DCA Terminal 1

DCA Terminal 1 is the original terminal building at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, first opened on June 16, 1941. It's the smaller of DCA's two terminals, built around a single concourse, Concourse A, and home to three airlines: Air Canada Express, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

Terminal 1 has one security checkpoint, several restaurants and shops, a USO Lounge, and its own parking garage, Parking 1, which connects to the terminal by an underground walkway. This DCA Terminal 1 guide covers the layout, gates, airlines, and amenities you'll want to know before you travel.

DCA Terminal 1 consists of Concourse A, which has nine gates, A1 to A9. The terminal is not connected to Terminal 2 after security. If you're connecting between terminals, you'll need to exit the secure area, walk to Terminal 2, and go through security again. If you're unfamiliar with DCA's terminal layout, our DCA Terminal Map shows check-in counters, gates, and the walkways between terminals.

Terminal 1 has a single security checkpoint, with both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes. The Terminal 1 checkpoint generally opens at 4 a.m. TSA's general guidance is to arrive at least 2 hours before a domestic flight. Make sure to check the live DCA TSA Wait Times before you leave for the airport, since wait times vary by time of day and season.

Parking 1 is Terminal 1's dedicated garage with rates at $7 an hour up to $35/day. The Economy Parking lot is located farther from the terminal, and a free shuttle connects it to the terminal. You can park in the Parking 1 garage, where the first 60 minutes are free, instead of circling the terminal curb. See our DCA Airport Parking guide for current rates and parking lot options, including onsite and offsite parking choices.

DCA Terminal 1 does not have an airline lounge. It does have the USO Lounge, a free rest space located pre-security, open only to active-duty military members, reservists, and their families. DCA's airline lounges, including the American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, United Club, and American Express Centurion Lounge, are all in Terminal 2.

Terminal 1 has two nursing rooms: one pre-security, near the TSA security checkpoint, and one post-security, near Reservoir restaurant. Each room includes a rocking chair, electrical outlets, a shelf, a mirror, hand sanitizer, and a baby changing table.

To get to DCA Terminal 2, you can use the free, 24/7 airport shuttle bus. DCA Terminal 1 isn’t directly connected to Terminal 2 post-security, so you should allow extra time to transfer between them. You can also reach Terminal 2 by using the enclosed pedestrian walkway, which takes about 5 to 10 minutes to walk.

Unlike larger transfer hubs, there is no airside (post-security) shuttle connecting Terminal 1 to Terminal 2. You will need to exit Terminal 1, transfer via the shuttle or walkway, and clear TSA security again upon arriving at Terminal 2.

Terminal 1's current building, including its original rotunda, dates back to the airport's early years. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has been planning a new nine-gate concourse for Terminal 1, which was in early environmental review as of mid-2026.