RDU in 1972. Stolen from FB.
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Ah yes, I remember it well. Walking across the tarmac between planes and terminal, waiting in the baggage shed, watching the men drive up with our bags. It was a big deal when they enclosed the baggage shed, lol. Good memories.
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So those plans would be Eastern Airlines ?
Air Canada to Vancouver just announced, starting June 5.
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Why couldn’t they have done this sooner. Just got back from Vancouver and the Layover in Newark was awful with multiple delays. Direct flight would have been amazing, but Vancouver is worth the hassle.
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That’s what it looked like when we moved from California in 1974, and I remember well having to pick up our luggage outside when the airport staff drove up with it! I just don’t remember that area being called the baggage shed!
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RDU really needs to consider another terminal that is focused on international travel, methinks. We could new lounges for sure.
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Well, shed was my word, lol. I don’t recall what it was officially called.
Part of the Terminal 2 landside expansion project includes adding space to the Federal Inspection Station (Customs).
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Absolutely something that is necessary, although this has no effect on the YVR flight as it already has precedence.
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RDU already has lounges for SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and OneWorld. Given the current limited international travel, I’m not sure there’s a need for additional lounges at this time.
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Plus, many incoming Canadian flights clear immigration and customs before boarding for the states at their departure airport.
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These are great for super frequent flyers and first class only and you primarily fly US carriers. US based airlines are garbage tier, especially for international flights. These programs are design to make it hard to qualify in other way. At least with foreign branded lounges they have more leeway and ways to qualify for lounge access.
I flew Lufthansa recently from RDU to Newark to Munich using the cheapest reward class you can get.
Could not use any louge at RDU but could use the Lufthansa lounge at Newark thanks to my Amex Platinum membership.
Centurion or partner lounge or Chase Sapphire lounge or even one that accepts priority pass would be great for thoses that aren’t frequent fliers nor take many business class trips.
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The reason Newark has a Lufthansa lounge while Raleigh does not is due to Newark’s greater connectivity and premium traffic. Newark offers daily Lufthansa flights to Frankfurt and Munich, and as a hub, it also hosts flights from Lufthansa Group subsidiaries such as Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines. Additionally, other Star Alliance carriers, including Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Air China, and EgyptAir, contribute to lounge demand and revenue. Furthermore, Lufthansa operates a 747 with First Class on the Newark-Frankfurt route, enhancing the value proposition for providing a luxury experience.
Raleigh does not have a Priority Pass lounge, likely due to insufficient demand for a non-affiliated lounge. Suggesting the airport should have a lounge for passengers who aren’t frequent flyers or business class travelers overlooks key factors. RDU is not a major layover hub, meaning most passengers are local origin or destination travelers. As a result, the willingness to pay $35+ for a brief pre-flight lounge visit is limited, especially when alternative amenities in the terminal may suffice for casual travelers.
Centurion lounges typically require airport traffic of almost three times Raleigh’s current passenger volume. For example, Charlotte, which serves over 50 million passengers annually, has a Centurion Lounge but Boston Airport which serves 42 million does not.
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I have flown millions of miles and my fair share of international, and I can probably count on 1 hand the number of times I’ve been in a lounge. Even when I’ve flown premium/business/first and had access, I’ve never really had the time. For me, these lounges are best when you have a long layover or a delay.
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Why would anyone who lives in Raleigh need a lounge at RDU?
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Maybe it’s nicer than their home.
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My two-bedroom downtown townhome is better than most, thank you. Raleigh community unwillingness to champion for more things and benefits and city amenities is probably why we don’t get many things other cities have.
You’ll never see the Charlotte development community be okay with just good enough. Probably why they’re building a signature downtown library while we’re just okay with one 2 miles away–that’s not a good as Cary’s new downtown library.
Some of us are, or married to spouses, who build in LOTS of extra time before flights just in case something goes wrong. I’ve been at airports 4 hours before flights. Don’t ask. The one thing I can assure of is we did not miss our flight. Lounges are darn nice then. By the time you’ve bought a couple drinks and a snack, you’ve paid for a day pass at many places.
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