Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest commercial airport to downtown Washington, D.C.. It is situated just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, about a 4-mile drive from the White House.
It is nominally a domestic airport and only receives international flights from airports with US border pre-clearance facilities (thus treated like domestic flights). Not to be mistaken with Washington Dulles (IAD), which receives many more international flights but is 28 miles from downtown Washington.
DCA served over 26 million passengers in 2024, ranking among the top 25 busiest airports in the USA.
Major Airlines - American Airlines, Southwest Airlines
DCA is a hub for American Airlines, which carries over a quarter of all passengers using the airport. This figure also includes flights operated by its regional subsidiary, American Eagle.
The next biggest airline at DCA is Southwest Airlines with a market share of just below 15%.
Other major carriers include Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, and their regional brands Delta Connection and United Express, as well as Alaska Airlines.
The low-cost airlines are represented by JetBlue Airways, which offers cheaper flights to several destinations on the East Coast, Puerto Rico, and Nassau (The Bahamas). Frontier also operates one route from Washington National to Denver.
The only foreign airline serving DCA is Air Canada Express, which connects Washington with direct flights to Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.
Click here to see a full list of airlines.
Terminal Layout and Gates of DCA
Washington National Airport has two terminals:
Terminal 1: The original terminal (formerly Terminal A), featuring 9 gates (A1–A9). It serves Air Canada Express, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
- Terminal 2: The larger, more modern terminal (formerly Terminal B), which includes Concourses B through E:
Concourse B (Gates B10–B22): Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines
Concourse C (Gates C23–C34): American Airlines, JetBlue Airways
Concourse D (Gates D35–D45): exclusively American Airlines
Concourse E (Gates E46–E59): American Eagle and American Airlines
The four concourses are connected by what’s known as the National Hall.
Note that Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are not connected post-security (airside), so any movements between the two include clearing Security.
A terminal shuttle bus stops on level 3 of the National Hall and outside Terminal 1 and runs every 15 minutes on average. Alternatively, you can walk between the two terminals, with the farthest distance being a roughly 10-minute walk.
Connecting Flights and Transit
DCA is primarily a point-to-point airport where practically all flights are domestic. This makes connections rare, though possible.
For two domestic flights with American Airlines, the minimum connecting time is just 25 minutes, and the gates will almost certainly be at the same or adjacent concourses. While this looks like a very short amount of time, if the two tickets are booked together and you miss the second, the airline will reschedule you on the next available flight.
Self-transfers (i.e., you’ve booked two tickets separately) may take longer to transit. Assuming your first flight is on time, you should be able to connect within 40 minutes.
However, note that Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are not connected post-security, so when transferring between terminals, you need to go through Security again, thus increasing the time necessary. It's advisable to allow extra time when booking connecting flights.
WiFi at DCA
Free high-speed WiFi is available throughout the airport, including both terminals and all concourses.
To connect, select either “#DCA Free WiFi” or “FlyReagan” and when prompted, enter your email and zip code (international travelers can bypass the zip code). You will be connected indefinitely.
Dining Options at DCA
The dining scene at DCA is surprisingly good, both in depth and breadth. You can have a pick from over 50 restaurants and bars serving various types of cuisine - local, classic American fare, or international favorites.
Here are some of the best places to try at DCA:
- Local Favorites
Ben's Chili Bowl: Try D.C.’s iconic half-smokes in the National Hall.
Lucky Buns: Serves burgers with a twist in the National Hall.
Timber Pizza Co.: Made-to-order pies and more. Find it near Gate E51.
Atlas Brew Works: Offers a wide choice of ales and lagers along with breakfast sandwiches, salads, and more. It’s near Gate B12.
- National Chains
Chick-fil-A: Chicken sandwiches with a signature sauce. Located in the National Hall.
Five Guys: Serves burgers and shakes in Concourse D.
Taylor Gourmet: Offers breakfast hoagies near Gates C23-34.
- Upscale Dining
P.F. Chang's: A massive restaurant serving a wide array of Asian dishes. Located in Concourse E, near Gates 46-59.
Wolfgang Puck's Bar & Bites: Serves Mediterranean-style meals with some surprising twists. It’s near Gate E58.
Carla Hall's Page: Southern cooking with exquisite food items like oysters, lobsters, and delicious desserts. Find it near Gates A1-A9.
- Quick Bites
Dos Toros Taqueria: Try the San Francisco-style burritos near Gates C23-C32.
Half Moon Empanadas: Just as the name suggests. Located in the National Hall.
Zeke's Coffee: There may be other coffee shops at the airport, but Zeke’s is the best for its small-batch roasts. It’s in Terminal 1, Gates A1-A9.
Mobile ordering and 24/7 vending machines are available if you’re in a hurry to catch a flight.
Lounges at Washington National Airport
DCA currently houses 7 lounges from the US’s biggest airlines.
Since the airport is a hub for American Airlines, you’d expect to find their Admirals Club there. Not just one, but 3 locations - one in each of Concourses C, D, and E. They all open at 5 AM and close at 8 PM, 10 PM, and 10:30 PM, respectively.
You may enter the Admiral Club at the Concourse you’re flying from if you’re eligible by flyer status, ticket class, or pay the day pass of 79 USD.
The other major US airlines also have their lounges at DCA as follows:
Delta Sky Club: Terminal 2, near Gate B15. It’s open from 5:15 AM to 6:50 PM. Admission is only for those flying with Delta and eligible to enter.
United Club: Terminal 2, opposite Gate B11. Opening times are 6 AM to 6:30 PM. Some eligible passengers may enter for free, while everyone else can pay 59 USD for a day pass.
American Express Centurion Lounge: Located in the National Hall, open from 5 AM to 9 PM. Only accessible to eligible cardholders.
USO Lounge: For military personnel and their families only. Located outside Security (standard for USO lounges), opposite the Lost and Found office. Open from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Note that many of those lounges have shorter working hours on Saturdays.
Transportation at DCA
Travelers often praise Washington National Airport for its proximity to the city center and the convenient public transport links.
The airport is directly connected to the Washington Metro's Yellow and Blue Lines via an elevated station at Terminal 2. The travel time to downtown D.C. is a mere 10 minutes on the Yellow Line with fares as low as $2.25.
To connect to Greyhound buses, take the Metroline’s Yellow Line to Union Station. They don’t directly serve the airport, so this is your only way. Charter buses, on the other hand, operate from in front of National Hall, whereas hotel shuttles pick up passengers from in front of both Terminals.
Non-public transport includes taxis (available right outside either terminal) and ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, and ALTO, which have designated pick-up zones marked by green flags outside the terminals. Fares to downtown DC are around 20 USD, before a tip.
Lastly, take a look at these private shuttle options from DCA.
Parking at DCA
Three official parking lots are available within the airport grounds.
Parking 1 and Parking 2: Located next to Terminal 1 and Terminal B, respectively, providing convenient access. They have the same price at 7 USD per hour, maxed at 35 USD per day.
Economy Parking: More affordable option with a shuttle service to the terminals that runs every 10 minutes. The parking rate is 7 USD per hour or 25 USD per day, lower if you make a reservation at least 12 hours in advance.
Keep in mind that ongoing construction works mean a reduced parking capacity at DCA until at least 2026. It’s highly advisable to pre-book your parking.
The cell phone waiting lot is also closed until works finish. Until then, parking at any of the garages is free for the first hour.
103 electric vehicle charging stations are available within Parking 2. Using them does not incur any additional fees.
Hotels near Washington National Airport
DCA has no hotels within the terminal, and the closest ones are actually outside the airport, though most offer a complimentary shuttle.
The Hilton Arlington National Landing stands out as a premium hotel in close proximity to the airport. It’s a 4-star property which receives praise for its high-class amenities, despite the relatively old building.
Other nearby options include:
Residence Inn Arlington Capital View
Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National
Washington, DC, USA
