Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport, International airport in Loudoun County and Fairfax County, United States
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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This collection brings together the twenty largest international airports in the world by total area. From King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia with its 776 km² to Beijing Capital International Airport with 23.3 km², these aviation facilities represent the most extensive installations on...
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