Reagan National Airport: Navigating The Busy Terminals

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a bustling hub, serving a large number of passengers annually. With three security checkpoints and a limited number of international flights, the airport offers a unique culinary experience and efficient travel with CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck. The airport's official website provides security wait times and live roadway traffic maps, aiding travellers in planning their journeys.

Security wait times

During an early Friday morning, wait times at the Terminal 2 North checkpoint fluctuated from 8 minutes to more than 25 minutes, with similar wait times reported at the Terminal 2 South checkpoint. In general, Reagan National Airport is considered a smaller and less busy airport compared to others such as San Francisco and Chicago. One traveller commented that they couldn't remember the last time it took them even 25 minutes to get through security, although they noted that Terminal A tends to have longer lines.

To expedite the security screening process, passengers can enrol in the TSA PreCheck program, which is available at Terminal A, Terminal B South, and Terminal C North checkpoints within DCA. This program allows members to keep their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, as well as keep their laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in their carry-on bags during security checks. Additionally, passengers can sign up for CLEAR Plus, which offers faster security clearance and shorter lines with dedicated CLEAR lanes.

To check current security wait times at Reagan National Airport, passengers can view large digital directory boards near each checkpoint or check online or on the DC Airports mobile app. The My TSA application also provides data on airport security wait times and allows travellers to check and post airport delays in real time. It's recommended to also contact your airline for information on ticket counter wait times and any potential changes to your flight schedule.

TSA PreCheck

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a busy airport with a range of amenities and services to enhance the traveller experience. One such service is the TSA PreCheck program, which can help to expedite security screening for enrolled customers.

To enrol in TSA PreCheck, you can either pre-enrol online through CLEAR and complete your application at the airport, or you can visit the TSA PreCheck Enrollment Centre located next to baggage claim 6 in Terminal 2. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 pm and 12:30 pm to 4 pm, and it is closed on holidays. While walk-ins are accepted, customers with appointments are given priority.

CLEAR is a separate program that offers a seamless airport experience by allowing members to verify their identity with a biometric scan of their finger or eye at any security checkpoint. CLEAR Plus members also have access to the Ambassador Assist service, which provides personalized guidance throughout the airport.

CLEAR Plus

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a busy airport, and CLEAR Plus is a service that can help travellers get through it faster. CLEAR Plus is a paid membership service that allows members to move faster through airport security in designated CLEAR lanes at TSA checkpoints. Members can verify their identity at a CLEAR pod using their face, eyes, or fingerprints, and then proceed through the dedicated CLEAR Plus lane. This service is available at 59 airports nationwide, including Reagan National, and can be used in conjunction with TSA PreCheck for even faster clearance.

At Reagan National Airport, CLEAR Plus members can use the dedicated CLEAR Plus lane in the International Terminal and then take the Plane Train to their gate, even if they are flying domestically. It is important to note that if flying domestically with an airline other than Delta Air Lines, members must check their bags at the domestic terminal.

Roadway traffic

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a public airport in Arlington County, Virginia, United States, approximately five miles from Washington, D.C. As the closest airport to the nation's capital, it experiences a high volume of roadway traffic.

The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing traffic and address safety concerns. In the 1990s, the airport initiated an extensive renovation and expansion project to address limited space in the aging main terminal. This included the construction of a new concourse north of Terminal 2, completed in 2021, which added 14 new regional jet gates with jetways, bringing the total number of gates to 60. Additionally, the security checkpoints for the four concourses in Terminal 2 were replaced with higher-capacity checkpoints, improving passenger flow and reducing congestion.

The high volume of traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport can lead to delays for both arriving and departing flights. A Traffic Management Program has been implemented due to low ceilings, causing arriving flights to be delayed by an average of 20 minutes, sometimes exceeding an hour. These delays can have a knock-on effect on departing flight schedules as well.

To mitigate traffic congestion and improve the flow of vehicles around the airport, the airport authority has implemented various measures. These include optimising roadway layouts, providing clear signage, and utilising traffic management systems. Additionally, the airport encourages the use of public transportation, with convenient connections to the Metro system via pedestrian bridges, helping to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads.

Despite these efforts, roadway traffic remains a challenge during peak hours and busy travel seasons. The airport continues to explore ways to enhance traffic management and improve the overall travel experience for passengers and visitors.

Student travel

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is laid out in the shape of a J, with 2 terminals and 5 concourses. Gates A1 to A9 are in the smaller of the two terminal buildings, with flights operated by Air Canada, Frontier, and Southwest Airlines. Gates B10 to E59 are situated in the larger terminal. Both terminals offer curbside pickup and drop-off and have parking garages.

The airport is easily accessible by car, with public access roads leading to both terminals. Taxis are available 24/7, and ridesharing services like Lyft, Uber, and Via can also pick up passengers from designated areas. The airport is also served by public transport, with buses stopping outside the terminals.

Reagan National Airport offers a range of dining options, including CAVA, a fast-casual restaurant offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and Ben's Chili Bowl, a historic restaurant that has been in business since 1958.

The airport also offers student tours, providing an exciting behind-the-scenes look at airport operations. Students can marvel at huge aircraft, visit the Airport Operations office to learn about aviation technology and practices, and tour the Airport Fire Station to see emergency response vehicles and firefighting gear. Tours are offered year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, with a minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 25 participants (including chaperones).

During spring 2025, the airport expects busier terminals as students take time off from school and travel.

Frequently asked questions