If you stepped into Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport today, you probably noticed the giant wall. It’s hard to miss. That massive floor-to-ceiling barrier at the north end of the terminal isn't just a weird art installation; it's the start of a multi-year construction headache that officially kicked into high gear this January 14, 2026.
Honestly, it's a bit of a mess right now.
Between the 94% full parking garages and the echoing sounds of drilling behind plastic sheeting, RDU airport today feels more like a construction site than a travel hub. But there’s a reason for the madness. The airport is in the middle of a $2.5 billion "Transform RDU" project because, frankly, the Triangle is growing way too fast for the current footprint to handle.
Terminal 2: What's Actually Happening Behind the Wall
Most people arriving today were asking the same thing: "Is my gate even open?"
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The short answer is yes. Even though the north end looks like it's been cordoned off by a secret government agency, all the ticket counters and security lanes are still functioning. The airport authority put out a memo earlier this morning reminding everyone that while you might hear the construction, you aren't actually blocked from getting to your flight.
The goal of this specific phase is to expand the ticketing area and the international arrivals section. If you've ever flown back from Paris or London into RDU, you know that the international wing can feel like a cramped basement when two planes land at the same time. This construction is supposed to fix that by 2032. Yeah, 2032. It’s a long haul.
The Parking Nightmare
If you didn't pre-book your parking, you’re basically rolling the dice. As of 10:00 am today, the Premier lot was sitting at 94% capacity. Central wasn't much better at 82%.
Here is the current reality for parking at RDU:
- ParkRDU Premier: Almost entirely full by mid-morning.
- ParkRDU Economy 3: Still has space (about 41% full), but it's a trek.
- Economy 4: This lot is officially closed to the public as of this month. It’s now employee-only, which has caught a lot of regular travelers off guard.
If you're heading there later today, just take the shuttle. Don't waste twenty minutes circling the garage looking for a spot that doesn't exist.
The Breeze Airways News: New York Stewart Connection
While the physical airport is under construction, the route map is expanding. Today, the big news hitting the wires is the official announcement of a new nonstop link between RDU and New York Stewart International Airport (SWF).
Breeze Airways is the one pulling the trigger here.
This isn't starting tomorrow—the actual flights begin May 6—but the booking systems are going live. It’s a twice-weekly service (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Why does this matter? Because Stewart is a "hack" airport for people living in Northern New Jersey or the Hudson Valley who want to avoid the nightmare of Newark or JFK.
Plus, they’re doing this "BreezeThru" thing where you can stay on the plane at RDU and continue down to Tampa. It’s a weirdly specific route, but for the pharma and tech workers moving between the Research Triangle and New York’s secondary hubs, it’s a massive win.
Delays and Ground Realities
Weather across the country has been spotty, and RDU is feeling the ripple effects.
Looking at the boards today, United 1769 to San Francisco took a major hit, delayed nearly two hours. JetBlue's evening flight to Fort Lauderdale is also looking messy, with a projected delay of over three hours.
Most of the "local" hops—Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville—are running more or less on time, but if you’re heading to the West Coast or South Florida, check your app before you leave the house. The FAA is reporting taxi delays of about 15 to 45 minutes for certain departures due to volume and gate holds in other cities.
The Avelo Pivot
We also have to talk about Avelo Airlines. They’ve been making headlines this week for basically gutting their RDU base. While they aren't "leaving" entirely, they are closing the crew base here. If you noticed fewer Avelo tails on the tarmac today, that’s why. They are shifting focus to smaller secondary airports like New Haven and Lakeland.
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Actionable Tips for Navigating RDU Right Now
If you have a flight out of RDU this evening or tomorrow morning, don't just wing it.
- Check Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2: Remember that Southwest and Breeze are in Terminal 1. Almost everyone else (Delta, American, United, etc.) is in Terminal 2. Don't let the construction walls in T2 confuse you if you're actually supposed to be in T1.
- Download the "RDU" App: It’s actually decent for real-time parking updates. If you see Premier hit 98%, just head straight for Economy 3.
- The 2-Hour Rule is Real: Usually, you can breeze through RDU in 20 minutes. Not today. With the construction barriers and the high passenger volume, the TSA lines are pulsing. Give yourself the full two hours.
- Food Options: Most of the construction is "landside" (before security), so once you get through the checkpoint, your favorite spots like La Tapitía or Raleigh Beer Garden are still wide open.
RDU is definitely in its "awkward teenage years" where it's growing faster than it can keep up with. It's loud, it's a bit confusing, and the parking is a headache, but the fact that we’re getting more direct flights to places like Newburgh and international destinations makes the dust worth it. Just keep an eye on those flight boards and maybe bring some noise-canceling headphones to drown out the Terminal 2 drilling.
Check your specific flight status on the RDU official tracker or your airline's app before heading to the airport to avoid waiting in the terminal for delayed departures.