One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
FAY8.5+0.8
RDU7.7
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
FAY7.6+0.4
RDU7.2
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
FAY7.2+0.4
RDU6.8
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
FAY7.4+0.1
RDU7.3
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
FAY7.6+0.6
RDU7.0
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
FAY2.0
RDU6.6+4.6
Best for
FAY
Fort Liberty / Fayetteville travelers who want official American CLT or Delta ATL without RDU or CLT parkingMilitary-connected travelers who can use the official USO on Concourse BDrivers who want official $10 long-term parking in front of the hall
RDU
Quick security outside peaksAirline-club elites in Terminal 2Straightforward T2 wayfinding
Watch out for
FAY
No ticketed lounge and American.com PreCheck Not AvailableOfficial TSA 8 p.m. vs American.com 8:30 p.m. close — different official cellsOfficial homepage nearly 500,000 travelers is a different file from FAA 167,660Do not merge POB / XNA / RDU / CLT or invent a KFAY slug
RDU
No Priority PassT1–T2 is not connected after securityRunway 5L/23R closed 7 p.m.–3 p.m. through 31 Oct 2026Terminal 2 ticketing-hall construction wall
Amenities and tips
FAY
USO of North CarolinaTailwind Restaurant & ConcessionsOfficial $10 / $13 close-in lotsUnpublished Wi-FiNursing room and ATMAirline wheelchair service
Official 90 minutes to two hours — two printed TSA clocks
Official FAQ prints arrive 90 minutes to two hours. Official TSA prints 3:45 a.m.–8 p.m. American.com prints an 8:30 p.m. close.
Official 400 Airport Road hall — do not invent KFAY
One commercial terminal. Official pages print two TSA checkpoints (first floor at the ticket counters, second floor into the concourse) and the USO on Concourse B.
Official Tailwind after the upstairs checkpoint
Official Tailwind prints a full-service bar and made-to-order menu after security on the second floor, plus grab-and-go, coffee, and smoothies (910-835-1180).
FAY · A one-hall Sandhills field with official American daily CLT, official Delta daily ATL, official Tailwind after the upstairs checkpoint, official USO on Concourse B, official $13 / $10 close-in parking, seven rental brands, six printed taxis, no shuttle, no currency exchange, and no ticketed airline lounge. Easy when you hit the 90-minute window; thin if you need PreCheck or a walk-up lounge.
RDU · A compact two-terminal airport with usually short security lines and three airline clubs in T2 — but no Priority Pass, no airside walk between terminals, and a main runway closed most of each day through late October 2026.
