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What Airport Is DCA? Which City Is It In?

  • Airport Guide
  • Renee Martin
  • 8 minutes

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Have you ever wondered what airport is called DCA? We admit this one’s a bit of a toughie since the airport code does not give much away. But as always, we’re here to help with any airport-related information you need. Stay on to learn all about DCA Airport.

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What airport is DCA?

DCA is the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, one of the three major airports in Washington, D.C. The other two are Washington Dulles International Airport (IATA code: IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (IATA code: BWI). DCA is located in Virginia. People also call it Reagan Airport, Reagan National, or, by its former name, National Airport.

Even though it is commonly referred to as DCA, its full name often confuses travelers. DCA consists of two terminals, five concourses, and 59 gates. Reagan Airport serves eight airlines and offers nonstop flights to more than 100 destinations, including Canada and a few destinations in the Caribbean. 

 Interior of Reagan National Airport Terminal
No machine-readable author provided. Noclip~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Why is Reagan International Airport called DCA? 

IATA (International Air Transport Association) gives each airport an airport code, and the Ronald Reagan International Airport code is DCA. 

What state is DCA Airport in?

DCA Airport is in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a southeastern U.S. state extending from Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains, with a lengthy Atlantic coastline. 

What city is DCA Airport located in?

DCA is in Arlington County, Virginia, 5 miles from downtown Washington, DC, across the Potomac River. It is the closest airport to Washington, DC, the capital of the U.S., and serves as a popular transportation hub for tourists and locals alike. Senators and representatives use DCA quite frequently. It has a lot to offer travelers, including restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and free Wi-Fi all over the airport. 

History of DCA Airport

DCA Airport started its life as ‘National Airport’ in June 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt observed the first official landing. The legend goes that airlines drew straws to figure out who would land first at DCA. American Airlines won the honor and landed first, followed by Eastern Airlines.

National Airport was hailed as the last word in airports when it first opened. It was a convergence of the most cutting-edge innovations in airport planning, construction, aircraft handling, traffic control, lighting, passenger amenities, and vehicular traffic management.

In 1998, Washington National Airport was renamed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in honor of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.

What does DCA Airport stand for?

DCA should logically stand for DC Airport. At least, that’s what we figured, though we couldn’t find any official documentation supporting it.

Is DCA an international airport? 

No, it isn’tReagan International Airport (DCA) is a national airport. It serves domestic flights and a few Canadian and Caribbean flights. There are no immigration or customs facilities at DCA, and only people with preclearance privileges from U.S. Customs and Border Protection are allowed to travel internationally.

Why DCA?

DCA has a lot to offer travelers, in addition to its convenient location and transportation options. In the airport’s terminals, there are places to shop and eat, including restaurants and snack shops. Travelers can also take advantage of free Wi-Fi, charging stations, lounges, and special services for veterans.

It is also close to highways, trains, and shuttles that connect to the rest of the Washington metropolitan area. DCA makes it easy for travelers to get to downtown D.C., and its location gives visitors the best views of the Capitol and other city landmarks. Travelers can connect directly to the Metrobus or Metrorail system from the airport.

Navigating DCA Airport Terminals

You might find it hard to navigate Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport because it has two terminals and many concourses. We recommend checking out the Reagan International Airport Terminal Guide before you get there.

How do you get to/from DCA Reagan Airport?

You can access Reagan Airport via the Metrorail station connected to Terminal 2 of the Concourse Level. The taxi stand is outside the baggage claim for those hailing a taxi. A cab to downtown Washington, DC., will cost approximately $20. Another convenient option is rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. Driving is another option. DCA has several parking options, including onsite and offsite. 

Is Dulles or DCA bigger?

Dulles is larger than DCA in terms of size and passenger volume. DCA covers 861 acres, while Dulles sprawls over 13,000 acres!

Which airport is better, DCA or IAD? 

Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the closest to downtown Washington, DC, making it ideal for those who want to explore the city’s attractions. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), about 25 miles to the west in Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Northern Virginia, is the best choice for international passengers. 

Is there a shuttle between DCA and IAD?

Private shuttle services run between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).

What is the wait time at DCA airport?

The average wait time at DCA is around 10-15 minutes, but it might go higher during peak travel periods. You can check this online tracker to know the current average TSA wait time at DCA.

Reagan Airport (DCA) Map & Flight Information   

You can find all the details about DCA Airport on our terminal map. Our Ronald Reagan Airport Map will help you find the flight schedules, the best restaurants and shops, parking options, and other available facilities. 

Layover at Reagan Airport?

Interior of a DCA Airport Lounge
airbus777 from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At DCA Airport Lounges, you don’t have to worry about boredom. Relax, unwind, and enjoy the experience. 

DCA Airport facts

  • Because of its proximity to the U.S. capital, the airport has strict security measures in place, so travelers are advised to arrive plenty of time before their scheduled departure.
  • The “perimeter rule sets the maximum nonstop distance for flights into and out of National.” The current limit is 1,250 statute miles.
  • The federal government ran DCA until President Ronald Reagan’s administration gave control to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which had just been set up.
  • At the DCA Airport, there is a Presidential Aviation Exhibit with planes used by former U.S. presidents. Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon all used Air Force One. Also on display are the presidential helicopters used by Presidents Eisenhower, Johnson, and Nixon.
  • DCA is one of the few airports in the U.S. that has a direct connection to the Metro (subway), making it easy to get to and from because it has its own station on the Washington Metro system.

DCA Airport parking

The airport offers hourly, daily, and economy parking, so travelers can choose what works best for them. The airport also has a program for reserved parking, which lets people reserve a parking spot ahead of time, and a cell phone lot for people waiting to pick up passengers who have just landed. Prices for parking at DCA can change based on how long you stay and what kind of parking you choose.

There are also plenty of offsite DCA parking options available. These can be a cost-effective solution to the prohibitive costs of parking directly at the airport. These offsite DCA parking lots, including hotel parking, usually offer shuttle services to and from the airport. Some of them even provide additional amenities, such as car detailing and valet parking.

FAQs

Is DCA Reagan only domestic? 

DCA Reagan serves mostly domestic destinations, barring a few Canadian and Caribbean destinations. There are no immigration or customs facilities at DCA, and only people with preclearance privileges from U.S. Customs and Border Protection are allowed to travel internationally. 

Where is DCA Airport? 

DCA Airport is in Arlington County, roughly 5 miles from downtown Washington, DC. 

What is the Washington Reagan Airport code? 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport code is DCA. 

Where is Reagan National Airport? 

DCA is in Arlington County, 5 miles from downtown Washington, DC, across the Potomac River. DCA is the closest to Washington, DC. The physical address is 2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd, Arlington, VA 22202, USA 

Is DCA in D.C. or Virginia?  

DCA Airport is in the Commonwealth of Virginia; however, it is the closest airport to Washington, DC, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The address is 2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Road, Arlington, Virginia, US 22202. 

What is DCA Airport? 

DCA is the common name used for Ronald Reagan Airport in Arlington County, Virginia, directly in front of Washington, DC, across the Potomac River. DCA is the IATA code for Regan Airport. It is one of two primary airports that serve the Washington metropolitan area; the other is Dulles International Airport (IAD). 

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