
Washington Dulles International Airport (IATA: IAD) is located in Chantilly, Virginia, on 12,000 acres of land in the suburbs of downtown Washington, D.C. The airport is named after John Foster Dulles, who was Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953-1959. It is approximately 26 miles from downtown Washington, D.C., and serves the United States' capital area with domestic, international, and intercontinental flights.
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Washington Dulles International Airport is in Loudoun County and Fairfax County, Virginia
Washington Dulles International Airport is located in Loudoun County and Fairfax County, Virginia, in the United States. The airport is named after John Foster Dulles, the influential United States Secretary of State during the Cold War. It is situated approximately 26 miles (42 km) west of downtown Washington, D.C., and serves as a major hub for both domestic and international air travel.
The airport covers a vast area of 12,000 to 13,000 acres of land, straddling the Loudoun-Fairfax line. Most of the airport falls within Loudoun County, with a small portion in the unincorporated community of Chantilly in Fairfax County. Washington Dulles International Airport is one of the largest airports in the United States in terms of land area, ranking fourth after major airports in Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Southwest Florida.
The airport features a unique design, with a well-known main terminal designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen. The terminal, recognised by the American Institute of Architects in 1966, boasts a graceful, suspended catenary roof that spans a wide area without any obstructing columns. The airport also utilised mobile lounges, or "planemates," to transport passengers between the terminal and aircraft on the ramp, a service that was once unique to Dulles.
Washington Dulles International Airport caters to a high volume of passengers, with an average of 60,000 passengers passing through daily to and from over 139 destinations worldwide. In 2021, the airport handled more than 15 million passengers, ranking as the 28th busiest airport in the United States. The airport is a hub for United Airlines and is frequently used by its codeshare partners, including Star Alliance members such as Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.
The airport has undergone significant expansion and development over the years, including the addition of new concourses, runways, and an AeroTrain people mover system. With its current four-runway configuration, the airport can handle up to 600,000 aircraft operations per year, and future plans include the construction of a fifth runway to further increase capacity.
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The airport is 26 miles from downtown Washington, DC
Washington Dulles International Airport is located in Chantilly, Virginia, 26 miles from downtown Washington, DC. The airport is accessible via the Dulles Access Road/Dulles Greenway (State Route 267) and State Route 28. The airport is 16 miles from exit 67 (VA-267 W/Dulles Airport/I-495 N/Baltimore) on I-66 West. It is also accessible via I-95, with 13 miles between the airport and exit 27 (I 495 West/Capital Beltway).
Dulles has significant capacity for future growth. With minor expansion, the current facilities could accommodate 45 million annual passengers. With all future facilities in the master plan constructed, the airport could accommodate 70 million annual passengers. The current four-runway configuration has a capacity of up to 600,000 aircraft operations per year, and the addition of a fifth runway could increase this to 1 million aircraft operations per year.
The airport offers a range of amenities and services, including free Wi-fi, currency exchange, a concierge service, charging stations, luggage carts, a chapel, nursing rooms, pet relief areas, a kid's play zone, and a smoking area. There is also a wide variety of dining and shopping options, including restaurants, cafes, bars, duty-free shops, clothing stores, cosmetics, electronics, and alcoholic beverages. Washington Flyer Taxicabs serve Dulles International exclusively, with 24-hour service to and from the airport. Taxi fares start from $55 to Arlington, VA, and $70 to Washington, DC. Uber and Lyft are also available at a slightly lower fare.
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It was named after John Foster Dulles, a former US Secretary of State
Washington Dulles International Airport (IATA: IAD) is located in Chantilly, Virginia, on 12,000 acres of land in the suburbs of downtown Washington, DC. The airport is named after John Foster Dulles, a former US Secretary of State who served under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1959. Dulles was an influential figure in Cold War-era American politics, and the airport was dedicated and opened in 1962.
John Foster Dulles was an important figure in American politics during the Cold War era. As Secretary of State, he played a significant role in shaping US foreign policy and its stance against communism. Dulles briefly represented the state of New York in the United States Senate, further highlighting his political influence and reach. His contributions to American diplomacy and his association with the nation's capital made him a fitting namesake for the airport.
The airport is an international gateway, serving the United States' capital area with domestic, international, and intercontinental flights. It is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). Dulles offers flights to every major airport within the US and serves as a hub for United Airlines.
The main terminal of Washington Dulles International Airport, designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen, is a well-known landmark. The terminal's design, with its graceful beauty suggestive of flight, has been recognised and acclaimed by the American Institute of Architects. The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new concourses, runways, and an AeroTrain people mover system.
Dulles International Airport is more than just a transportation hub; it also offers a diverse range of dining and shopping options. Passengers can enjoy a full meal at various restaurants and pubs or opt for snacks and coffees at the snack bars. The airport also features duty-free shops, fashion boutiques, gift stores, and more. With its efficient infrastructure, diverse amenities, and strategic location, Dulles International Airport continues to be a vital aviation gateway for the Washington, DC area.
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The airport has 113 airline gates
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located in Chantilly, Virginia, on 12,000 acres of land in the suburbs of downtown Washington, DC. The airport has 113 airline gates across five concourses (A, B, C, D, and Z).
Concourse A has a total of 43 gates, including 31 United Express Commuter gates and 12 mainline gates. This concourse was expanded in 2008 to include 15 additional gates.
Concourse B has 32 mainline gates and was also expanded in 2008, with an extension that added 15 new gates. This concourse is the centerpiece of the airport's retail program, offering 13,000 square feet of retail space.
Concourse C has 22 United mainline gates, while Concourse D has 24 United mainline gates. These two concourses were completed in 1985 as interim facilities and will eventually be replaced by a permanent structure.
Concourse Z, a permanent part of the terminal, has four mainline gates.
In addition to these gates, there are 16 "Remote Gate" positions on the south side of the airport, known as Hard Stand Aircraft Locations. These positions are used for planes parked remotely and not directly accessible from the concourses.
The airport has a total of four runways, with a fifth runway planned for the future. The current configuration can handle up to 600,000 aircraft operations per year, and the addition of a fifth runway would increase capacity to 1 million aircraft operations annually.
Washington Dulles International Airport is a major hub for domestic and international travel, serving destinations worldwide. It offers a mix of legacy and low-fare carriers and provides access to every major airport and state within the US.
The airport has invested significantly in its infrastructure, including parking garages, an expanded international arrivals building, a new control tower, and an automated people mover system called AeroTrain. With future expansion, the airport could accommodate up to 70 million annual passengers and operate from 250 airline gates.
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It has four runways, with a fifth runway planned
Washington Dulles International Airport (IATA: IAD) is a large airport located in Chantilly, Virginia, on 12,000 acres of land in the suburbs of downtown Washington, D.C. The airport, which first opened in 1962, is named after John Foster Dulles, who served as Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953-1959.
Dulles International Airport currently has four runways, with a fifth runway planned for the future. The airport has a significant capacity for growth and expansion. The current four-runway configuration has a capacity of up to 600,000 aircraft operations per year. However, with the addition of a fifth runway, the airfield capacity could increase to accommodate up to 1 million aircraft operations annually.
The airport's first three runways were built when the airport was initially constructed in 1962. These runways are:
- 1C/19C, with a length of 11,500 feet.
- 1R/19L, with a length of 11,500 feet.
- 12/30, with a length of 10,500 feet.
In 2008, a fourth runway, 1L/19R, was added to the west side of the airfield, with a length of 9,400 feet. This new runway was the first to be constructed since the airport's original construction. The addition of this runway brought the total number of runways at Dulles International Airport to four.
While the construction of the fifth runway has not yet been scheduled, it is part of the airport's future development plans. This proposed runway will run parallel to the existing runway 12/30. If built, the current runway will be redesignated as 12L-30R, while the new runway will be designated as 12R-30L. The addition of this fifth runway will further increase the airport's capacity and enhance its ability to handle a higher volume of air traffic.
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Frequently asked questions
1 Saarinen Circle, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
Dulles Airport is in the state of Virginia.
Dulles Airport is located 26 miles (42km) west of downtown Washington DC.
Dulles Airport has two terminals: the main terminal and the midfield terminal.