Raleigh-Durham International Airport (KRDU)

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is an international airport located in unincorporated Wake County, about 15 miles northwest of Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital city. Its airport code is RDU, and it is the main airport for the Research Triangle region, which encompasses Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. It is the second-busiest airport in the state, with about 400 daily departures.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport FBOs

Fixed-base operators, or FBOs, are essential to private jet charter travel. They provide essential services to the pilot and the plane, including hangaring, tie-down, fueling, and maintenance. But FBOs also provide services to passengers of private jet flights before and after their travel. These can include lounges, rental cars, and concierge services.

There are two fixed-base operators at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which is a public airport with domestic and international travel. However, the airport is open to private jet travel as well.

Signature Flight Support FBO

Signature Flight is a company with FBOs at airports throughout the world, including Raleigh-Durham International Airport. As an FBO at a larger airport, it can help facilitate private jet charter travel. Its address is 1775 E. International Drive Raleigh, NC 27523 and it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Signature Flight Support’s services include a business center, conference rooms, a passenger lounge, rental cars, showers, and Wi-Fi. The FBO is also pet-friendly.

Atlantic Aviation FBO

Atlantic Aviation is another company with FBOs in many locations. The address of its Raleigh-Durham International Airport location is 1750 East International Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560. The FBO is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to hangar space for private jets, Atlantic Aviation offers services such as Wi-Fi, Go car rentals, a conference room, and customs at its RDU location.

Luxury Transportation to RDU

After you get off your private jet in Raleigh-Durham, you’ll need ground transportation to get around the city and the general region. Just like a private jet, ground transportation should be luxurious, efficient, and on time so you can relax and focus on the purpose of your trip, whether that be business or pleasure. The Research Triangle area has plenty of options for you, whether you simply want transit to and from the airport or for your entire stay.

Smith Luxury Limousines

Smith Luxury Limousines is a high-end luxury limousine company that offers service for events and corporate purposes. The company’s highly-trained chauffeurs provide full-service transportation in a slew of vehicles throughout the Research Triangle region.

Carolina Car Service

Carolina Car Service offers first-class luxury transportation to and from Raleigh-Durham International Airport and its fixed-base operators. The company also provides executive car services throughout Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding region. Its fleet includes limousines, luxury sedans, luxury SUVs, minivans, and buses.

North Hills Transportation

North Hills Transportation is a luxury transportation company dedicated to reliability, quality, and safety. The company offers service 365 days a year, day and night. North Hills Transportation offers car service to and from RDU airport. Additionally, its fleet includes high-end vehicles such as Lincoln town cars, Chevrolet SUVs, and stretch limousines.

Triangle Corporate Coach

As you might guess from its name, Triangle Corporate Coach is a luxury transportation company that offers car service throughout the Research Triangle region, especially for corporate purposes. The company offers pick-ups and drop-offs from RDU, so you don’t have to worry about getting to your private jet flight on time.

Southern Style Luxury Transportation

As its name suggests, Southern Style Luxury Transportation is committed to providing the best luxury service throughout Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Its services include point-to-point travel (such as to RDU airport), round-trip travel, and hourly charters so that they can provide service for all parts of your trip.

Luxury Accommodations in Raleigh-Durham

Staying in the right hotel is also paramount when taking a private jet charter to Raleigh-Durham. The area has no shortage of great accommodations to choose from, whether you’re traveling fo business or for pleasure. Each accommodation below caters to a different need, whether you’re hoping to be near the city’s center or farther out by the University.

Aloft Raleigh

Aloft Raleigh, a hip hotel by Marriott, is located right near North Carolina State University’s Main Campus, offering great views of the Bell Tower. Its location is great for exploring downtown and the rest of the Raleigh area. The hotel even has a bike-share program that allows you to take a bike out for the day if you so choose. In addition to a 24/7 pantry, a bar, and a lounge, the hotel features an outdoor pool, fitness center, and meeting rooms.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa

The Umstead Hotel and Spa is North Carolina’s most highly-rated hotel. It’s located in Cary, just five miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Its serene woodland setting provides a gorgeous backdrop for your stay. Inside, curated art graces the walls and bathrobes are found in the rooms. The hotel also offers world-class cuisine and a relaxing spa.

21C Museum Hotel Durham

If you want to stay in Downtown Durham, 21C Museum Hotel is the place for you. This multi-venue location has over 10,500 square feet of exhibition and event space in addition to its boutique hotel and restaurant. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but its rooms have all the modern comforts you need.

Graduate Chapel Hill

Graduate Chapel Hill is the premier choice if you want to fly into RDU and stay in Chapel Hill, home to the nation’s first public university. Formerly called the Franklin, the hotel is located on Franklin Street just steps from campus. Rooms are thoughtfully designed and pet-friendly. The hotel also boasts over 2,400 square feet of meeting and event space both indoors and out for all your needs.

Weather in Raleigh-Durham

The weather in Raleigh experiences both ends of the spectrum in terms of hot and cold. Summers tend to be hot and muggy while the winters are very cold, but luckily fairly short. Temperatures generally vary between 33 and 89 degrees throughout the year, but rarely fall below 20 degrees or rise above 95 degrees.

Winter in Raleigh-Durham

The winters in Raleigh can be slightly wet, seeing about 6 inches of snow on average. The area also experiences freezing rain, sleet, and ice storms. Raleigh is about an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains, so it experiences some intense cold during the winters, but not as cold as it is in true mountain towns.

Rainfall in Raleigh-Durham

Raleigh can get fairly muggy and humid, especially in the summers. On average, the city receives about 43 inches of rainfall per year. The wettest season lasts from May to August. The city isn’t any more likely to have poor flying conditions than most places in the United States due to its fairly temperate climate.

DURHAM WEATHER

Raleigh-Durham International Airport Runways

Raleigh-Durham International Airport covers 5,000 acres and has three runways. Two runways are made of asphalt while one is made of concrete. These runways are all different sizes so they can accommodate different sizes of private jets.

Runway 5R/23L

Runway 5R/23L is 7,500 feet long and 150 feet wide and is made of asphalt.

Runway 5L/23R

Runway 5L/23R is 10,000 feet long and 150 feet wide and is made of concrete.

Runway 14/32

Runway 14/32 is 3,570 feet long and 100 feet wide and is made of asphalt. While runways 5R/23L and 5L/23R are considered the two primary runways, runway 14/32 is used as a General Aviation runway.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport Aircraft

Raleigh-Durham International Airport typically handles 400 daily departures on average. In 2021, it saw over 170,000 airport movements. In addition to airline and private jet flights, RDU houses very active cargo facilities, including those for FedEx and UPS. The North and South Cargo areas process more than 136 tons of cargo daily.

Private Jets That Can Land at Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Thanks to the different-sized runways at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, several kinds of private jets can fly into and take off from the airport. However, because most private aircraft utilize the general aviation runway, some jets may be too big to fly into RDU.

Light Jets

Light jets typically need about 3,000 feet to take off, so most can take off from RDU’s general aviation runway. Some standouts include the Citation Encore+, which seats up to nine passengers, and the Phenom 300, which has a range of almost 2,000 nautical miles.

Very Light Jets

Very light jets are also a great option that can take off and land on the general aviation runway at RDU. These jets usually need less than 3,000 feet to take off and land. One example of a very light jet is the Eclipse 550, which seats between 4 and 6 people and has lots of storage space. Another option is the Vision Jet, which seats between 6 and 7 people and has state-of-the-art safety features.

Special Amenities at Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Raleigh-Durham International Airport has two main terminals with various dining options including a Starbucks, Mediterranean cafe, and grill. There is also shopping available in the terminals. You’ll find a Benefit store and a CVS kiosk, among others.

Observation Park

Open from 9 a.m. to sunset every day, the Observation Park is a great place to relax and watch planes take off and land, especially for children. The park has a picnic area, a grass lawn, restrooms, and free parking. It overlooks the 10,000-foot runway.

Free Wi-Fi

Raleigh-Durham International Airport offers free Wi-Fi to all guests in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. There are also numerous power outlets in both terminals.

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