Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Guide

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport sits in Arlington County, Virginia, 8 km from downtown Washington, D.C. It is one of two airports in the Washington metro area owned by the federal government and operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the other being Dulles International 40 km to the west. DCA is one of the 25 busiest airports in the United States, serving 26.3 million passengers in 2024 — a record year for the airport.

American Airlines operates a hub at DCA, holding the dominant share of gates across Concourses C, D, and E in Terminal 2. The airport's proximity to the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, and federal government buildings makes it the preferred choice for business travelers and members of Congress. Its location on the Potomac River means aircraft follow the river corridor on approach, keeping noise impacts away from densely populated areas to the north.

A new 14-gate Concourse E opened in 2021, adding capacity for the first time in decades. The airport is linked directly to the Washington Metro via the Yellow and Blue lines, with a station walkable from Terminal 2. A major redevelopment program — DCA Reimagined — is underway, with plans to modernize Terminal 1 and expand overall capacity.