As a Raleigh resident and world traveler with 50+ countries and 35 states under my belt, I’m always checking the direct flights from Raleigh for my next trip. We’re lucky there are so many great domestic and international direct flights departing from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, allowing you to travel to some of the most popular destinations without needing to change planes.
Whether you’re a looking to get out of the city for a weekend, a week, or just curious, let’s uncover what non-stop flights are currently available from RDU to inspire your wanderlust. In this guide, I’ll share our favorite direct domestic flights, and direct international flights, to inspire your wanderlust.
- Expansion of direct flights from RDU
- Top International Direct Flights from Raleigh
- Our Top Domestic Direct Flights from Raleigh
- Raleigh to Chicago-O'Hare (ORD)
- Raleigh to Daytona (DAB)
- Raleigh to Denver (DEN)
- Raleigh to Las Vegas (LAS)
- Raleigh to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Raleigh to Miami (MIA)
- Raleigh to Seattle (SEA)
- Raleigh to Austin, TX (AUS)
- Raleigh to New Orleans (MSY)
- Raleigh to New York-Kennedy (JFK)
- Raleigh to Orlando-International (MCO)
- Full list of international flights from Raleigh
- Our Top Domestic Direct Flights from Raleigh
- Raleigh to Chicago-O'Hare (ORD)
- Raleigh to Daytona (DAB)
- Raleigh to Denver (DEN)
- Raleigh to Las Vegas (LAS)
- Raleigh to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Raleigh to Miami (MIA)
- Raleigh to Seattle (SEA)
- Raleigh to Austin, TX (AUS)
- Raleigh to New Orleans (MSY)
- Raleigh to New York-Kennedy (JFK)
- Raleigh to Orlando-International (MCO)
- FAQs about direct flights from RDU
- Final thoughts
Expansion of direct flights from RDU
Even though our local Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is not a major hub like Atlanta or Chicago, since first moving here in 2004, the direct flight options have improved immensely and when we want to get away from Raleigh, we can pretty much fly anywhere easily enough. RDU airport continues to add direct flights to new destinations.
We now have direct flights to European destinations like London, Paris, Dublin and Frankfurt in Germany, as well as flights to cities in Canada (Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal). In 2025, new direct flights to the Caribbean have been introduced. You can now fly to exotic islands such as Montego Bay in Jamaica and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
There is also a 25-year master plan for growth including runway and terminal expansions (expected by 2040) – and I’m excited about the potential for more routes opening up in the future, which will make living in Raleigh more convenient for frequent travelers like us!
When it comes to nonstop flights from Raleigh, over the years I’ve had to make my fair share of connections to get to my final destination, but I always prefer to fly direct as much as possible to save on time, especially if it’s a dream trip to a destination where I don’t have a lot of time on the ground. And it also reduces the chance of your check-in luggage going missing!
NOTE: Seasonal and daily frequency of RDU flights can vary. The following list includes all current and scheduled services. But it’s always best to go directly to the particular airline websites for the latest information on departure times!
Top International Direct Flights from Raleigh
There are more popular departures leaving Raleigh each week, so if you want to explore popular international destinations, here are our top direct flights from Raleigh overseas. Some of these made our Raleigh spring break destinations hotspots list!
Raleigh to London-Heathrow (LHR)
London is a fantastic city and with all the amazing things to do in London it’s no surprise why it’s one of the most visited places in the world. A cosmopolitan city, it is well known for its iconic landmarks, rich cultural institutions, and a blend of modern and traditional charm.
London is home to the doble decker red bus and the royal family. You can see a play in the West End, visit one of its many world class museums and historical landmarks, witness incredible architecture, and weird and wonderful London attractions. The British capital has something special for everyone.
- Airlines: American
- Frequency: Daily
- Flight time: 7 hrs, 25 mins
- Book flights to London
- Hotels in London
- Vacation rentals in London
- Tours in London
Raleigh to Paris (CDG)
Paris is called the City of Light, and it captivates with its romantic ambiance, iconic landmarks, world-class art museums, and delectable cuisine. It is a city so synonymous with beauty, even the least romantic are defenseless against its charms. A city that’s on almost everyone’s bucket list, Paris is the city of love, fashion and art. We enjoyed an amazing four days here, and needless to say, you’ll never run out of things to do in Paris, France.
- Airlines: Air France
- Frequency: 3x weekly
- Flight time: 7 hrs, 40 mins
- Book flights to Paris
- Hotels in Paris
- Vacation rentals in Paris
- Tours in Paris
Raleigh to Dublin (DUB)
We lived in Dublin for one year in 2003 and love this Irish city that is full of history, charm, pubs, and of course the home of Guinness. Dublin is where pub doors open up to rooms of Irish folk music and laughter, where down every cobblestone lane, historic Georgian buildings have been transformed into quirky coffee shops, galleries, and indie music haunts.
It’s a city that inspired poets and playwrights, has one of the most stunning universities in the world, and a nightlife scene that’s second to none. You will find so many iconic things to do in Dublin, from walking tours to exploring second-hand bookstores to eating hearty pies in pubs.
- Airlines: Air Lingus
- Frequency: Daily
- Flight time: 7 hrs, 20 mins
- Book flights to Dublin
- Hotels in Dublin
- Vacation rentals in Paris
- Tours in Dublin
Raleigh to Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF)
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, a city surrounded by stunning natural landscapes and known for its vibrant arts scene, geothermal hot springs, and the mesmerizing Northern Lights. You’ll warm up to Iceland’s capital with volcanic scenery, luxurious hot springs, and landmarks aplenty. Here are a few Iceland road trip tips with best places to visit in Iceland.
- Airlines: Icelandair
- Frequency: 4x weekly
- Flight time: 6 hrs, 5 mins
- Book flights to Reykjavik
- Hotels in Reykjavik
- Vacation rentals in Reykjavik
- Tours in Reykjavik
Raleigh to Cancun (CUN)
Cancun is a tropical paradise on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, vibrant nightlife, and proximity to ancient Mayan ruins. Hot all year round, this Caribbean gem is the place to let your hair down at the beach or a fiesta.
- Airlines: Aeromexico (Starts December 2025), American, Delta
- Frequency: Aeromexico (7 days a week until Jan 5th, 2026, then 5 days a week), American (1x weekly), Delta (1x weekly)
- Flight time: 3 hrs, 30 mins
- Book flights to Cancun
- Hotels in Cancun
- Vacation rentals in Cancun
- Tours in Cancun
Our Top Domestic Direct Flights from Raleigh
Only the direct, non-stop flights within the USA are listed below. However, there may be more flights throughout the day or week to each destination that do include a stopover.
Raleigh to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
Chicago is well renowned for its architectural marvels, world-class museums, public art, parks, diverse cultures and food from around the world including its iconic deep-dish pizza, live music scene, and colorful past.
If you love big cities that are self-assured without being too pretentious, Chicago welcomes you in with the freedom to be yourself while you explore its vibrant neighborhoods, historical sites, arts and culture, magnificent shopping and natural beauty. Caroline and Kalyra enjoyed a memorable mom and daughter getaway to Chicago over a St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
- Airlines to Chicago-Midway: Southwest
- Airlines to Chicago-O’Hare: American, Frontier & United
- Frequency: American (5x daily), United (3x daily), Frontier (x1 Mon, Thurs & Sun), Southwest (3x daily Mon-Fri, 2x Sat, 4x Sun)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 25 mins
- Book flights to Chicago
- Hotels in Chicago
- Vacation rentals in Chicago
- Tours in Chicago
Raleigh to Daytona (DAB)
The new nonstop flight from RDU to Daytona Beach makes it easy to reach not just one, but three incredible destinations: Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and West Volusia – giving you a perfect 3-night weekend of fun. Here is our 3-Day itinerary for Daytona Beach for your perfect winter getaway.
In just a few days, you can experience the unique vibe of each area — from stunning beach scenes and serene sunrises to epic seafood, tubing down crystal clear spring runs, and magical moments with manatees. And the best part? You’ll be sipping cocktails by the ocean less than three hours after leaving Raleigh.
We flew out of Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) at 3:10pm on a Thursday afternoon and landed in Daytona Beach at 4:50pm. By 5:30pm, we were checked into our oceanfront suite at the Renaissance Hotel. That flight time is faster than driving to the beaches on the NC coast, without the traffic, parking headaches, or road trip fatigue.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) might be small, but that’s its superpower. It’s quiet, clean, modern, and efficient. No long lines. Parking is close. The rental car counter is near the baggage carousels and pickup is just steps away outside. And the drive to our beachside accommodation was just under 20-minutes. That’s the kind of airport experience we yearn for!
- Airlines to Daytona Beach Breeze Airways
- Frequency: Flights leave for DAB on Thursday afternoon and return to RDU on Sunday evening
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 25 mins
- Book flights to Daytona Beach
- Hotels in Daytona Beach
- Vacation rentals in Daytona Beach
- Tours in Daytona Beach
Raleigh to Denver (DEN)
Denver is the gateway to the stunning Rocky Mountains region and is celebrated for its outdoor recreation, craft breweries, live music, emerging foodie scene and thriving cultural scene. Known as mile high city, Denver has a huge outdoor culture and fanatical sports following. And as one of the fastest growing areas for millennial migration in the US, the city is quite hip, edgy, and happening with many fun things to do.
- Airlines: United, Frontier, Southwest
- Frequency: United (2-3x daily), Frontier (1x daily), Southwest (1-2x daily)
- Flight time: 4 hrs, 10 mins
- Book flights to Denver
- Hotels in Denver
- Vacation rentals in Denver
- Tours in Denver
Raleigh to Las Vegas (LAS)
Las Vegas is famous for being a vibrant desert oasis known for its world-renowned entertainment, dazzling nightlife, iconic themed resorts and gambling. When you visit Vegas, you can experience Sin City’s unique allure and grandeur, then let nearby landscapes such as Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, and Grand Canyon West make for excellent day trips from Vegas.
- Airlines: Delta, Frontier, Southwest
- Frequency: Delta (1x daily), Frontier (3x week), Southwest (x1 Saturday, Sunday and Monday)
- Flight time: Between 4 hours 45 minutes and 5 hours 18 mins
- Book flights to Las Vegas
- Hotels in Las Vegas
- Vacation rentals in Las Vegas
- Tours in Vegas
Raleigh to Los Angeles (LAX)
Known as the entertainment and film industry capital of the world, you’ve no doubt seen the glamor of Los Angeles in endless movies, TV shows and music videos and where you can go behind the scenes of your favorite films.
LA is also a place to experience diverse, vibrant and relaxed beach culture such as the infamous Venice (Manhattan Beach is our favorite). It has fantastic street art, unique and fun attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, interesting neighborhoods with distinct personalities, and an incredible diversity of flavorful food.
- Airlines: American, Delta, Breeze
- Frequency: American (1x daily), Delta (1x daily), Breeze (2x weekly)
- Flight time: 5 hrs, 45mins
- Book flights to Los Angeles
- Hotels in Los Angeles
- Vacation rentals in LA
- Tours in LA
Raleigh to Miami (MIA)
Miami is a vibrant coastal city with its eclectic blend of Art Deco architecture, Latin-inspired culture, lively nightlife, and stunning South Beach. Here you can relax on the beach, discover the hot nightlife, people-watch, and more in this Floridian metropolis. Besides South Beach, consider exploring Little Havana and Coconut Grove, a bohemian village of tree-lined streets with sidewalk eateries. And Miami is also the getaway to Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys!
- Airlines: American, Delta, Frontier
- Frequency: American (5x daily), Delta (2x daily), Frontier (x1 Fri, x1 Mon)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 18 mins
- Book flights to Miami
- Hotels in Miami
- Vacation rentals in Miami
- Tours in Miami
Raleigh to Seattle (SEA)
Explore the Pacific Northwest from Seattle, a city known for its stunning views of Puget Sound, iconic Space Needle, and a thriving tech and coffee culture. Of course, some of the biggest corporations in the world, like Microsoft and Starbucks, were founded here, as well as badass musical influences such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
Take a trip up The Space Needle, visit the first Starbucks and then take a gander through Pike Place Market. Seattle is big on culture, the arts, unique attractions, innovation, musicians and sports. It’s a metropolis that blends nature with urban life better than most. Fun Fact: In Pike Place Market is Honest Biscuits, a Raleigh native (who we know through mutual friends). His NC style biscuits are delicious – and he has gluten free ones that taste just like the normal ones!
- Airlines: Alaska, Delta
- Frequency: Alaska (1x daily), Delta (1x daily)
- Flight time: 6hrs, 8mins
- Book flights to Seattle
- Hotels in Seattle
- Vacation rentals in Seattle
- Tours in Seattle
Raleigh to Austin, TX (AUS)
Austin is a quirky and vibrant city well known for being the live music capital of the world, for its inspiring cuisine, and tech culture. But Austin is also home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind shopping and beautiful outdoor spaces. Yes, live music is everywhere, but you could spend a day exploring sculpture gardens and historic homes, zipline through the Hill Country or give the kids a hands-on experience at a number of STEM museums. Our friend Jane has an awesome blog about Austin.
- Airlines: Delta, Southwest
- Frequency: Delta (1x daily), Southwest (1x daily)
- Flight time: 3 hrs, 15 mins
- Book flights to Austin
- Hotels in Austin
- Vacation rentals in Austin
- Tours in Austin
Raleigh to New Orleans (MSY)
New Orleans, NOLA, or The Big Easy as it’s also known, is a melting pot of cultures with the influence of the French, Spanish and African Americans. NOLA is famed for its jazz music and nightlife, the historic French Quarter, flavorful Creole cuisine, and festive atmosphere – especially during Mardi Gras, and yes you can do Mardi Gras with kids. There’s also amazing architecture, delicious seafood (don’t miss out on the fried shrimp!) and even some spooky ghost stories to tell.
- Airlines: Breeze, Southwest, Spirit
- Frequency: Breeze (4x weekly), Southwest (1 flight on Sunday), Spirit (1 flight on Sunday)
- Flight time: 2hrs, 25 mins
- Book flights to New Orleans
- Hotels in New Orleans
- Vacation rentals in New Orleans
- Tours in New Orleans
Raleigh to New York-Kennedy (JFK)
New York City is a bustling metropolis and cultural melting pot, characterized by iconic landmarks, Broadway theaters, diverse neighborhoods, and a dynamic energy that never sleeps.
An iconic city, there are countless NY attractions and landmarks such as The Empire State Building, the One World Observatory and World Trade Center Monument, and of course the Statue of Liberty. In NY you can eat, shop, and fall in love with world-class museums, historical landmarks, and skyscrapers galore. Here is our 3-day itinerary for NYC
- Airlines: American, Delta, JetBlue
- Frequency: American (1-3x daily), Delta (5x daily), JetBlue (2x daily)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 10mins
- Book flights to NYC
- Hotels in NYC
- Vacation rentals in NYC
- Tours in NYC
NOTE: you can also fly direct to LaGuardia and Newark from Raleigh. So, depending upon where in NYC you want to arrive from, and your airline of choice, you have options! We like flying into LaGuardia, jumping on the free bus Q70 Limited to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave Subway Station and then take the subway for a cost of $2.90. It took me one hour to reach Manhattan, and buses depart every 8-10 minutes. Cheaper and faster than Newark or JFK!
Raleigh to Orlando-International (MCO)
Orlando is the quintessential American vacation destination, renowned for its world-class theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort which offers attractions, shows, dining and shopping on a property that is twice the size of the island of Manhattan – and then there’s Universal Studios. Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, foodie, water sports fanatic, sun worshiper, arts patron, serious shopper or anything in between, the possibilities are endless.
- Airlines: Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest
- Frequency: Breeze (x1 flight Sun, Mon, Thurs & Fri only), Delta (3x daily), Frontier (2x daily), Southwest (2-4x daily)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 10 mins
- Book flights to Orlando
- Hotels in Orlando
- Vacation rentals in Orlando
- Tours in Orlando
Full list of international flights from Raleigh
You can currently fly direct to these international destinations from Raleigh, North Carolina. Check individual airline websites for the latest information:
| Destination | Airline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cancun, Mexico | Aeromexico, American, Delta, Frontier | Aeromexico, American and Delta are seasonal |
| Dublin, Ireland | Aer Lingus | Launched spring 2026 |
| Frankfurt, Germany | Lufthansa | Year-round, since 2024 |
| Guadalajara, Mexico | Volaris | Starts Oct 16, 2026; Wed, Fri, Sun on a 238-seat A321neo |
| London-Heathrow, UK | American | Year-round |
| Mexico City, Mexico | Aeromexico | Year-round |
| Montreal, Canada | Air Canada Express | Year-round |
| Panama City, Panama | Copa Airlines | Year-round, since 2024 |
| Paris-CDG, France | Air France | Year-round |
| Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | American, Breeze | Seasonal |
| Reykjavik, Iceland | Icelandair | Year-round |
| Toronto, Canada | Air Canada, Air Canada Express | Air Canada mainline is seasonal |
| Vancouver, Canada | Air Canada Rouge | Seasonal; Wikipedia shows it beginning May 1, 2027 |
| Belize City, Belize | BermudAir | Seasonal, Dec 20, 2026 to May 2, 2027; Thu and Sun |
| Providenciales, Turks and Caicos | BermudAir | Same season and days as Belize |
Our Top Domestic Direct Flights from Raleigh
Only the direct, non-stop flights within the USA are listed below. However, there may be more flights throughout the day or week to each destination that do include a stopover.
Raleigh to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
Chicago is well renowned for its architectural marvels, world-class museums, public art, parks, diverse cultures and food from around the world including its iconic deep-dish pizza, live music scene, and colorful past.
If you love big cities that are self-assured without being too pretentious, Chicago welcomes you in with the freedom to be yourself while you explore its vibrant neighborhoods, historical sites, arts and culture, magnificent shopping and natural beauty. Caroline and Kalyra enjoyed a memorable mom and daughter getaway to Chicago over a St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
- Airlines to Chicago-Midway: Southwest
- Airlines to Chicago-O’Hare: American, Frontier & United
- Frequency: American (5x daily), United (3x daily), Frontier (x1 Mon, Thurs & Sun), Southwest (3x daily Mon-Fri, 2x Sat, 4x Sun)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 25 mins
- Book flights to Chicago
- Hotels in Chicago
- Vacation rentals in Chicago
- Tours in Chicago
Raleigh to Daytona (DAB)
The new nonstop flight from RDU to Daytona Beach makes it easy to reach not just one, but three incredible destinations: Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and West Volusia – giving you a perfect 3-night weekend of fun. Here is our 3-Day itinerary for Daytona Beach for your perfect winter getaway.
In just a few days, you can experience the unique vibe of each area — from stunning beach scenes and serene sunrises to epic seafood, tubing down crystal clear spring runs, and magical moments with manatees. And the best part? You’ll be sipping cocktails by the ocean less than three hours after leaving Raleigh.
We flew out of Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) at 3:10pm on a Thursday afternoon and landed in Daytona Beach at 4:50pm. By 5:30pm, we were checked into our oceanfront suite at the Renaissance Hotel. That flight time is faster than driving to the beaches on the NC coast, without the traffic, parking headaches, or road trip fatigue.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) might be small, but that’s its superpower. It’s quiet, clean, modern, and efficient. No long lines. Parking is close. The rental car counter is near the baggage carousels and pickup is just steps away outside. And the drive to our beachside accommodation was just under 20-minutes. That’s the kind of airport experience we yearn for!
- Airlines to Daytona Beach Breeze Airways
- Frequency: Flights leave for DAB on Thursday afternoon and return to RDU on Sunday evening
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 25 mins
- Book flights to Daytona Beach
- Hotels in Daytona Beach
- Vacation rentals in Daytona Beach
- Tours in Daytona Beach
Raleigh to Denver (DEN)
Denver is the gateway to the stunning Rocky Mountains region and is celebrated for its outdoor recreation, craft breweries, live music, emerging foodie scene and thriving cultural scene. Known as mile high city, Denver has a huge outdoor culture and fanatical sports following. And as one of the fastest growing areas for millennial migration in the US, the city is quite hip, edgy, and happening with many fun things to do.
- Airlines: United, Frontier, Southwest
- Frequency: United (2-3x daily), Frontier (1x daily), Southwest (1-2x daily)
- Flight time: 4 hrs, 10 mins
- Book flights to Denver
- Hotels in Denver
- Vacation rentals in Denver
- Tours in Denver
Raleigh to Las Vegas (LAS)
Las Vegas is famous for being a vibrant desert oasis known for its world-renowned entertainment, dazzling nightlife, iconic themed resorts and gambling. When you visit Vegas, you can experience Sin City’s unique allure and grandeur, then let nearby landscapes such as Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, and Grand Canyon West make for excellent day trips from Vegas.
- Airlines: Delta, Frontier, Southwest
- Frequency: Delta (1x daily), Frontier (3x week), Southwest (x1 Saturday, Sunday and Monday)
- Flight time: Between 4 hours 45 minutes and 5 hours 18 mins
- Book flights to Las Vegas
- Hotels in Las Vegas
- Vacation rentals in Las Vegas
- Tours in Vegas
Raleigh to Los Angeles (LAX)
Known as the entertainment and film industry capital of the world, you’ve no doubt seen the glamor of Los Angeles in endless movies, TV shows and music videos and where you can go behind the scenes of your favorite films.
LA is also a place to experience diverse, vibrant and relaxed beach culture such as the infamous Venice (Manhattan Beach is our favorite). It has fantastic street art, unique and fun attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, interesting neighborhoods with distinct personalities, and an incredible diversity of flavorful food.
- Airlines: American, Delta, Breeze
- Frequency: American (1x daily), Delta (1x daily), Breeze (2x weekly)
- Flight time: 5 hrs, 45mins
- Book flights to Los Angeles
- Hotels in Los Angeles
- Vacation rentals in LA
- Tours in LA
Raleigh to Miami (MIA)
Miami is a vibrant coastal city with its eclectic blend of Art Deco architecture, Latin-inspired culture, lively nightlife, and stunning South Beach. Here you can relax on the beach, discover the hot nightlife, people-watch, and more in this Floridian metropolis. Besides South Beach, consider exploring Little Havana and Coconut Grove, a bohemian village of tree-lined streets with sidewalk eateries. And Miami is also the getaway to Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys!
- Airlines: American, Delta, Frontier
- Frequency: American (5x daily), Delta (2x daily), Frontier (x1 Fri, x1 Mon)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 18 mins
- Book flights to Miami
- Hotels in Miami
- Vacation rentals in Miami
- Tours in Miami
Raleigh to Seattle (SEA)
Explore the Pacific Northwest from Seattle, a city known for its stunning views of Puget Sound, iconic Space Needle, and a thriving tech and coffee culture. Of course, some of the biggest corporations in the world, like Microsoft and Starbucks, were founded here, as well as badass musical influences such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
Take a trip up The Space Needle, visit the first Starbucks and then take a gander through Pike Place Market. Seattle is big on culture, the arts, unique attractions, innovation, musicians and sports. It’s a metropolis that blends nature with urban life better than most. Fun Fact: In Pike Place Market is Honest Biscuits, a Raleigh native (who we know through mutual friends). His NC style biscuits are delicious – and he has gluten free ones that taste just like the normal ones!
- Airlines: Alaska, Delta
- Frequency: Alaska (1x daily), Delta (1x daily)
- Flight time: 6hrs, 8mins
- Book flights to Seattle
- Hotels in Seattle
- Vacation rentals in Seattle
- Tours in Seattle
Raleigh to Austin, TX (AUS)
Austin is a quirky and vibrant city well known for being the live music capital of the world, for its inspiring cuisine, and tech culture. But Austin is also home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind shopping and beautiful outdoor spaces. Yes, live music is everywhere, but you could spend a day exploring sculpture gardens and historic homes, zipline through the Hill Country or give the kids a hands-on experience at a number of STEM museums. Our friend Jane has an awesome blog about Austin.
- Airlines: Delta, Southwest
- Frequency: Delta (1x daily), Southwest (1x daily)
- Flight time: 3 hrs, 15 mins
- Book flights to Austin
- Hotels in Austin
- Vacation rentals in Austin
- Tours in Austin
Raleigh to New Orleans (MSY)
New Orleans, NOLA, or The Big Easy as it’s also known, is a melting pot of cultures with the influence of the French, Spanish and African Americans. NOLA is famed for its jazz music and nightlife, the historic French Quarter, flavorful Creole cuisine, and festive atmosphere – especially during Mardi Gras, and yes you can do Mardi Gras with kids. There’s also amazing architecture, delicious seafood (don’t miss out on the fried shrimp!) and even some spooky ghost stories to tell.
- Airlines: Breeze, Southwest, Spirit
- Frequency: Breeze (4x weekly), Southwest (1 flight on Sunday), Spirit (1 flight on Sunday)
- Flight time: 2hrs, 25 mins
- Book flights to New Orleans
- Hotels in New Orleans
- Vacation rentals in New Orleans
- Tours in New Orleans
Raleigh to New York-Kennedy (JFK)
New York City is a bustling metropolis and cultural melting pot, characterized by iconic landmarks, Broadway theaters, diverse neighborhoods, and a dynamic energy that never sleeps.
An iconic city, there are countless NY attractions and landmarks such as The Empire State Building, the One World Observatory and World Trade Center Monument, and of course the Statue of Liberty. In NY you can eat, shop, and fall in love with world-class museums, historical landmarks, and skyscrapers galore. Here is our 3-day itinerary for NYC
- Airlines: American, Delta, JetBlue
- Frequency: American (1-3x daily), Delta (5x daily), JetBlue (2x daily)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 10mins
- Book flights to NYC
- Hotels in NYC
- Vacation rentals in NYC
- Tours in NYC
NOTE: you can also fly direct to LaGuardia and Newark from Raleigh. So, depending upon where in NYC you want to arrive from, and your airline of choice, you have options! We like flying into LaGuardia, jumping on the free bus Q70 Limited to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave Subway Station and then take the subway for a cost of $2.90. It took me one hour to reach Manhattan, and buses depart every 8-10 minutes. Cheaper and faster than Newark or JFK!
Raleigh to Orlando-International (MCO)
Orlando is the quintessential American vacation destination, renowned for its world-class theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort which offers attractions, shows, dining and shopping on a property that is twice the size of the island of Manhattan – and then there’s Universal Studios. Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, foodie, water sports fanatic, sun worshiper, arts patron, serious shopper or anything in between, the possibilities are endless.
- Airlines: Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest
- Frequency: Breeze (x1 flight Sun, Mon, Thurs & Fri only), Delta (3x daily), Frontier (2x daily), Southwest (2-4x daily)
- Flight time: 2 hrs, 10 mins
- Book flights to Orlando
- Hotels in Orlando
- Vacation rentals in Orlando
- Tours in Orlando
FAQs about direct flights from RDU
Is RDU a hub for any airline?
Yes, RDU is a major hub for Avelo Airlines and Endeavor Air, as well as serves popular routes for Delta Air Lines.
What is the best time to fly from RDU?
The cheapest direct flights are usually midweek, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The most expensive flights are usually on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. Booking early is best if you want the cheapest flights.
What is the best airline from RDU?
There are so many airlines, it’s hard to choose a favorite carrier.
What is the longest direct flight from Raleigh?
The longest direct flight is to Frankfurt in Germany with Lufthansa Airlines.
Final thoughts
As the list of RDU direct flights continues to grow, I’m excited about future travel opportunities and avoiding layovers. Don’t miss our complete guide to Raleigh RDU Airport for ease of travel in and out of our city. And here are our top bucket list destinations for more ideas!
And if you’re looking for direct flights to Raleigh and planning a trip here, don’t miss our guide on the top things to do in Raleigh, which includes places to eat and drink, attractions, festivals, and much more!
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