Washington Dulles International Airport

Washington Dulles International Airport is an international airport in Loudoun County and Fairfax County, Virginia, serving as one of the main air hubs for the capital region. It connects the greater Washington area to more than 140 destinations on several continents, with operations spread across multiple concourses linked by an underground transit system.

President John F. Kennedy opened the airport on November 17, 1962, to meet the growing demand for air travel after World War II. The site was selected to relieve congestion at National Airport and provide a larger international gateway to the capital.

Architect Eero Saarinen designed the main terminal with a sweeping concrete roof that curves outward like a wing, creating an open interior flooded with natural light. The building became a landmark example of mid-century modern design and influenced airport architecture around the world.

The Silver Line of the Washington Metro reaches the airport through a station that opened in 2022, offering a direct rail link to downtown Washington. Travelers can use this train connection to avoid highway traffic and reach the city center more quickly.

The facility uses mobile lounges and Plane Mates, specialized vehicles that ferry passengers between terminals and directly to aircraft parked on the tarmac. These vehicles can raise and lower themselves to dock with plane doors, allowing passengers to board or exit without traditional jet bridges.

Location: Loudoun County

Location: Fairfax County

Location: Virginia

Inception: November 17, 1962

Architects: Eero Saarinen

Official opening: 1962

Reference: IAD

Operator: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Address: Saarinen Circle

Phone: +17035722700

Website: https://flydulles.com/iad/dulles-international-airport

GPS coordinates: 38.94444,-77.45583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 22:10