The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is gearing up for what is expected to be the year’s busiest air travel period at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. Between April 1 and May 15, 2021, the number of passengers screened by the TSA at both airports combined increased by nearly 850 percent over the same period in 2020, the highest level of sustained passenger traffic growth since the COVID-19 pandemic began early last year.

With an increasing number of travelers passing through the airports and more vehicles transiting airport roadways, here are some helpful tips to ensure you are prepared for a safe, convenient and enjoyable experience when coming to Reagan National or Dulles International this summer:

Parking
Travelers planning to park at the airport when departing for a trip will have several options that fit their needs and budgets. The Economy Lot at Reagan National is now open at the rate of $17 per day. Beginning Monday, May 24, drive-up rates in both the Terminal A and Terminal B/C garages will be $22 per day (or $6 per hour). However, customers can lock in a discounted rate of $20 per day in the garages when making parking reservations online at least 12 hours in advance.

At Dulles International, the Economy Lot will reopen on May 24 at the rate of $10 per day, while drive-up parking rates in the garages will be $12 per day (or $6 per hour). Meanwhile, close-in parking in the Terminal Lot remains available for $20 per day or $6 per hour with a $2-per-day discount if reserved online at reserve.flydulles.com.

COVID-19 Safety Considerations
The Airports Authority remains committed to ensuring a safe and healthy experience for passengers when traveling through Reagan National and Dulles International airports. 

Per federal regulation, face coverings are still required at all times for everyone over the age of 2 while at the airports and throughout the travel journey. Throughout the airports, sanitation protocols – especially in high-touch areas – have been increased, and passengers will notice hundreds of hand-sanitizer stations, social distancing reminders and plexiglass barriers at key customer touchpoints.

For passengers departing to destinations that require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, XpresCheck has opened pre-security in-airport testing centers at Reagan National and Dulles International and offers PCR and rapid testing. 

Concessions Are Open and Available
Although some airport shopping and dining options are temporarily closed due to COVID-19, many food, newsstand and retail concessions remain open and available at both airports, with more reopening as passenger volumes continue to increase. Before coming to the airport, be sure to plan ahead by visiting the shopping and dining website pages for Reagan National or Dulles International, which provide the latest status and operating hours for available concessions both pre- and post-security. 

New Concourse Opens
Reagan National Airport celebrated a major milestone last month when the new 14-gate concourse, which replaces Gate 35X and transitions American Airlines’ regional operations into jetbridges, opened for passengers on April 20. Travelers departing from gates 46 through 59 should follow signs leading to their gate after clearing security. The new concourse is part of Project Journey, a billion-dollar addition to the airport, which also includes two new security checkpoints set to open later this year.

New Ride App Pickup Location at Dulles International
A new dedicated ride-app passenger-pickup curb at Dulles International is making it easier for passengers hailing an Uber, Lyft or Via when departing the airport. The new curb separates ride-app pickups from the private-vehicle pickup lanes on the main arrivals level, allowing for more social distancing on the curb and easier wayfinding on airport roadways. 

New Nonstop Destinations
There is good news for National Capital Region residents looking for a convenient getaway this summer. With interest in air travel back on the rise, airlines are adding new and exciting nonstop destinations, both domestic and international, from Reagan National and Dulles International that are bookable now.

United Airlines launched new flights from Dulles International to Accra, Ghana (ACC), on May 14 and recently announced plans to begin seasonal nonstop service from Dulles to Athens, Greece (ATH), and resume flights to Paris (CDG) in July. Other new routes from Dulles this year include Panama City, Florida (ECP); Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR); Bozeman, Montana (BZN); Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE); and Barbados (BGI) on United Airlines; Austin, Texas (AUS), on American Airlines; and Chicago-Midway (MDW) on Southwest Airlines.

From Reagan National, new destinations in 2021 include Florida cities West Palm Beach (PBI), Fort Myers (RSW), Jacksonville (JAX), Panama City (ECP) and Pensacola (PNS) on Southwest Airlines, and Asheville, North Carolina (AVL), and Orlando-Melbourne, Florida (MLB), on American Airlines. 

The Airports Authority wishes all those traveling through Reagan National and Dulles International a safe journey and an enjoyable summer. For more travel tips and information visit FlyReagan.com and FlyDulles.com.