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Raleigh-Durham's Terminal 2 Is Open Just in Time for the NHL All-Star Game

A few years ago, we got to take a sneak peek inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s brand new terminal, and since then we’ve been in and out of it several times and have always been pleased. However, we’ve been eager to see what was behind the construction wall, as the second half of the terminal has been under construction for quite some time. Well, over the weekend things finally opened up to traffic—and just in time too—as hockey’s best players and fans are headed to the North Carolina’s Triangle for this year’s NHL All-Star Game.

This time we’re not on hand to check things out for ourselves, but we’re expecting a mirror image of the first half of the renovated Terminal 2—which is a good thing. High, soaring ceilings allow for plenty of waiting space for Continental and US Airways passengers as they will no longer be stuck in the outdated—and kind of smelly—Terminal 1. All in all, the new place cost around $600 million to build, so it’s only natural to expect the best of the best.

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Airports / T5 at JFK / T2 at RDU / ORD / SEA / LAS / IAD / → All Tags

Why Are Passengers Footing The Bill For All These Shiny, New Terminals?

Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles and Seattle-Tacoma are all paving new runways. The airport in Detroit just opened a new terminal, as did JetBlue, of course, with its long-awaited T5 at JFK (pictured). Since airlines seem to perpetually do the exact opposite of what’s good for them, we have to wonder whether pouring money into cushier digs on the ground really improves the process of flying for those who matter: Us.

Since congestion seems to be easing on its own, what with the increasing popularity of the delusional "staycation," it seems a bit frivolous for struggling airlines to continually unveil glistening, futuristic new terminals every few months. Passengers end up paying for these sweeping structures filled with interlocking corrugated iron and panoramic views of the tarmac. Whereas landing fees were less than $5 per ticket a few years ago, now they’re up to about $8. At the airport in St. Louis, with one of the most underused terminals anywhere, passengers end up paying an extra $13.

Executives at Southwest Airlines, which slowed its terminal expansions in the late 1990s, are particularly critical of the trend. Bob Montgomery, Southwest's VP of Properties, argued that the third terminal planned for McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas will basically screw over struggling consumers with unnecessary fees. The projects are "spending other people's money," added the company’s CEO, Gary Kelly. You tell ‘em, Gary.

Related Stories:
· US Airports Grow Apace, but the Timing Seems Off [IHT]
· New Terminals Travel: A Sneak Peak at T2 at RDU [Jaunted]
· New Detroit Terminal React-O-Matic [Jaunted]

[Photo: interpolactic]

Airports / T2 at RDU / RDU / → All Tags

New Terminals Travel: A Sneak Peak at T2 at RDU

There's nothing quite like spending the day at the airport when you have no intention of flying anywhere. Yet that's where we were over the weekend as the Raleigh-Durham International Airport flung open the doors on its new Terminal 2.

Families, business travelers and dorks like us were all on-hand to check things out and figure out where to charge the laptop before take-off. (Answer: At the copious plugs found at every gate.) There was a pretty good turnout, and airport staff provided novelty boarding passes and event programs.

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Airports / T2 at RDU / RDU / → All Tags

New Terminals Travel: Raleigh Aiport Hosting Weekend Open House

While we wait for the now-delayed opening of JFK's new T5, Raleigh-Durham International is wooing airport dorks with an open house on Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.

The new $570 million Terminal 2 at RDU will open in two phases. The party this weekend is in the North Concourse, which will have a dozen restaurants, 19 gates, two large art installations and seating areas with plentiful standard and USB power outlets. The airport is also planning family activities, live music and prize giveaways for the open house.

T2 officially opens on October 26, when American, Delta, United and Air Canada move in. Continental and US Airways are scheduled to join them by the end of 2011.

Related Stories:
· RDU Terminal 2 [Official Site]
· JetBlue Terminal 5 Opening Pushed Back! [Jaunted]