The Fly Angle: The Official RDU Airport Podcast

In This Episode: RDU recently broke ground on the replacement of its primary runway — but it’s not as simple as just building a new road. RDU’s runway engineer Ron Jewett sits down with co-hosts Jake and Stephanie to talk about “the most important two miles of pavement in North Carolina.” Meanwhile, find out where the airport’s two newest international airlines are set to start flying in 2024.   E...

In This Episode: David Neeleman — founder of jetBlue and other airlines — has made a splash this year at Raleigh-Durham International Airport with his newest venture, Breeze Airways. Neeleman joins the podcast to share the experience, and what he sees next for aviation. Meanwhile, co-hosts Jake and Stephanie cover route planning, Air France’s new flight in North Carolina and more. Episode Guest: D...

In This Episode: It was one of the most-requested service additions at Raleigh-Durham International Airport — and now, CLEAR’s popular identity verification lanes and kiosks are open in both of RDU’s terminals. Co-hosts Jake Potter and Stephanie Hawco sit down with Kyle McLaughlin, senior vice president of operations at CLEAR, to learn about how the service works and why flyers are so eager to sig...

In This Episode: You’ve asked to hear from other airports on the podcast – and this episode, you get to hear about three! First, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter welcome Amanda Ohbayashi, who handles digital marketing for Washington Reagan (DCA) and Dulles (IAD) airports, to learn about aviation in the nation’s capital. Then, Stephanie Kitts joins to recap her tenure leading social media for...

In This Episode: There’s no shortage of work to do each day at a busy international airport. RDU’s new head of recruiting Kirsten Nicholas stops by the studio to talk about the Airport Authority’s plans to hire operations staff, firefighters and other roles, and how people interested in aviation can plan their next career move. Meanwhile, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter talk seat assignment...

In This Episode: During Mike Schoenfeld’s 14 years as Duke’s top communicator, RDU helped the university connect students with learning opportunities in 75 countries. He stops by to tell us how our world-class airport supports the Research Triangle’s world-class colleges and universities. Meanwhile, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Stephanie Hawco talk about jet-setting to Paris, cooking up new dining o...

In This Episode: Architecture and design fans, this episode’s for you. Our resident architect guru Jaymes Carter stops by the podcast studio to talk about what goes into planning, designing and constructing airport terminals, customs stations and other aviation facilities. Meanwhile, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter dive into an RDU history lesson, and cover the newly-relaxed testing require...

In This Episode: With Icelandair’s new nonstop service to the Land of Fire and Ice, RDU added back its first transatlantic flight in more than two years. Co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter go behind-the-scenes with Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason to learn about how the airline chose North Carolina for its newest destination. Later, Visit NC’s Heidi Walters drops in to talk about how the touri...

In This Episode: There’s no shortage of geospatial innovation at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. RDU’s GIS guru Kristin Johnston sits down with The Fly Angle to talk geography, technology and how large airports use maps every day. Meanwhile, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter get ready for two new airlines arriving soon. Episode Guests: Kristin Johnston, GISP is GIS Administrator for the...

In This Episode: Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal writer Scott McCartney recently wrapped up his popular longtime “The Middle Seat” column — and now he’s sitting down with The Fly Angle to talk about what’s in store for airlines, flyers and the future of aviation. Meanwhile, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter trade their favorite airport foods and explore the popular Global Entry pro...

In This Episode: RDU Airport Police Chief Steele Myers talks to co-hosts Jake Potter and Stephanie Hawco about the unique nature of policing at an international airport and shares what RDU is doing to recruit new law enforcement officers. As the hustle and bustle of the holidays brought more than a million travelers through RDU, find out when a new transatlantic flight will launch this spring and...

In This Episode: As John Graves wraps up two decades of service as one of RDU’s operations leaders, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter dive in to hear some great airport stories from his career. Meanwhile, find out what the newly-passed infrastructure bill means for airport capital projects. Episode Guests: John Graves is director of operations for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. An Air...

In This Episode: How do pilots know where to move their aircraft? Co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter dig in with Kyle Mitchell, who leads ramp tower operations at RDU, to learn all about the last mile of air traffic control. Meanwhile, find out where Raleigh-Durham ranks on a new list of top U.S. airports, and learn about what the “U” in RDU actually stands for. Episode Guests: Kyle Mitchell,...

In This Episode: What’s better than a special guest? How about four? Co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter sit down with leaders from Novo Nordisk, the Research Triangle Foundation, Eckel & Vaughan, PNC Arena and the Carolina Hurricanes to find out why their organizations are supporting the new Triangle Takeoff Coalition — and discover the group’s high hopes for accelerating RDU Airport’s rec...

In This Episode: We wanted to know what’s on deck for airports as the industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic — so we went straight to the top. RDU’s President and CEO, Mike Landguth, joins co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter to chat about how he got into aviation, and how the Airport Authority is navigating uncharted skies post-pandemic. Meanwhile, we find out what’s inside a new report f...

In This Episode: It takes a lot of technology to operate a major international airport each day, from the infrastructure you can see to the behind-the-scenes business and security systems. Mary Griffith and Jake Potter catch up with RDU CIO Chuck McFall to learn about how it all works. Meanwhile, as summer travel kicks off, find out how the airport is “turning up the dimmer switch” to meet passeng...

In This Episode: As many flyers return to the skies for the first time, it’s a good time to brush up on what you can and can’t bring to the airport. Transportation Security Administration’s Andrew Small shares insight about what people can expect next time they pass through the checkpoint. Meanwhile, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter gear up for spring break travel – and explore the possibili...

How to Listen and Subscribe: Listen here or find The Fly Angle on your favorite podcast app. In This Episode: Cheers to a popular North Carolina beermaker serving local favorites at RDU! In this episode, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter welcome Kristie Nystedt of Raleigh Brewing Company to the podcast. There’s a new airline taking off at RDU and, as you plan for travel, find out what you nee...

How to Listen and Subscribe: Listen here or find The Fly Angle on your favorite podcast app. In This Episode: Crank up the volume: this episode is about to get loud. Co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter invite RDU’s Noise Officer, John Wiatrak, on the pod to dispel myths about aircraft noise. Meanwhile, a new economic study on North Carolina’s aviation industry yields surprising results, and fly...

How to Listen and Subscribe: Listen here or find The Fly Angle on your favorite podcast app. In This Episode: You made a list, but did you check it twice? As holiday season reaches cruising altitude, RDU’s Mary Griffith and Jake Potter sit down with Director of Concessions Kimberly Stewart to hear about the airport’s focus on recruiting more local shops and restaurants to open for business in the...

In This Episode: The holidays are fast approaching, and the airport is getting ready to welcome Thanksgiving travelers. Co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter respond to listener Airmail, catch up on what’s new at RDU and sit down with Director of Air Service Development Kenneth Strickland to chat about how airports attract airlines and flights – even during COVID-19. Episode Guests: Kenneth Stric...

In This Episode As RDU continues to recover from COVID-19, co-hosts Mary Griffith (Director of Community Affairs) and Jake Potter (Director of Internal Communications) chat about who’s returning to fly – and what they can expect to see on travel day. Special guest Ashley Thorsen from RDU’s Operations team joins the podcast to talk about how the airport community is preparing for an unusually busy...