Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington, United States

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington's close-in airport serving the nation's capital.
- ›Federal law restricts most nonstop flights to destinations within 1,250 miles, known as the perimeter rule.
- ›The airport was renamed from Washington National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by Congress in 1998.
- ›Its location just 3 miles from the U.S. Capitol makes it the closest major airport to a national capital in the United States.
- ›The airport is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
- ›Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the airport was closed for several weeks due to its proximity to restricted Washington airspace.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, opened in 1941, sits just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., making it the closest major airport to the U.S. Capitol. It serves as a primary gateway for domestic travelers and is managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Its iconic terminal architecture and stunning river-view approaches make it one of the most recognizable airports in the country.
- Terminal A — The oldest terminal at DCA, handling select commuter and regional flights with a more compact, no-frills layout.
- Terminal B — A modern, bright concourse serving major domestic carriers including American Airlines, with a wide range of shops and dining.
- Terminal C — Connected to Terminal B, this concourse handles additional domestic flights and shares amenities with its neighboring terminal.
- Washington Metro – Yellow and Blue lines stop directly at the airport's own station
- Metrobus – Local bus routes connect to nearby neighborhoods and transit hubs
- Taxi and rideshare – Lyft and Uber pickup zones are located at the ground transportation curb
- Rental cars – Major agencies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and National operate on-site
- SuperShuttle and shared van services – Available for door-to-door connections across the D.C. metro area
- Hyatt Centric Arlington
- Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport
- Residence Inn Arlington Pentagon City
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City
- Hampton Inn Reagan National Airport
Inside the airport, travelers can find a solid mix of local and national options including Legal Sea Foods, Cava, and various grab-and-go cafes spread across Terminals B and C. Terminal A has more limited food choices, so arriving early in that concourse is advisable. Crystal City and Pentagon City, just minutes away by Metro, offer a wider range of dining for those with time before their flight.
- Take the Metro instead of driving — the Yellow or Blue line drops you directly at the terminal and avoids heavy D.C. traffic.
- DCA has strict perimeter rules limiting nonstop flights to destinations within 1,250 miles, so confirm your route before booking.
- Security lines can back up significantly during morning peak hours; arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic departures.
- The airport's river-side windows offer striking views of the Washington Monument and D.C. skyline — worth a few minutes to take in.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a public airport in Arlington County, Virginia, United States, five miles from Washington, D.C. The closest airport to the nation's capital, it is one of two airports owned by the federal government and operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) that serve the Washington metropolitan area; the other is Dulles International Airport (IAD), located about 25 miles to the west in Fairfax and Loudoun counties.
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