Oklahoma City in just a few weeks for an NBA game. I want to know if our readers have any recommendations for food, activities, and more in OKC — you already know I love good coffee, comfort foods, and a floral photo shoot location.
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