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RDU: Top 5 Airport

RDU: Top 5 Airport

by | Oct 28, 2025 | Buzz, November 2025

RDU’s soaring in national ranks.

Our airport’s flying high—literally. Soaring in the ranks, Raleigh-Durham International Airport just landed 5th in North America for passenger satisfaction—up from 13th last year—thanks largely to its onslaught of next-level F&B offerings and nonstop destinations.

The latest J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study confirms what locals already know: RDU is taking off. Those record 15.5 million passengers in 2024 aren’t just passing through—they’re experiencing the airport as a destination unto itself—a curated journey that reflects the airport’s intentional “reimagining of its restaurant scene,” says Stephanie Hawco, director of media relations at Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The new restaurants reflect the vibrant flavors of the Triangle region and elevate the airport dining experience to a new level.” 

And it’s working. Travelers are taking note—and taking bites. Add to the gaggle of goodies that have dropped over the last year (see below) the inbound Raleigh Beer Garden in Terminal 1. The Hibernian Hospitality Group concept—repeatedly recognized by USA Today as a top 10 beer garden in the country—is going wheels up in November. Also brewing up in T2: Bond Brothers Kitchen & Bar, Lonerider, Adios! By Oscar Diaz, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay—plus mod Italian eatery Puro Gusto in T1.

hibernian rdu airport
Hibernian Hospitality Group

By embracing the Triangle’s F&B scene from the ground up, RDU’s serving up far more than taste—it’s serving a sense of place. Dining isn’t just functional, it’s part of what makes the airport feel uniquely like home in the sky. From Raleigh-inspired menus to lounges that balance comfort and efficiency, travelers find themselves lingering a little longer, elevating a layover to a mini-vacation. 

And it’s not just the food that is leveling up. With a record 82 nonstop destinations, including 15 international routes, RDU has officially outgrown “regional hub” status. Air Canada and WestJet now link to Vancouver and Calgary, respectively; Breeze Airways’ will add a RDU crew base come 2026 with tentative nonstops to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Punta Cana in March; and Aer Lingus is set to launch year-round service to Dublin in April.

To keep pace, RDU’s building big: a massive new runway (by 2029) to ease congestion, expanded terminals (T1 to 24 gates, T2 to 53), upgraded customs facilities and a 7,000-space parking deck with sustainable solar-covered walkways. Every upgrade signals a single message: RDU isn’t just growing—it’s future-proofing.

That momentum extends well beyond the terminals and tarmac. The 2021-nee Triangle Takeoff Coalition—a cadre of local businesses and community sponsors who rely on air travel—has served to fortify those connections by recognizing RDU’s role as an essential driver of regional growth and a key factor in the “best places to live” awards sweep. Today, the airport fuels roughly 140K jobs and $24B in annual economic impact, and incentive programs are helping lure more international carriers. 

So, as RDU climbs the charts, it’s taking the Triangle along for the ride. From first-time flyers to frequent jet-setters, everyone can feel the care in every detail. The airport isn’t just taking off—it’s landing in the spotlight and earning national acclaim. With the runway stretching farther, new gates multiplying and the skyline rising higher, one thing is clear: RDU—and Raleigh—are just getting started.

TARMAC TO TABLE
Heavy hitters redefining airport eats

TERMINAL 1
ACC American Cafe
Beyu Caffé 
Char-Grill
Raleigh Beer Garden

TERMINAL 2
Adios! By Oscar Diaz *
Beyu Caffé
Black & White Coffee Roasters
Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay*
Bond Brothers Kitchen & Bar*
Bongiorno & Son Italian Specialties
Carolina Craft
Conniption Cocktails and Cuisine
Crawford’s Genuine 
getREEF Virtual Food Hall
Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Pizza Joint
La Farm Bakery & Cafe

*coming soon

Local Dining at RDU Is a Soaring Success

Local Dining at RDU Is a Soaring Success

by | Feb 25, 2025 | Buzz, March 2025

An effort to bring more regional dining concepts to RDU is helping local businesses take off.  

“The new restaurants we opened this year reflect the vibrant flavors of the Triangle region and elevate the airport dining experience to a new level.”

— Stephanie Hawco

Boasting a benefit that soars far beyond the hungry traveler, RDU’s commitment to local has really taken off. Already replacing a slew of chains with hot local concepts since its 2020 inception, the RDU concessions model is also rooted in keeping the airport relevant via a continuous “refresh” process. So, as agreements expire every three to 10 years, new businesses have the opportunity to submit proposals to earn their time in the terminal.

Now looking to welcome more than a dozen additional concepts in 2025 as RDU “reimagines its restaurant scene,” says Stephanie Hawco, director of media relations at Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, that concerted effort to lean local and keep concepts fresh is already apparent from first entree of highly traveled Terminal 2 via the swap of two prominent Starbucks spots bookending TSA. 

The long-defunct pre-security, post-flight locale now boasts Bull City fave Beyu Caffé, while the always buzzing post-TSA cafe is brewing up Raleigh-based Black & White Coffee Roasters—the latter of which “serves more coffee than our two streetside locations combined,” says B&W Director of Education Trevor Clark. And, of course, the adjacent 2021-bowed La Farm Bakery & Cafe continues to be a crowd favorite.

“The record number of passengers who are traveling through RDU need a great cup of coffee and a meal to fuel their journeys,” says Hawco. “The new restaurants we opened this year reflect the vibrant flavors of the Triangle region and elevate the airport dining experience to a new level.”

Of those—and giving a glimpse of the airport’s vision—there’s long-revered RDU respite 42nd Street Oyster Bar-turned-Crawford’s Genuine, alongside celeb chef Scott Crawford’s proximal Carolina Craft. Additional imminent highly anticipated local concepts set to bow as early as spring include Durham Distillery’s Conniption Cocktails and Cuisine, Adios! By Oscar Diaz, Bongiorno & Son Italian Specialties, and Raleigh Beer Garden, among several others.

Beyond “connecting visitors with our region’s culture,” expresses Clark, “and giving residents access to their favorite local brands before traveling” at one of the fastest-growing international airports in the country, RDU’s conceptualization is bigger than tasty tours through local favorites and flavors—it’s about brand visibility. And it’s big business for NC, adds Durham Distillery co-owner and CEO/President Melissa Katrincic. 

A boon for the local economy and a win-win for the hospitality community, these concepts take it a step further by leaning local for their purveyors, creating a big ramp up in business. Think the cult-classic Union Special breads and pastries featured at Black & White and Crawford’s proximal pair, or the premium dark chocolate from Raleigh’s Videri Chocolate Factory blended in Durham Distillery’s Damn Fine Chocolate Liqueur. 

“RDU is such a representation of the Triangle,” emphasizes Union Special owner/baker Andrew Ullom. Ultimately, by embracing the Triangle’s F&B scene from the ground up, the terminal is serving up far more than tasteful destinations on your next layover—it’s serving as a vehicle for community allowing travelers and residents alike to feel good about the money they spend.