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Virginia is served by several airports, including two major international airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. The latter is the busiest airport near Virginia, serving about 23 million annual travellers. It is the primary hub for the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia region, but mainly serves the DC area. Other airports in Virginia include Norfolk International Airport, which serves the Hampton Roads area, and Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, which serves Virginia's Hampton Roads region and the Virginia Peninsula.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 2 |
| Airport Names | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport |
| Airport Code | IATA |
| Location Identifier | FAA |
| Location Indicator | ICAO |
| Airport Type | Commercial service – primary |
| Hub Type | L: Large hub |
| Annual Travellers | 23 million |
| Airlines | United Airlines, US Airways, Delta, Frontier |
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What You'll Learn
Washington Dulles International Airport
The airport ranks fourth in the US in terms of land area and is the busiest airport in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. It also has the most international passenger traffic of any airport in the Mid-Atlantic outside the New York metropolitan area, accounting for approximately 90% of international passenger traffic in the Baltimore-Washington region.
The main terminal of Washington Dulles International Airport was designed by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and is renowned for its graceful beauty and suggestive of flight. The terminal has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the addition of midfield concourses and a new security mezzanine. The airport also features a variety of dining options, such as the Commanders Burgundy and Gold Club, which offers a relaxing dining experience with a chef-driven menu.
The airport's design includes a landscaped man-made lake for rainwater collection, a low-rise hotel, and office buildings along the north side of the main parking lot. A federally-owned limited-access highway connects the terminal to the Capital Beltway (I-495), located about 17 miles (27 km) to the east. The highway system has since expanded to include a parallel toll road and an extension to connect to I-66. Additionally, a passenger rail line extension of the Washington Metro's Silver Line opened in 2022, providing convenient access to the airport.
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
The airport first opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport. In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed a bill to rename the airport after Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, who served from 1981 to 1989. The legislation was drafted against the wishes of some political leaders, who argued that the airport was already named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. Despite this, the name was officially changed to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to honour Reagan on his 87th birthday.
The airport has faced some scrutiny due to safety concerns. In March 2025, a mid-air collision was narrowly avoided between a U.S. Air Force jet and a Delta Air Lines plane taking off from the airport. Additionally, in April 2025, two American Eagle regional jets clipped wings while taxiing at the airport. These incidents have brought attention to the situation at the airport's air traffic tower, which has been described as "increasingly tense".
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Norfolk International Airport
The airport has undergone significant developments and expansions over the years. It was originally established as Norfolk Municipal Airport in 1938 on the site of the former Truxton Manor Golf Course. During World War II, it was taken over by the Army Air Corps, who expanded the airport's runways to accommodate increased flights. In 1948, Piedmont Airlines began operations, coinciding with the construction of a modern terminal building. The airport's name was changed to Norfolk International Airport, and in the 1980s, a new general aviation facility, air cargo terminal, and expanded parking facilities were introduced. The airport authority has continued to improve airport terminals, concourses, dining and retail facilities, and more.
The airport terminals are open 24 hours a day, and travellers are encouraged to contact their airlines for ticket counter hours and check-in times. Hourly and daily parking options are available in various garages, with specific height restrictions in place. Pet relief areas are located at the Departures and Arrivals terminals, and volunteer ambassadors are available to provide directions and information.
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Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
The airport is owned and operated by the Peninsula Airport Commission (PAC), a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The PAC was created in 1946 by Virginia's General Assembly to establish a new airport for the cities of Newport News and Hampton. The airport was originally named Newport News-Williamsburg Airport, but the PAC renamed it Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in September 1990. A new terminal opened in late 1992, and the airport has since undergone sustainability projects to incorporate green technology into its operations.
In the early years of the airport, several airlines served Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport with nonstop or direct flights. Allegheny Airlines, for example, operated McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jets from Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, and Providence. National Airlines offered flights from New York JFK Airport, Washington DC National Airport, and nearby Norfolk using Boeing 727-100 and Boeing 727-200 jets. Piedmont Airlines also served the airport with NAMC YS-11 turboprop planes from various destinations, including Atlanta, Columbus, and Richmond.
Over time, the airlines serving Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport changed. In 1985, USAir, later renamed US Airways, introduced McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 and British Aircraft Corporation BAC One-Eleven jets from Pittsburgh and Washington, DC Dulles Airport. By 1989, these were the only jet services operating at the airport. That same year, Emerald Air operated Douglas DC-9-10 jets nonstop from Orlando twice a week. In 1995, US Airways Express, later replaced by American Eagle, served Philadelphia and Charlotte from the airport.
Passenger numbers at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport have fluctuated over the years. In 2019, the airport handled 431,077 passengers, but this number dropped to 144,966 in 2023. The loss of dominant air carrier AirTran in 2012 and competition from low-cost airlines at nearby airports have contributed to an over 85% decrease in annual passenger numbers since 2011.
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Airports near Virginia with nonstop flights to Philadelphia or Charlotte, North Carolina
There are several airports in Virginia, as well as airports near Virginia that serve the state. Here is a list of airports with nonstop flights to Philadelphia or Charlotte, North Carolina:
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
Located in uptown Newport News, this airport offers limited flights and is suitable for travelling to destinations on the Virginia Peninsula. For nonstop flights to Philadelphia or Charlotte, North Carolina, travellers can book with American Airlines.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport
This airport serves the Charlottesville/Albemarle region of Virginia and is very convenient for access to the University of Virginia and downtown Charlottesville. It offers daily nonstop flights on American, Delta, and United Airlines to several destinations, including Charlotte and Philadelphia.
Lynchburg Regional Airport
Located a 10-minute taxi ride from downtown Lynchburg, this airport provides daily arriving and departing flights with nonstop regional service out of Charlotte, operated by American Airlines.
Reagan Washington National Airport
While not in Virginia, this airport is the closest to Washington, D.C., and is just a six-minute drive from the National Mall. It offers hourly shuttle services and convenient access to Arlington County and the DC area. However, its shorter runways limit long-haul routes.
Norfolk International Airport
Norfolk International is the primary airport serving the Hampton Roads area, including cities in northeastern North Carolina. The airport offers nonstop flights to several destinations, although it is unclear if Philadelphia or Charlotte are among them.
Dulles International Airport
Serving Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, Dulles International is a major international airport with direct and connecting flights across the US and abroad. It is a hub for United Airlines and is noted for its main terminal building, designed by Eero Saarinen.
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Frequently asked questions
Washington Dulles International Airport is the busiest airport in Virginia, serving about 23 million annual travellers.
Norfolk International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are two other major airports in Virginia.
Norfolk International Airport is the primary airport serving the Hampton Roads area, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, and Williamsburg.
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is managed by the Peninsula Airport Commission and is the primary hub for AirTrain Airways.
Washington Dulles International Airport, Norfolk International Airport, and Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport are all international airports that serve Virginia.
