Washington Dulles International Airport

Washington Dulles International Airport
Name	Washington Dulles International Airport
IATA	IAD
ICAO	KIAD
FAA	IAD
Owner	Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
City-served	Washington metropolitan area
Location	Dulles, Virginia
Opened	November 17, 1962
Hub	United Airlines
Elevation ft	313
Coordinates	38, 56, 40, N...
Website	https://www.flydulles.com/

Washington Dulles International Airport is a major international airport in the Eastern United States, located in Dulles, Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. Operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which also oversees Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, it serves as a primary gateway for the Washington metropolitan area and a major hub for United Airlines. Named for John Foster Dulles, the 52nd United States Secretary of State, the airport is renowned for its iconic main terminal designed by architect Eero Saarinen.

History

The need for a second major airport to supplement the capacity of Washington National Airport was identified in the 1950s, leading President Dwight D. Eisenhower to select a site in rural Virginia in 1958. The airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 and named in honor of the late John Foster Dulles. Its innovative design by Eero Saarinen, featuring a sweeping, wing-like roof, was intended to symbolize the future of jet age travel. Major expansions over the decades include the addition of midfield concourses accessible by the unique mobile lounge system, later supplemented by an underground AeroTrain system, and a significant international arrivals facility opened in 2023.

Facilities

The airport covers approximately 13,000 acres and features four runways, with the longest capable of handling the world's largest aircraft like the Airbus A380. The landmark Eero Saarinen-designed main terminal houses ticketing, security, and a variety of dining and retail options. Passenger operations are spread across the Main Terminal and two large midfield terminal buildings, Concourses A/B and C/D, connected by the AeroTrain and the original mobile lounges. The airport is a major international gateway, featuring a dedicated U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Services facility and serving as a focus city for United Airlines and a hub for Aer Lingus transatlantic flights.

Airlines and destinations

Washington Dulles International Airport is a primary operating hub for United Airlines, which maintains a large domestic and international network from the airport, including flights to London Heathrow Airport, Frankfurt Airport, and Tokyo Narita International Airport. It is also a focus city for United Express and serves as the primary U.S. gateway for Aer Lingus. Over 40 airlines operate from Dulles, offering non-stop service to more than 125 destinations across the globe, including major cities in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Other notable carriers include Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, and Delta Air Lines.

Ground transportation

Ground access is provided by the Dulles Access Road and the Dulles Toll Road, which connect directly to the Capital Beltway and downtown Washington, D.C. Public transportation includes the Silver Line of the Washington Metro, which opened a station at Dulles in 2022, providing a direct rail link to the region. The Washington Flyer coach service offers connections to the Wiehle–Reston East station and other locations, while numerous private shuttle, taxi, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available. The airport also features extensive parking facilities, including garages and economy lots.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced few major accidents. The most notable incident was the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 in January 1982, which struck the 14th Street Bridge and crashed into the Potomac River shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport, not Dulles. In 1994, a USAir DC-9 overran the runway during a training exercise, resulting in minor injuries. The deadliest accident involving a flight originating from Dulles was the 1996 crash of Birgenair Flight 301 in the Dominican Republic, which was due to instrument error unrelated to the airport itself.

In popular culture

The distinctive architecture of the main terminal has made it a frequent filming location, featured prominently in movies such as *Broadcast News*, *Die Hard 2*, and *The Bourne Ultimatum*. It has been used as a stand-in for other locations, including an Antarctic research station in *The X-Files* and a Las Vegas airport in *Ocean's Eleven*. The airport also appears in television series like *Homeland* and *The West Wing*, and is referenced in literature, including works by authors like Tom Clancy.

Category:Airports in Virginia Category:Transportation in the Washington metropolitan area Category:Buildings and structures designed by Eero Saarinen