Ruth Haines
Arlington, Virginia, is home to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a public airport located in the Crystal City section of Arlington County. The airport is about 6 miles from the center of Arlington, VA, and is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving 26.29 million passengers in 2024. 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 when it opened in 1941, but was renamed in 1998 in honour of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| IATA | DCA |
| ICAO | KDCA |
| FAA LID | DCA |
| Distance from Washington, D.C. | 5 miles (8 km) or 6 miles |
| Distance from Arlington, VA | 3.3 miles or 4 statute miles (6.4 km) |
| Year opened | 1941 |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of runways | 1 |
| Number of passengers in 2024 | 26.29 million |
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What You'll Learn
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to Arlington, VA
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is 20.9 miles from Arlington, VA
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is 29.3 miles from Arlington, VA
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of the 25 busiest airports in the US
- The airport opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to Arlington, VA
The airport is one of the busiest in the United States, serving 26.29 million passengers in 2024. It offers both international and domestic flights and is known for its convenient location and ease of access. The airport has two terminals, with the original terminal still in use as Terminal 1 and a larger second terminal, known as Terminal 2, which opened in 1997.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has a rich history, originally opening in 1941 as Washington National Airport. In 1998, it was renamed in honour of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. The western part of the airport was once part of a large Virginia plantation, remnants of which can still be found near the airport's Metrorail station.
The airport has gained some controversy due to safety risk concerns, with a recent mid-air collision between a military aircraft and a commercial plane narrowly avoided. However, it remains a popular and convenient option for travellers to and from the Arlington, VA area.
With its proximity to Arlington, VA, and its efficient transportation options, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is an ideal choice for travellers looking for a convenient and accessible airport in the area.
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is 20.9 miles from Arlington, VA
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the second-closest major airport to Arlington, VA, after Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Dulles International Airport is located about 20.9 miles from Arlington, VA.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest airport to Arlington, VA, located about 3 to 6 miles from the city centre. The airport is one of the 25 busiest airports in the US and the busiest in the Washington metropolitan area. It is also one of two airports operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) that serve the Washington metropolitan area. The other is Dulles International Airport, located about 24 to 25 miles from Arlington, VA.
Dulles International Airport is located in Dulles, Virginia, in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The airport offers both international and domestic flights. It is named after John Foster Dulles, the 52nd US Secretary of State, and opened in 1962. Dulles was the first airport in the world where scheduled commercial jet service was predominant.
Arlington, VA, is located directly across the Potomac River from the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. The city is easily navigable by car, metro, bus, foot, or bike, and offers many attractions and hotels.
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Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is 29.3 miles from Arlington, VA
The closest airport to Arlington, VA, is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located just 3 to 6 miles from the centre of Arlington, VA. This airport is one of the 25 busiest airports in the US and the busiest in the Washington metropolitan area. It is also one of the two airports operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) that serve the Washington metropolitan area.
Another major airport near Arlington, VA, is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), which is 29.3 miles from Arlington, VA. This airport serves Baltimore, Maryland, and offers both international and domestic flights. BWI Airport is a good alternative to Reagan National Airport for travellers to and from Arlington, VA.
In addition to Reagan National Airport and BWI Airport, there are other nearby airports that serve Arlington, VA. These include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), which is approximately 20.9 to 25 miles from Arlington, VA, and Harrisburg Airport (MDT), which is 92 miles away. These airports provide additional options for travellers flying to and from the Arlington, VA, area.
Arlington, VA, is conveniently located near multiple airports, with easy access to both domestic and international flights. Reagan National Airport, being the closest, is a popular choice for travellers to and from Arlington. However, BWI Airport, being a major international airport, also serves as a good alternative, despite being slightly further away at 29.3 miles from Arlington, VA.
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of the 25 busiest airports in the US
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the nearest airport to Arlington, VA. It is located 3.3 miles or 6 miles away from the centre of Arlington, VA. The airport is named after former president Ronald Reagan, who was praised by President Bill Clinton in his State of the Union Address. The airport is one of the 25 busiest airports in the US, with a high volume of traffic and limited parking. It is served by the Washington Metro, with the Blue and Yellow lines connecting to an elevated outdoor platform station adjacent to Terminal 2. The airport is also accessible via Interstate 395, the G.W. Parkway, and U.S. Route 1.
The airport has had its fair share of incidents, including a mid-air collision scare with a military aircraft and a Delta Air Lines plane in March 2025. In April 2025, two American Eagle regional jets clipped wings while taxiing, and two American Airlines regional jets bumped wings on the ground, with one of them headed to JFK International Airport carrying seven members of Congress.
The airport offers both international and domestic flights and is a popular choice for travellers due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. and Arlington, VA. It is easily accessible by subway, with a travel time of 11 minutes from Reagan Washington (DCA) to Washington.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a significant hub for travellers in the region, providing convenient access to nearby destinations. The airport's busy nature and limited parking options highlight its popularity and the importance of planning ahead when travelling through this airport.
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The airport opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA, ICAO: KDCA, FAA LID: DCA) is the closest airport to Arlington, Virginia. The airport is located in Arlington County, Virginia, about 3 to 6 miles from the center of Arlington, VA, and 5 miles from Washington, D.C.
On June 16, 1941, just before the United States entered World War II, the Washington National Airport was inaugurated. The opening ceremony featured displays of wartime equipment, including a captured Japanese Zero warplane presented with US Navy colours. In 1945, Congress passed legislation establishing the airport's legal status within Virginia, primarily for liquor sales taxation, but it remained under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
The airport has undergone expansions and name changes over the years. In 1997, a larger second terminal, now known as Terminal 2, was inaugurated. The airport was renamed in 1998 by an act of Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton to honour Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, who served from 1981 to 1989.
Today, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Washington metropolitan area. It served approximately 26.29 million passengers in 2024, making it the busiest airport in the region and the 25th busiest in the United States. The airport is easily accessible by subway, with a travel time of about 11 minutes from Reagan Washington DCA to Washington.
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Frequently asked questions
The closest airport to Arlington, Virginia is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA/KDCA/DCA), which is 3.3 to 6 miles from the centre of Arlington, VA.
Other nearby airports include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD/KIAD) (20.9-25 miles away), Baltimore /Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI/KBWI) (29.3-38 miles away), Harrisburg Airport (MDT) (92 miles away) and Richmond International Airport (RIC/KRIC) (97.5 miles away).
Passengers on the left side of the plane can see the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the World War II Memorial, Georgetown University, the National Mall, portions of Downtown Washington, D.C. (including the roof of Capital One Arena), and the White House. Passengers on the right side can see the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, eastern Arlington, including portions of Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Crystal City, and the United States Air Force Memorial.
