Terminals at DCA
Getting to Reagan National
Parking at DCA
Lounges at DCA
Top destinations from DCA
Airlines at DCA
5 things you didn't know about Reagan National
Verified by the CompareFlights team- 1Reagan National's strict 1,250-mile perimeter rule limits most flights to within that distance — only 14 'beyond-perimeter' slots are exempted (Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver and a few others), keeping the airport focused on East Coast and short-domestic traffic.
- 2DCA is closer to Capitol Hill (4 miles by taxi) than any other major US airport is to its city's central political district — close enough that air-traffic patterns near the Capitol require special TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) protocols.
- 3DCA was renamed in 1998 from 'Washington National' — controversial both for its association with President Reagan's 1981 firing of striking air traffic controllers and for the political pushback against renaming an airport after a recent president.
- 4DCA has the most stringent security profile of any major US airport due to its no-fly proximity to the White House — armed Federal Protective Service officers patrol the runways and any incursion triggers an immediate F-16 scramble from Andrews AFB.
- 5Terminal A at DCA is the original 1941 building — making it one of the oldest still-active terminal buildings at any major US commercial airport, and a US Civil Aviation Historic Landmark.
Frequently asked about DCA
Why is DCA so close to downtown DC?
Reagan National opened in 1941 on land along the Potomac that was federally controlled, well before the modern push to keep airports far from urban centers. Its 4-mile distance from the Capitol is by deliberate historical design and is one of the reasons it remains heavily restricted by perimeter and slot rules — Congress balances proximity against demand.
What's the perimeter rule at DCA?
Federal regulations limit nonstop flights at DCA to 1,250 miles in most cases. There are limited exceptions (the so-called 'beyond-perimeter' slots) allowing service to a small number of cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix, and Salt Lake. Other long-haul service runs from Dulles instead.
How do I take Metro from DCA?
The Reagan National Metro station is built into the terminal complex on the Yellow and Blue Lines. From Terminal 2, take the covered walkway from baggage claim or the upper concourse — the trip to L'Enfant Plaza is about 8 minutes, and Metro Center is about 12. Fares run $2.50 to $6.75 depending on time of day.
Is DCA or IAD better for downtown DC?
DCA, by far. It's 4 miles to the Capitol with direct Metro service in 10-15 minutes, versus IAD's 26 miles and 50-60 minutes by Metro. IAD is better for international long-haul; DCA wins for any domestic trip into central DC and northern Virginia.