3/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“We arrived at 7:15 and parked in the long term parking.”
William Herrera5★ on Google
Airports / North Carolina / RDU
Large airport · RDU
Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina · 435 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.4/5
Google rating
12,398 ratings
0
Operators based
435
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Raleigh/Durham, North CarolinaELEV 435 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.4
Google rating
12,398
Google reviews
ratings on Google
2
FBOs on field
ramp, fuel and handling
435
Field elevation
feet above sea level
28
Nearest alternate
nm to KJNX
Field standing
28 nm
To the nearest alternate
Johnston Regional Airport (KJNX), 6 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (KRDU / RDU) is a large commercial airport serving Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. Field elevation is 435 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
While no charter operators list RDU as their home base, the field is reachable for repositioned charter aircraft from nearby bases. The closest alternate fields are Johnston Regional Airport (KJNX, 28 nm), Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport (RWI, 44 nm), and Pope Field (POB, 44 nm). The field has 3 runways, the longest 10,000-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Charter travelers heading this way can start with the Raleigh-Durham, NC destination guide for route and aircraft recommendations. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from RDU to plan your flight.
2 FBOs serve KRDU. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Atlantic Aviation Morrisville
Your FBO? Claim it, freeAtlantic Aviation in Raleigh-Durham is in the heart of the Research Triangle Region. Known for its technology companies and scholarly institutions, this region boasts award winning inns, hotels and spas, culinary delights for every taste, and cultural experiences including university gardens, art and history museums, and more.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- Mon-Sun: 24 Hours
- Unicom 131.00
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Car rental
- Restrooms
- +9 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Signature Flight Support Morrisville
Your FBO? Claim it, freeRaleigh-Durham, known as the “City of Oaks” for its many oak trees that line the city. Raleigh is a blossoming Southern metropolis. Feel energized and enriched the instant you are welcomed by its hip, savvy locals. The city is the home to some top-tier technology firm, education and life science institutions.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- 24/7
- Unicom 131.15
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Car rental
- +23 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
2/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“Flying out of Terminal 2 after a business trip was smooth, relaxing, and surprisingly enjoyable.”
Lonnie Perry5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KRDU
IATA
RDU
FAA / Local
RDU
Elevation
435 ft
Coordinates
35.8787° N · 78.7873° W
Airspace
C · CharlieClass C, CharlieRadar-controlled airspace around mid-size hubs. Aircraft must be in two-way radio contact and squawking a transponder while approach control sequences arrivals.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs NC fields
state range 10–3,179 ft
At 435 ft, RDU sits higher than 57% of the 58 North Carolina fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
3 runways
longest 10,000 ft
- 05L/23R10,000 ft × 150 ftConcreteLighted
- 05R/23L7,500 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
- 14/323,570 ft × 100 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 10,000 ft
RDU's 10,000 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 28nmKJNXJohnston Regional AirportSmithfield
- 44nmRWIRocky Mount Wilson Regional AirportRocky Mount
- 44nmPOBPope FieldFort Bragg
- 44nmKW63Lake Country Regional AirportClarksville
- 45nmFBGSimmons Army Air FieldFort Bragg
- 49nmDANDanville Regional AirportDanville
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapKRDU · Raleigh-Durham International Airport · Raleigh/Durham, NC
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from RDU on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Washington DC (IAD) | 195 nm | 51m |
| New York (TEB) | 372 nm | 1h 16m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 383 nm | 1h 17m |
| Boston (BED) | 527 nm | 1h 38m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 556 nm | 1h 42m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 561 nm | 1h 42m |
| Miami (MIA) | 610 nm | 1h 49m |
| Houston (HOU) | 911 nm | 2h 31m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use RDU?
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport's longest paved runway is 10,000 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at RDU?
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport has 3 runways; the longest measures 10,000 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Which FBOs are at Raleigh-Durham International Airport?
- 2 FBOs serve RDU: Atlantic Aviation Morrisville and Signature Flight Support Morrisville. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to RDU?
- The closest alternate is Johnston Regional Airport (KJNX), about 28 nm away, followed by Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport (RWI) at 44 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from RDU to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: New York about 1h 16m (372 nm), Nashville about 1h 17m (383 nm), Boston about 1h 38m (527 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.