You can also take an international flight to Washington/Dulles and then connect to a (terrible, but short) regional jet flight to RDU. Also, even though it's out of the way, maybe Delta via Atlanta.

Be careful when going via NYC as it is possible that your international flight may arrive at JFK and your connection might be scheduled from LGA. You do not want to do that -- especially on the return flight, you could miss your connection.

If you like driving, Dulles is about a 5 hour drive from Durham (but don't get off a trans-Atlantic flight and immediately drive 5 hours!).

During winter and spring, regional jet flights are often delayed, even canceled, due to weather, when larger aircraft are on schedule. So check that out carefully.

Unfortunately, there aren't many non-regional jet flights to RDU from other east coast destinations. Maybe Delta from Atlanta. Or Southwest from BWI. And some US Air flights to RDU use larger aircraft.