If you’re traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, be prepared for delays at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). A record number of travelers is expected to come through the airport so don’t be surprised if it takes a bit longer to get to your flight. If you’re traveling on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday, you’ll need to be extra patient.
The good news is that there will be something to keep you entertained while you’re waiting to get on the plane: free internet service. RDU has spent six figures on equipment, systems, and internet providers to make sure the internet connection at terminals works well. The bandwidth has been increased from 5 megabits per second to 50.
So, bring your laptop or phone and charger so you can make the most out of the new speedy internet connection while you wait for your Thanksgiving flight. Besides bringing your tech gear, make sure you arrive at least two hours before your scheduled departure if you’re traveling nationally and three hour if you’re going abroad.
If you’d like to make parking easier, you can book a parking spot before you arrive at the airport. Or, you can visit www.rdu.com/parking before you leave to figure out which lots and decks have availability. Keep in mind that there will be parts of the parking deck suspended from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving until January 6th.
Traveling with kids? You may want to sign up for TSA precheck to expedite the security process. If possible, you may also want to ask a friend or family member or Uber for a ride to the airport so you can get dropped off at the curb and don’t have to worry about parking. Also, pack plenty of snacks, pillows, blankets, and entertainment so your kids are comfortable and entertained before, during, and after your flight.
Now that you know what to expect at RDU, you should be able to enjoy a smooth trip this Thanksgiving holiday.
