Washington Dulles International Airport, International airport in Loudoun County and Fairfax County, United States
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.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
