Both Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International Airports are public buildings operated by the Airports Authority. Media may film, tape, or photograph in publicly accessible areas, including but not limited to lobbies, parking lots and garages, roadways, the media pad at Dulles, terraces at Reagan National, hallways adjacent to concessions and other common use areas. Only ticketed passengers may proceed through security. It is not a practice of the Airports Authority to issue gate passes or escort the media through or beyond the TSA security checkpoint.

For information about parking a live truck, please visit the Media Access to Airports page.

General Requirements for All Media Crew Members in Public Areas of Both Airports

Media may be asked to relocate or leave the airport for failure to follow these requirements:

• Please contact the Public Affairs Office prior to your arrival at [email protected].
• Visibly display your official press identification.
• Space at the airports is first-come, first-served. There is no reservation system. 
• Do not block fire emergency escape routes and/or fire emergency exits.
• Do not interfere with any entrance, exit, escalator, ticket counter, taxi staging area, taxi pickup, passenger check in, security checkpoint, or baggage carousel.
• Do not interfere with TSA, airline or airport operations.
• Ticket counter and gate areas are leased by the airlines, and airlines must give permission for filming/photography in their leased space.
• Shops and restaurants are leased space, and the managers must give permission to media to enter their areas.
• The security screening areas are operated through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). For media access to the screening area equipment or TSA employees, you must obtain approval from TSA Public Affairs.

Click on any map below for a larger view (PDF) 

Media Standups at DCA/ Ticketing Level

The largest spaces for indoor standups with AC outlets available are inside Door #2 and Door #5. and can accommodate up to five crews, including access to AC power outlets along the window. The north outdoor terrace is spacious, as well. The south outdoor terrace will soon be blocked for construction. The north and south media pads (curbside parking zones) are for live truck parking only with approval. All crew vehicles must use public parking.

Site descriptions

• North Terrace: Exterior views of concourse and partial views of airfield and D.C. monuments. Note: The South Terrace is fenced off for long-term construction.
• North Curb: On the sidewalk immediately north of Door #6. Good views of roadway and airline signs. Do not aim lights toward FAA tower cab.
• Inside Door #6: This is a large area that expanded in 2022. It is not marked, so remain out of the flow of passengers when setting up. AC outlets are against the north window. Ample airfield views are available through windows, with American aircraft tails visible. Facing in other directions provides views of the ticketing level or the escalator to the North security checkpoint. Park crew vehicles in Parking garage 2 North; walk to the terminal on Level 2 and take the escalator up one level to Ticketing.
• Inside Door #2: This is a large area generally free from construction except for one corner dustwall. It is not marked, so remain out of the flow of passengers when setting up. AC outlets are against the south window. Ample airfield views are available through windows, with Delta, JetBlue and American aircraft tails visible. Facing in other directions provides views of the ticketing level or the escalator to the South security checkpoint. Park crew vehicles in Parking garage 2 South; walk to the terminal on Level 2 and take the escalator up one level to Ticketing.

- Stand-ups and tripod b-roll are not permitted anywhere between Doors #2 and #5 due to obstructing passenger movement to and from airline ticket counters. 

Media Standups at DCA Security Checkpoints / TSA Background

At DCA, security screening has been moved into two identical checkpoint buildings. During times of normal passenger flow, standups are permitted with the reporter's back to the stanchions/ screening queues. The filming location has room for two crews per checkpoint, available on a first come, first served basis. Crew should set up in the tan floor tiles near the police booth and should be mindful of their footprint to not block passenger flow into the bathrooms or queuing area. Permission may be suspended if  passenger volumes or security concerns create a potential conflict with use of this space.

Park in Terminal Garage C for north security or Terminal Garage C for south security. Enter the airport on Level 2 to reach the checkpoint. The checkpoints are one level down from Ticketing (Level 3).

Currently, there are no power outlets available. Crews may not run extension cords and should come prepared to operate on battery power only. 

Media Standups Outside IAD Terminal

Perhaps the quickest and easiest location to film at Dulles is outside the Ticketing (Departures) level on the sidewalk between the media pad and the Terminal. News vehicles with advance approval may park on the media pad. Others can use public parking and then enter the terminal, proceed up to the Ticketing level and exit the building. A covered walkway to Terminal Garage #2 passes nearby.

Media Standups Pre-Security at IAD Ticketing Level

At Dulles, the two main security screening mezzanines are separated from public space and operated by TSA. Access requires permission from TSA and escort, so standup opportunities with TSA views are generally not feasible unless Media Relations staff is onsite. The Ticketing level is the nearest alternative.

Media Standups at IAD International Arrivals

International Arrivals process through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Media are not allowed inside without CBP permission and escort. The nearest alternative is in the public waiting area at Baggage #15. Remain behind the stanchions and out of walkways.

Media Standups at IAD / Baggage Claim

There are limited places to stand inside Arrivals/Baggage Claim that don't conflict with passenger activity. A few locations are identified on the map below.

Airfield Access

Airfield access is rarely granted and strictly controlled. Requests for filming in the aircraft movement areas and near the aprons will be handled by the Media Relations Office on a case-by-case basis. Prior notification is essential to ensure adequate staffing exists to perform escort duties. Requests for access will be accommodated to the extent manpower and operational considerations permit. In the event of an emergency situation or other event that requires the full attention of the Airport Operations staff, a prearranged escort may be canceled.

Best Places to View Aircraft Operations

• Outdoor North Terrace and South Terrace adjacent to Terminal B/C on the Departures (Ticketing) level
• Gravelly Point Park on the Northbound George Washington Parkway (contact National Park Service for more information)

• Top level of Garage #1 (Garage 2 temporarily closed to public parking)
• Media Pad in front of the Main Terminal, Departures (Ticketing) level

Police/ Emergency Incidents

If a criminal investigation is underway, approved filming locations will be the coordinated through Airports Authority Police Department Officers on the scene by the Media Relations Office representative serving as Public Information Officer (PIO). Similarly, approved filming locations of accidents or disasters will be coordinated through the Incident Commander by the PIO.