Ruth Haines
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, also known as Reagan Airport, Reagan National, or National Airport, is located in Arlington County, Virginia, and is the closest airport to Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The airport's code, DCA, is used as a shorthand name for the airport, which serves as a popular transportation hub for tourists and locals alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| IATA Code | DCA |
| ICAO Code | KDCA |
| FAA LID | DCA |
| Location | Arlington County, Virginia, United States |
| Distance from Washington, D.C. | 4-5 miles |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Concourses | 5 |
| Gates | 59-60 |
| Annual passenger traffic | 23.9 million (pre-COVID-19) |
| Destinations | 100+ across the U.S. and Canada |
| Restaurants | CAVA |
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What You'll Learn
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
The airport first opened in 1941 as Washington National Airport, and part of the original terminal, which was expanded in 1997, is still in use as Terminal 1 today. A second, larger terminal, known as Terminal 2, was also opened in 1997. In 1998, the airport was renamed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in honour of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who served from 1981 to 1989. The legislation to change the name was signed by President Bill Clinton on 6th February 1998, on what would have been Reagan's 87th birthday.
The airport is easily accessible by various means of transportation. It is connected to the WMATA airport station via indoor pedestrian bridges, and it can also be reached by bicycle or on foot from the Mount Vernon Trail or the sidewalk along the Airport Viaduct (State Route 233), which links to U.S. Route 1. The airport also has a Capital Bikeshare station, making it a pioneer in this regard.
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DCA's location and history
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA, ICAO: KDCA, FAA LID: DCA) is a public airport in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. It is about five miles (eight kilometres) from Washington, D.C., across the Potomac River. DCA is the closest airport to Washington, D.C., the capital of the U.S., and is a popular transportation hub for tourists and locals, including senators and representatives.
The airport opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport. The first official landing was observed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The original terminal is still in use as Terminal 1, while a larger second terminal, Terminal 2, opened in 1997. In 1998, the airport was renamed in honour of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who was in office from 1981 to 1989.
The site of the airport is rich in historical significance, dating back to colonial days. The area, known as Gravelly Point, is where Captain John Alexander built a home called "Abingdon" in 1746. Abingdon was a colonial plantation and the birthplace of President George Washington's granddaughter, Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis. It was destroyed by fire in 1930 and the ruins were stabilised. In 1998, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) preserved the site and created an exhibit of artifacts in Terminal A.
The airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years. In 2018, MWAA began construction of a new concourse north of Terminal 2, adding 14 new regional jet gates and bringing the total number of gates at DCA to 60. The individual security checkpoints for the four concourses in Terminal 2 were replaced with higher-capacity checkpoints in two new buildings, allowing passengers to walk between concourses without re-clearing security.
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Terminals, gates and concourses
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is the smaller of the two, with nine gates numbered A1 to A9. It primarily serves Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Frontier, and Southwest Airlines. Terminal 1 is a single-level terminal, with ticketing desks and baggage areas located at the far end of the curve. Passengers can also find a USO Lounge, a conference centre, and access to an underground walkway to the parking lot. Terminal 1 has its own security checkpoint near the entrance, which offers a TSA PreCheck lane.
Terminal 2, on the other hand, is significantly larger and features four concourses: B, C, D, and E. Gates in these concourses are numbered from B10 to E59. Terminal 2 houses a variety of airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, American, JetBlue, and American Eagle. Concourse B, which serves Alaska Airlines, Delta, and United, offers the Bracket Room dining option and the Delta Sky Club lounge. Concourse C, home to American and JetBlue, features an American Admirals Club lounge near gate C24. Concourses D and E are exclusive to American and American Eagle, respectively, and also offer American Admirals Clubs near gates D36 and E47. Terminal 2 has multiple security checkpoints, including one at the entrance and others near the gates, all equipped with TSA PreCheck lanes.
The two terminals at DCA are not connected post-security, so passengers need to ensure they arrive at the correct terminal for their flight. However, passengers can navigate between the terminals outside the secure area by using the terminal shuttle bus or by walking via a walkway. Additionally, DCA offers a variety of dining options, ranging from Asian to American cuisine, as well as free Wi-Fi in the terminal and concourse areas. Charging stations are also available throughout the airport, including at restaurants and departure gates.
In recent years, DCA has undergone construction projects to expand and improve its facilities. In 2021, a new concourse north of Terminal 2 was completed, adding 14 new regional jet gates and bringing the total number of gates at DCA to 60. The security checkpoints for the four concourses in Terminal 2 were also replaced with higher-capacity checkpoints, allowing passengers to walk between concourses without re-clearing security.
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Transport and accessibility
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located in Arlington County, Virginia, just five miles from Washington, D.C. As the closest airport to the nation's capital, it offers a range of transport options for passengers and is accessible to all.
By Air
The airport has two terminals with a total of 59-60 gates. Terminal 1 has nine gates, while Terminal 2 has 50-51 gates across four concourses. The airport is one of two in the Washington metropolitan area operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the other being Dulles International Airport, 25 miles away.
By Road
The airport is accessible by car, with parking garages located near the terminals. It can also be reached by bicycle or on foot from the Mount Vernon Trail and the sidewalk along the Airport Viaduct (State Route 233), which connects to U.S. Route 1. The airport provides 48 bike parking spots and is the first major airport in the US to have a Capital Bikeshare station.
Public Transport
The airport is served by the WMATA airport station, with indoor pedestrian bridges connecting directly to Concourse B-D in Terminal 2. The DC Metro system is also one of the most accessible in the world, offering a range of services for mobility-challenged visitors, including a downloadable guide to accessible transportation options.
Ride-Sharing
Ride-sharing services such as Uber, Lyft, and ALTO are available at the airport. Passengers can use their smartphones to select the appropriate pick-up zone and coordinate with their driver. Green flags outside the terminals designate the designated loading areas.
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Facilities and amenities
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is a public airport in Arlington County, Virginia, United States, five miles (eight kilometres) from Washington, D.C. It is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is one of two airports operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) that serve the Washington metropolitan area.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has a range of facilities and amenities for passengers. The airport has two terminals (A and B) with 59 to 60 gates and five concourses. The terminals are accessible by a shuttle bus or on foot via a walkway outside the secure area. There are several airport lounges at the airport, including seven or eight passenger lounges, and three Admirals Clubs. The United Club can be accessed by purchasing a day pass. The airport also has a USO lounge and a conference centre.
Dining and refreshment options are plentiful, with a variety of well-known food establishments represented. For snacks and fast food, passengers will find Auntie Anne's, McDonald's, Starbucks, and Ranch 1. For sit-down dining, there's TGI Fridays, California Pizza Kitchen, and Matsutake Sushi. Alcoholic drinks can be found at the Federal Tavern and Foggy Bottom Brew Pub.
The airport also has a range of other amenities, including nine ATMs from Chevy Chase Bank, regular bank facilities, and bureau de change services provided by Travelex. The North Customer Service Centre provides a variety of postal services, and the Customer Service centres in terminals B and C offer business services, including fax and photocopy machines and laptop plug-in areas.
The airport is accessible by bicycle and foot from the Mount Vernon Trail and the sidewalk along the Airport Viaduct (State Route 233), which connects to U.S. Route 1. There are 48 bike parking spots available across six separate bike racks, and the airport has a Capital Bikeshare station, making it the first major airport in the United States with a dock-based bikeshare programme.
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Frequently asked questions
DCA.
2401 Smith Blvd., Arlington, VA 22202.
The airport has 2 terminals.
The phone number is 703-417-8000.
