Lois Larson
Washington, a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, has about 140 airports, including public, commercial, and military airports. The state's main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), also known as Sea-Tac Airport. Sea-Tac is the largest airport in the state and the Pacific Northwest region, serving over 42 million passengers in 2015. Other major airports in Washington include Spokane International Airport (GEG) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the main airport serving Washington, D.C. |
| Location | Arlington County, Virginia, on the Potomac River, it is the closest airport to DC. |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Runway Length | Varies, the longest is 6,869 feet (2,094 m) |
| Elevation | 12 ft (4 m) |
| Passenger Traffic | 23.5 million passengers in 2022, ranking it as the 32nd busiest airport in the US |
| Airlines | Major airlines include American, Delta, Southwest, and United, with flights to destinations across the US and a few international locations. |
| Terminals | 3 passenger terminals (A, B, and C) and 2 parking garages (1 and 2) |
| Transit | Accessible via the Washington Metro, with a dedicated station, and various bus services. |
| Amenities | A variety of dining and shopping options, including national brands and local favorites. |
| Lounges | The American Express Centurion Lounge and the United Club are available for eligible passengers. |
| Awards | Recognized for its architecture and design, winning the 'Best Airport in North America' award multiple times. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to DC
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a busy international airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is a public airport serving the Baltimore-Washington area
- College Park Airport (CGS) is the oldest public airport still operating in the US
- Washington no longer has any public airports within its boundaries
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to DC
DCA is one of two airports that serve the Washington metropolitan area and is owned by the federal government. The other airport, Dulles International Airport (IAD), is located 25 miles west in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Dulles is a hub for United Airlines and other airlines, including Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. It is also a hub for regional operators Mesa, GoJet, and CommuteAir, which operate under the United Express brand.
DCA offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations across eight airlines. The airport has two terminals, with the much larger Terminal 2 opening in 1997. Terminal 1 is the original terminal from 1941, and part of it is still in use today.
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station is connected to DC via the Washington Metro, providing easy access to and from the airport.
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a busy international airport
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is one of the busiest airports in the United States. It is located in the unincorporated community of Dulles in Loudoun County, with a small portion in the unincorporated community of Chantilly in Fairfax County. The Town of Herndon is the closest municipality to the airport. Washington Dulles International Airport is a major hub for United Airlines and several other airlines, including Star Alliance members such as Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. It also serves as a hub for regional operators Mesa, GoJet, and CommuteAir, operating under the United Express brand.
The airport features a main terminal designed by the renowned Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, known for its graceful beauty evocative of flight. The terminal was originally built without concourses and gates, with passengers bussed to their planes via mobile lounges. Today, the airport has undergone significant renovations, including the addition of Concourse C/D and A/B, and the introduction of the AeroTrain system for efficient passenger transportation.
Washington Dulles International Airport has a rich history, initially named Dulles International Airport before becoming Washington Dulles International Airport in 1984. It received its first Airbus A380 flight in 2011 and has been a landing site for significant aircraft, including the military's retired SR-71 and the Space Shuttle Discovery. The airport is also home to the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum, displaying iconic aircraft.
Washington Dulles International Airport is highly regarded, ranking 11th in the world according to AirHelp in 2024. The ranking was based on criteria such as on-time performance, customer opinion, food, and shops, with the airport receiving an overall score of 8.22 out of 10. The airport offers a variety of dining options, including the Bracket Room and the Commanders Burgundy and Gold Club, ensuring travellers have a pleasant dining experience with a range of cuisine and sports entertainment.
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Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is a public airport serving the Baltimore-Washington area
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is a public airport located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, serving the Baltimore-Washington area. It is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
BWI Airport is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. It is easily accessible, with a convenient location just a 15-minute drive from downtown Baltimore and proximity to several transportation links, including railroad lines and the proposed Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
The airport is named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. In 2005, the airport was officially renamed Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to honour his legacy.
BWI Airport has consistently ranked highly in terms of passenger traffic and customer satisfaction. In 2023, it recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. BWI also ranked as the second-healthiest airport in the United States by Health magazine in 2008 and achieved a top ranking in the world for airport service quality in a 2009 survey by Airports Council International.
The airport has undergone expansions and renovations to accommodate its growing passenger volume and to enhance its facilities. Concourses A and B were expanded and integrated to house the operations of Southwest Airlines, one of its major carriers. Additionally, a proposed renovation and expansion announced in 2022 are described as the "largest capital project in the history of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport".
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College Park Airport (CGS) is the oldest public airport still operating in the US
Washington, D.C. is served by multiple airports, including Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). However, College Park Airport (CGS), located in the city of College Park, Maryland, holds the distinction of being the oldest public airport still operating in the United States.
Established in August 1909 by the United States Army Signal Corps, College Park Airport served as a training ground for Wilbur Wright to instruct two military officers to fly the government's first aeroplane. The first aircraft, a Wright Type A biplane, took flight in October 1909. Civilian aircraft began operating from the airport as early as December 1911, making it the world's oldest continuously operated airport.
College Park Airport, known as the "Field of Firsts," has been the site of numerous aviation milestones. In 1911, the nation's first military aviation school was established at the airport, with newly trained pilots instructing both Wright and Curtiss aircraft. The airport also witnessed the development of vertical flight theories, leading to the first-ever controlled helicopter flight in 1924 by Emile and Henry Berliner. From 1927 to 1933, the Bureau of Standards worked on the first radio navigational aids for "blind" or bad weather flying, paving the way for the modern Instrument Landing System.
The airport's rich history is commemorated through exhibits, interpretive displays, and educational programs at the adjacent College Park Aviation Museum. The museum, which opened in 1998, features a replica of the original 1909 hangar, antique and reproduction aircraft, hands-on activities, and rotating exhibits. The airport itself was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and is recognised as a National Historic Landmark.
Despite its historical significance, College Park Airport remains an active general aviation airport. It caters to the needs of general aviation pilots visiting Washington, D.C., and houses several aviation-related businesses, flight schools, and aircraft maintenance facilities. The airport's operations are regulated by the Transportation Security Administration due to its proximity to the nation's capital, but civilian pilots can still utilise the airport after undergoing a one-time background check.
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Washington no longer has any public airports within its boundaries
Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, does not have any public airports within its boundaries. However, there are several airports that serve the city. Some of these are public, some are public use, and some are private. The three major airports in the Washington, D.C. region are Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located just across the Potomac River in Virginia and is the closest airport to D.C. It offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations on eight airlines. This airport is public and opened in 1941.
Dulles International Airport is a busy international airport with a number of terminals and gates. It is a hub for United Airlines and is frequently used by Star Alliance members such as Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. It also serves as a hub for regional operators Mesa, GoJet, and CommuteAir, which operate under the United Express brand. The airport has a variety of dining and shopping options, including duty-free souvenirs, high-end designers, and even a spa.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is a public airport serving the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., combined statistical area.
In addition to these three major airports, there are several other airports that serve Washington, D.C., including defunct airports such as Hoover Field, which served the city from 1925 to 1933, and Washington Airport, which served the city from 1927 to 1933. College Park Airport, the oldest public airport still operating in the United States, serves the College Park/Riverdale Park/University Park area.
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Frequently asked questions
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the main airport serving Washington. It is located in the Seattle metropolitan area and is the largest airport in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region.
There are about 140 airports in the state of Washington, including public-use, commercial, and military airports. Some of the notable airports are:
- Seattle−Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Sea-Tac Airport
- Spokane International Airport (GEG)
- Bellingham International Airport (BLI)
- Yakima Air Terminal (YKM)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Washington Dulles International Airport has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years. It is a hub for United Airlines and several other airlines. The airport is known for its graceful and aesthetically pleasing main terminal, designed by the renowned Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
