On February 4, 2008, Southwest Airlines began daily nonstop service between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Fort Lauderdale. As the gateway to South Florida, which includes Miami and West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale has many leisure attractions. Business synergies also exist between this region of Florida and the Resarch Triangle Region.

Venice in Florida? Fort Lauderdale is a canal-laced city that is a far cry from its spring break party image of the past. Following renovation and renewal, upscale stores and restaurants have replaced fast-food stands and T-shirt shops. But the stretch of gorgeous beaches, great swimming, nearly year-round sunshine and close-to-ideal climate are the city’s biggest draws. For great shopping and dining, stroll down Las Olas Boulevard, which is lined with boutiques and restaurants. Nightlife lovers flock to the nearby Riverfront area, packed with bars and free entertainment.

Approximately 400 people a day travel between South Florida and the immediate region served by RDU. South Florida has been an underserved nonstop market since the termination of Midway Airlines operations in fall 2001. With the addition of this year-round service, the airline will offer 33 daily departures from RDU to eight destinations.

Southwest Flight Schedule to Fort Lauderdale

• Alligator Adventures Camp out with alligators or at least learn more about them. The Everglades Holiday Park offers airboat rides through grassy rivers, alligator shows, exotic bird watching, nature tours and campgrounds. Phone: (954) 434-8111
• Cruise to Win Find lady luck on the open seas. Cruise the Atlantic while gambling, dancing and sipping delicious cocktails aboard the eight-deck Sea Escape. Phone: (954) 453-3333
• Arts Applause The Broward Center for Performing Arts takes Broadway to the beach. This $52M complex features ballet performances, pop concerts and musicals. Phone: (954) 462-0222
• Culture Clique Home to 1,200 works of art and 50 sculptures by famous artists, The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale also offers an array of performances and classes. Open Wednesday - Monday, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Phone: (954) 525-5500
• Out of this World One of the most advanced planetariums in the country, Broward Community College Buehler Planetarium brings the stars to you. Take in the planetarium show, then star gaze through one of the center's powerful telescopes. Planetarium shows plays 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Phone: (954) 475-6680

Following is the schedule for JetBlue’s service to Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

With the addition of service to Fort Lauderdale, JetBlue will offer five daily departures from RDU. The airline currently flies three daily flights to New York’s Kennedy airport and one daily flight to Boston.