For further memories, on May 26, 1988, Raleigh-Durham became international with the beginning of RDU-ORY.


American Airlines announces first nonstop flight from North Carolina to Paris.

PR Newswire
May 26, 1988


AMERICAN AIRLINES ANNOUNCES FIRST NONSTOP FLIGHT
FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO PARIS
RALEIGH/DURHAM, N.C., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- At 9:05 p.m. this evening (May 26), a new chapter in North Carolina aviation history will be written when American Airlines Flight 34, a 767 widebody jet, leaves Raleigh/Durham for Paris.
It will be the first nonstop flight from North Carolina to Paris, and the first international service from Raleigh/Durham Airport, whose name will be officially changed to Raleigh/Durham International Airport prior to Flight 34's departure.
The occasion will be marked by ceremonies in American's terminal, to be attended by governmental, civic, airport and airline officials, including North Carolina Governor James Martin and a representative of the French embassy in Washington, D.C.
"This is an historic occasion for the State of North Carolina, for the cities of Raleigh and Durham and for American Airlines," said Wesley G. Kaldahl, American's senior vice president - international. "From this day forward, one of the truly great cities of the world will be just an eight-hour flight away for citizens of this area.
"For American, the Paris service represents a milestone in the growth of our Raleigh/Durham hub, and marks the opening of our fourth U.S. gateway for travel to Europe," Kaldahl said.
American currently offers transatlantic service from its hubs at Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago and from New York.
At ceremonies scheduled for 8 p.m. at American's international departure gate, airline officials will introduce the all-North Carolina cockpit crew who will fly the inaugural Paris flight. The crew includes Captain L.L. "Don" Parker of Raleigh, First Officer R.H. "Bobby" Dail of Goldsboro, N.C., and International Officer Morris H. Spencer of Sophia, N.C.
RDU Airport Chairman Eugene Hardin will preside over the change of the airport's name.
The Raleigh/Durham-Paris service is one of three new transatlantic routes being inaugurated today by American. The others are Dallas/Fort Worth-Madrid and New York-Zurich. "This new service represents a major expansion of American's European route network and solidifies our standing as one of the largest carriers across the Atlantic," Kaldahl said.
American now operates nearly 100 flights a week from the United States to nine European cities.
American will operate the Raleigh/Durham-Paris route with 215-seat 767-300ER international aircraft. The plane has a three-cabin passenger seating arrangement that includes 15 sleeper seats in first class, 36 business class seats and 164 coach seats.
American's Flight 34 will leave Raleigh/Durham each day at 9:05 p.m. and arrive at Paris' Orly Airport at 11:05 a.m. (Paris time) the next day. Westbound, Flight 35 will depart Paris at 2 p.m. and arrive in Raleigh/Durham at 5:25 p.m. the same day.
Westbound passengers will be able to clear U.S. customs and immigration at a new Federal facility located in American's Raleigh/Durham terminal.
/CONTACT: Steve McGregor of American Airlines, 817-355-1594/
kd -34-


AMERICAN AIRLINES TO BEGIN RALEIGH/DURHAM/PARIS NON-STOP SERVICE
DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT, Texas, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines today expressed "great delight" at news from the U.S. Department of Transportation that it has approved American's application to begin Raleigh/Durham/Paris non-stop service May 26.
"This is an outstanding development that clears the way for American to begin the process of making the Raleigh/Durham hub a major international gateway for the entire Southeast," said Lowell C. Duncan Jr., American's vice president-corporate communications.
American will operate the daily non-stop service with widebody 767 aircraft. The eastbound flight will leave Raleigh/Durham at 9:05 p.m. and arrive at Orly International Airport in Paris at 11:05 a.m. (Paris time) the next morning. The return trip will leave Paris at 2 p.m. and arrive at Raleigh/Durham at 5:25 p.m.
The flights will provide convenient access to Paris for more than 20 other major points throughout the Southeast, including a number of destinations in North and South Carolina and in Florida.
/CONTACT: Al Becker of American Airlines, 817-355-1577/