
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA, ICAO: KDCA, FAA LID: DCA) is a public airport in Arlington County, Virginia, United States, five miles (eight kilometres; four nautical miles) from Washington, D.C. The airport, which is the closest to the nation's capital, is one of two airports operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) that serve the Washington metropolitan area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| Former Name | Washington National Airport |
| Location | Arlington County, Virginia, United States |
| Distance from Washington, D.C. | 5 miles (8 km) |
| Owner | Federal government |
| Operator | Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority |
| Other airports operated by MWAA | Washington Dulles International Airport |
| Year opened | 1941 |
| Year renamed | 1998 |
| Renamed after | Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Year of Terminal 2 opening | 1997 |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair rentals, public restroom access, etc. |
| Transport options | Metro (Blue and Yellow lines), taxi, ridesharing apps, driving |
| Number of nonstop flight destinations | 100+ |
| Number of airlines | 8 |
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What You'll Learn

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located in Virginia
The airport was opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport. In 1998, it was renamed in honour of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who served from 1981 to 1989. The airport has two terminals, with the original terminal still in use as Terminal 1 and a larger second terminal, opened in 1997, known as Terminal 2.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of two airports serving the Washington metropolitan area that are operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). The other is the Dulles International Airport, located about 25 miles west in Fairfax and Loudoun counties.
The airport offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations on eight airlines and is accessible via its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines. It is also served by taxi services, rideshare apps, and has parking available for those who drive to the airport.
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The airport is 5 miles from Washington, D.C
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located in Arlington County, Virginia, just five miles from Washington, D.C. It is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is one of three major airports in the Washington, D.C. region, along with Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
The airport is easily accessible, with its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines. It also has multiple garages and parking lots for those who prefer to drive. For a more premium experience, travellers can book a greeter through Air General Traveler Services, which provides interline transfer connections, baggage and porter services, and even arrangements for airport shopping assistance.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is also the airport you're most likely to spot senators and representatives at, as it is the closest airport to Washington, D.C. The airport offers nonstop flights to 100-plus destinations on eight airlines.
The airport opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport. In 1998, Congress passed a bill to rename the airport in honour of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
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It is the closest airport to the nation's capital
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located just across the Potomac River in Virginia and is the closest airport to the nation's capital. It is one of three major airports in the Washington, DC region, along with Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Reagan National Airport is the closest airport not only to Washington, DC, but also to Georgetown, and is the only one with metro access. It is accessible via its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines.
Reagan National Airport is located just 6 miles from the center of Washington, DC. The airport offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations on eight airlines. It is also the airport where you are most likely to spot senators and representatives heading home to their districts.
Dulles International Airport is located 26 miles from DC in suburban Virginia. It is the largest of the three Washington, DC-area airports and has the most flights, especially for international travelers. It is a major hub for United Airlines and offers nonstop domestic and international flights to nearly 157 destinations on about 40 airlines.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the farthest from DC, as it is closer to Baltimore, but some airlines offer cheaper fares there. It has international and domestic flights from Baltimore, Maryland, and is 35 miles from Washington, DC.
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The airport is accessible via the Blue and Yellow metro lines
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located in Arlington County, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is one of the three major airports in the Washington, D.C. region, along with Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
The airport is easily accessible via the Washington Metro, with its own dedicated Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines. The Blue Line connects the airport to downtown Washington, D.C., and other destinations in the region, while the Yellow Line provides a direct connection to nearby cities like Crystal City and Alexandria, Virginia.
Taking the Metro is a convenient and affordable option for travellers. The Blue Line offers a direct connection to the heart of Washington, D.C., making it a popular choice for those travelling to and from the airport. With comfortable and spacious trains, travellers can relax and enjoy the ride while taking in the diverse scenery along the way.
The Yellow Line, on the other hand, is ideal for those who need to connect to other forms of transportation or wish to explore the nearby areas. It provides easy access to Union Station, which is the main train station in Washington, D.C., offering Amtrak and regional rail services. Additionally, the Yellow Line intersects with the Red Line, providing further connectivity to destinations throughout the city and surrounding areas.
For travellers arriving at or departing from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the Blue and Yellow Metro lines offer a seamless and efficient travel experience. With regular services and convenient connections, getting to and from the airport, as well as navigating the Washington, D.C. area, becomes a breeze.
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The airport is one of three major airports in the Washington, D.C. region
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is one of three major airports in the Washington, D.C. region. The airport is located in Arlington County, Virginia, five miles (eight kilometres) from Washington, D.C. It is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is owned by the federal government. The airport was originally named Washington National Airport and opened in 1941. In 1998, it was renamed in honour of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is another major airport in the region and is located about 25-26 miles from Washington, D.C., in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, Virginia. Dulles Airport is the primary international airport for the D.C. region, offering nearly 150 nonstop domestic and international destinations on about 40 airlines. It is a major hub for United Airlines.
The third major airport in the Washington, D.C. region is the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). This airport is located in Baltimore, Maryland, about 30 miles from Washington, D.C. It offers a range of domestic and international flights and is a focus city for several major airlines, including Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.
Each of these three airports offers different advantages and serves a unique role in the Washington, D.C. region's aviation network. Reagan National Airport, being the closest to the capital, is popular among government officials and offers convenient access to downtown D.C. through its own Metro stop. Dulles International Airport, being further away, serves as the region's primary international airport and offers a broader range of domestic and international destinations. BWI, located in Baltimore, serves a dual role by also catering to the Baltimore metropolitan area.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located in Arlington County, Virginia.
The airport is five miles (eight kilometres) from Washington, D.C.
Yes, it is the closest airport to the nation's capital.
The airport's codes are DCA (IATA and FAA LID) and KDCA (ICAO).
The airport opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport.































