Airports And Their Cities: A Traveler's Guide

The airport a person flies into can be a good indicator of the city they are visiting. Airports are often named after the city they are located in, or the one they are closest to. For example, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, and is the closest airport to the city. However, this is not always the case, as some airports are located in smaller towns outside of the city they serve. For instance, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is located between the two cities it is named after.

Airports in Washington, DC

Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, does not have any public airports within its boundaries. However, there are three major airports in the Washington, DC region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Each airport has its own unique features and advantages that cater to different needs.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, located just across the Potomac River in Virginia, is the closest airport to Washington, D.C. It offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations, primarily within the continental U.S., with some flights to Canada and the Caribbean. The airport is accessible via its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines, and taxi rides into downtown Washington, D.C., typically cost around $15-20. Reagan Airport also provides a variety of dining and shopping options, including local favourites such as Good Stuff Eatery and CAVA.

Washington Dulles International Airport, situated 26 miles from Washington, D.C., in suburban Virginia, is the primary international airport for the region. It offers nearly 157 nonstop domestic and international destinations on approximately 40 airlines, making it a major hub for United Airlines. Dulles Airport is connected to Washington, D.C., through the Metro's Silver Line, with rides taking about an hour and costing $6.75. Taxi rides between the airport and the city centre range from $60 to $70.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the third major airport serving the Washington, D.C., area. While it is not as centrally located as Reagan Airport, it serves a significant number of passengers travelling to and from the nation's capital. BWI offers a range of transportation options, including train, taxi, and shuttle services, making it a convenient choice for many travellers.

Airports in Dallas, Texas

The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area in Texas is served by two major airports: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the primary international airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the North Texas region. It is located roughly halfway between the major cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and includes portions of Grapevine, Dallas, and Tarrant counties. The airport is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport. DFW is the third-busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements and the second-busiest by passenger traffic. It serves 153 cities worldwide, with 116 non-stop domestic destinations and 37 non-stop and direct international destinations. The airport is accessible via State Highway 114 and Interstate 635 on the north.

The history of DFW airport dates back to the post-World War II era when Fort Worth developed the site into Amon Carter Field with American Airlines. In 1964, federal government intervention led to an agreement on a location for a new regional airport, and construction began in 1969. The airport opened for commercial service on January 13, 1974, as Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport, with a dedication ceremony that included the first landing of a supersonic Concorde in the United States. Over the years, DFW has undergone design revisions, including the addition of semicircular terminals to isolate loading and unloading areas from the central highway and provide more parking space.

Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)

Dallas Love Field Airport is the other major airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It is located just 6 miles from the center of Dallas, offering convenient access to travellers. Love Field has domestic flights and is known for its role in the history of aviation in the region.

Airport cities

The concept of an "airport city" or "aerotropolis" is a metropolitan sub-region where the layout, infrastructure, and economy are centered around an airport. The airport city model is designed to address the needs of businesses in today's global economy, with airports serving as a catalyst for land-side business development. The idea is that the airport and its flight routes offer companies improved connectivity to their distant suppliers, customers, and partners worldwide.

The airport city concept consists of several reinforcing elements designed to guide travelers through the airport transit process. These include services and facilities for passengers, cargo management, businesses, workers, and residents of the area. Airport cities often feature duty-free shops, airline lounges, restaurants, hotels, banks, business offices, convention centers, and logistics operations, among other commercial and industrial activities.

While the airport city model offers exciting possibilities, it has also faced criticism. One concern is the future availability and cost of oil, which could adversely affect aerotropolises if oil production declines. Additionally, critics argue that the model overstates the types of goods that travel by air and that the relationship between seaports, airports, and rail facilities should be more carefully considered. Other criticisms include the potential loss of farmland and forests, the exclusion of affected communities, and the long-term commitment to high-carbon infrastructure.

Airport codes

The three-letter IATA codes are often derived from the first three letters of the city in which the airport is located. For example, MIA is the code for Miami International Airport, and DEN is the code for Denver International Airport. However, when these letter combinations are already taken, the airport may be given a code that refers to an aspect of the city's history or specific location. For instance, the code for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is MSY, named after aviator John Moisant, who lived in Louisiana until his death in 1910. In some cases, the code comes from the airport's former or unofficial name, such as Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, coded ORD for its original name, Orchard Field, and Kahului Airport's OGG, for local aviation pioneer Jimmy Hogg.

In large metropolitan areas, airport codes are often named after the airport itself instead of the city it serves. For example, Chicago's O'Hare Airport is coded ORD, Midway Airport is coded MDW, and Rockford Airport is coded RFD. Sometimes, a new airport is built, replacing an older one, and the new airport's code no longer corresponds with the city's name. This is the case with Nashville International Airport, which uses the designation BNA, which originally stood for Berry Field, the airport that Nashville International Airport replaced.

There are also some patterns in airport codes based on country. Most large airports in Canada have codes that begin with the letter "Y", although not all airports that begin with "Y" are in Canada. For instance, YUM is the code for Yuma, Arizona, and YNT is the code for Yantai, China. Many Canadian airports have a code that starts with W, X, or Z, but none of these are major airports. When the Canadian transcontinental railroads were built, each station was assigned a two-letter Morse code. When the Canadian government established airports, it used the existing railway codes, adding a "Y" to indicate that the airport had a weather station.

Airport accessibility

Airports can be difficult to navigate, especially for those with disabilities or mobility issues. In the United States, one in four adults has a disability, and 14% have trouble walking or climbing stairs. Globally, many airports are improving accessibility, with some even offering guided assistance for those with visual impairments.

In the US, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical or mental impairments. The ACAA requires airlines to offer assistance to those with mobility issues, visual or hearing impairments, or other disabilities. This includes the use of ambi-lifts, ramps, and small "transfer" wheelchairs. Airports must also locate assistance points at various places, including drop-off points, car parks, train stations, and bus terminals. Additionally, special assistance desks can provide identification (lanyards, badges, etc.) to people with hidden disabilities.

When booking a flight, individuals with disabilities should request special assistance. For example, when booking with American Airlines, there is a link to "add special assistance," with options such as "mobility" and "traveling with a service animal." It is also recommended to arrive at the airport early, especially for those with mobility issues. Two to three hours is suggested for international flights, and one and a half hours for domestic flights. This ensures ample time to navigate the airport and have any requested accessibility services in place.

At the airport, individuals with disabilities should self-identify and confirm their accessibility needs with the airline. This is important, even if assistance has been noted in the reservation, as the airline will not know who specifically requested it. It is also advised to be alert for gate and flight time changes and notify airline personnel of any assistance needed, such as requesting a cart to help with connections or baggage claim.

Frequently asked questions