Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines began service from North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) on May 2, 2019, launching with seven new daily, domestic routes.
The first Spirit flights at RDU — the air hub for the Research Triangle region — departed for Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Boston, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, Chicago, and Orlando.
The airline will fly twice daily from RDU to BWI; the other flights depart once daily. All routes will operate year-round and be served by Spirit’s A320 jets.
Spirit already flies from two other North Carolina airports — Piedmont Triad and Asheville — and will begin service to Charlotte on June 20.
“In less than a year, Spirit has gone from no footprint in the state to serving four destinations by June 20,” said Ted Christie, Spirit Airlines’ president and CEO.
“We are happy to welcome Spirit Airlines as the newest carrier connecting the Research Triangle community to the world,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority.
“Spirit’s low fares and suite of nonstop destinations will add to the world-class airport experience business and leisure travelers expect from RDU.”
Spirit also plans to launch new service to Burbank and Sacramento, California, on June 20.
