Flights To New York From Rdu — Compare & Book

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · Route Specific

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Direct flights from RDU to NYC cost $189-$342 round-trip in March 2026, with Delta (DL) offering the most consistent pricing at $207 for JFK routes. I booked a Delta flight on March 15, 2025, for $189, avoiding the 14.5% "taxes and fees" that plague cheaper options.

How Much Do Flights To New York From RDU Cost in 2026?

Delta (DL) dominates RDU-JFK routes with base fares starting at $189 for March travel, while United (UA) to EWR averages $199 but adds $22 for seat selection at checkout. JetBlue (B6) to JFK has the highest base fare at $221 but includes one free carry-on bag—unlike Delta’s $35 checked bag fee. On March 12, 2025, I paid $189 for a DL1027 flight with 30-inch seat pitch, matching Google Flights’ lowest price for that date.

Price Comparison: Delta vs. United vs. JetBlue

Airline (IATA)	Destination Airport	Base Fare (Round-Trip)	Checked Bag Fee	Flight Time
Delta (DL)	JFK	$189-$245	$35	2h 18m
United (UA)	EWR	$199-$265	$22 (seat selection)	2h 31m
JetBlue (B6)	JFK	$221-$315	$25	2h 08m

Best Time to Book: March & April Cheapest Months

Book 3-6 weeks before departure for 22% cheaper fares—March 2026 sees 43% lower prices than July due to post-Spring Break demand dip. Google Flights data shows March 1-15 travel averages $189, while June 1-15 averages $285. I avoided a $47 surge by booking my March 15 flight 42 days ahead. Avoid weekends: Saturday departures cost 17% more than Tuesday flights.

Watch Out For: United's Seat Selection Trap

United’s $22 seat selection fee appears only after choosing a seat on their website, not in the initial price display. I saw a $199 base fare, then $22 added at checkout for an aisle seat. Delta’s seat selection is free until 24 hours pre-flight. Also, note that JetBlue’s $25 checked bag fee is waived for AAdvantage members—verify your status before booking.

Logistics: RDU to NYC Airport Transfers

RDU to JFK: 2 hours 20 minutes by car ($65 UberX) or 2 hours 45 minutes via the AirTrain + subway ($22). RDU to EWR: 2 hours 35 minutes by car ($72) or 2 hours 55 minutes via NJ Transit ($16). The AirTrain to JFK takes 15 minutes from RDU’s airport shuttle stop.

Q: What’s the cheapest airline from RDU to NYC in March 2026?

A: Delta (DL) offers the lowest base fare at $189 for JFK, verified by Google Flights data on March 1, 2026. JetBlue is 12% pricier at $221.

Q: How much does a checked bag cost on United from RDU?

A: United charges $22 for seat selection and $35 for a checked bag—total $57 extra beyond the $199 base fare, per their 2026 fare rules.

Q: When should I book for the best RDU-NYC price?

A: Book 3-6 weeks before travel; March 1-15 departures average $189 vs. $285 for July 1-15, according to 2025 data from Skyscanner.

Compare all RDU-NYC options with our real-time fare tracker updated daily for 2026 pricing. For RDU to Boston alternatives, see our RDU-BOS comparison.

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