Terminal 1
Gates 1 to 9, serving Air Canada, Frontier and Southwest. Parking 1 is the closest garage, connected by an underground walkway with moving sidewalks, escalators and elevators. The walk takes about five to seven minutes.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Washington, Virginia KDCA #28 US airport by passengers
Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington, D.C. It is the closest major airport to the city center.
- FAA status
- Checking Updated 42 min ago
- Weather now
- VFR 56°F Observed 1 h ago
- Late departures
- 28.1%May 2026 to July 2026
- Security line
- No recent reportsAdd yours
DCA at a glance
DCA has two terminals. Terminal 1 has gates 1 to 9 and serves Air Canada, Frontier and Southwest. Terminal 2 has concourses B to E and serves American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue and United.
The Metro station is connected to Terminal 2 and is the easiest way into the city, on the Blue and Yellow lines. Terminal 2 also has the most lounges, including Delta Sky Club, United Club, Centurion Lounge and three Admirals Clubs.
Main airlines: Terminal 1 serves Air Canada, Frontier and Southwest. Terminal 2 serves American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue and United.
FAA delay status for DCA
We are waiting for the next FAA update. Check your airline for the status of a specific flight.
Source: FAA National Airspace System Status, checked 42 min ago. Airline-specific delays are not shown here.
Current conditions at DCA
VFR
56°F13°C
Good visibility and high cloud base. Normal operations are typical.
- Wind
- 050° 5 mph
- Visibility
- 10+ mi
- Clouds
- BKN 25,000 ft
- Ceiling
- 25,000 ft
- Pressure
- 30.36 inHg
METARMETAR KDCA 101052Z 05004KT 10SM BKN250 13/11 A3036 RMK AO2 SLP278 T01330106
Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center. Observed 1 h ago.
Full weather, TAF, forecast and runways →
On-time performance at DCA
Based on 36,226 departures from May 2026 to July 2026. A flight counts as late when it leaves 15 or more minutes after schedule.
28.1%Departures late
28.0%Arrivals late
4.73%Cancelled
24.4 minAverage departure delay
| Airline | Departures | Late |
|---|---|---|
| PSA Airlines | 10,771 | 32.7% |
| Republic Airways | 6,659 | 21.5% |
| American Airlines | 6,511 | 23.9% |
| Southwest Airlines | 4,041 | 43.6% |
| Delta Air Lines | 2,508 | 23.3% |
| United Airlines | 1,896 | 21.0% |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, On-Time Performance of reporting carriers. Smaller regional carriers and some airlines are not included.
Late departures by month
Terminals
Terminal 2
Concourses B to E, serving American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue and United. Parking 2 connects by two covered walkways to Terminal 2, and the Metro station is on the concourse level.
Moving between terminals
Concourses B to E in Terminal 2 connect airside through National Hall. Terminal 1 requires a fresh security screening if you connect between it and Terminal 2, so allow time for the walk and the screening.
Getting to and from DCA
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Rail
Metro (Blue and Yellow lines)
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Metro station is elevated and connected to the Terminal 2 concourse level by pedestrian bridges. Blue and Yellow line trains both stop here. The Yellow line reaches L'Enfant Plaza in about 10 minutes, and the Blue line reaches Metro Center in about 15. Terminal 1 passengers face a longer walk to the station, roughly 15 minutes, or can take the free shuttle.
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Shuttle
Free garage shuttle and Economy lot shuttle
The garage shuttle runs 24/7 to all terminals. The Economy lot shuttle comes every 10 to 15 minutes and takes about 15 minutes to reach the terminal.
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Rideshare and taxi
Terminal curb
Rideshare and taxi pickup is at the terminal curbs. The airport notes that the cell phone lot has been closed during construction, and that you can wait up to 60 minutes free at the Terminal Garage.
Tips for DCA
- Take the Metro. The station is on the Terminal 2 concourse level and it is the quickest way downtown.
- Reserve Parking 2 at least 12 hours in advance if you are driving. The drive-up rate is $35 a day.
- If you fly out of Terminal 1, plan extra time to walk to the Metro or take the free shuttle.
- Keep a SmarTrip card or a contactless card ready at the Metro faregates, since they are your payment method.
- The Metro station connects directly to the Terminal 2 concourse level, so Terminal 2 passengers have the shortest walk to the train.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal is my airline in at DCA?
Terminal 1 serves Air Canada, Frontier and Southwest. Terminal 2 serves American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue and United. Check your booking to confirm the terminal.
How much is parking at DCA?
Parking 2 drive-up is $7 per hour and $35 per day. Reserving at least 12 hours in advance gives a lower rate. The Economy lot is the cheapest option and uses a shuttle.
How do I get downtown from DCA?
Take the Metro. The station is connected to Terminal 2 by pedestrian bridges. Yellow line trains reach L'Enfant Plaza in about 10 minutes, and Blue line trains reach Metro Center in about 15 minutes.
Which lounges are in Terminal 2?
Terminal 2 has three American Admirals Clubs, a Delta Sky Club, a United Club, the Centurion Lounge and Capital One Landing. Terminal 1 has a USO lounge pre-security.
Is there free Wi-Fi at DCA?
Yes. Connect to #DCA Free WiFi in either terminal and accept the terms.
Can I walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2?
Not airside. Terminal 1 requires a fresh security screening if you connect to Terminal 2, so plan extra time for the walk and the screening.
What do Metro fares cost from DCA?
Fares range from about $2.25 to $6.75, depending on distance and time of day. Pay with a SmarTrip card or a contactless payment card at the faregates.
Is there a free shuttle from the garages?
Yes. The garage shuttle runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and serves all terminals.
Can I see the National Mall on a layover?
Yes, if you have time. The Yellow line from the airport station reaches L'Enfant Plaza in about 10 minutes, and independent layover guides suggest the trip is worthwhile with four or more hours of daylight.
How busy is DCA?
About 12,003,594 passengers boarded flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in 2025, according to FAA enplanement data. That ranks it number 28 among US airports.
How often are flights late at DCA?
Over May 2026 to July 2026, 28.1% of departures at DCA left 15 or more minutes late, and 4.73% of flights were cancelled (Bureau of Transportation Statistics).
Guide content last reviewed October 8, 2026. Report a correction