Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport lies about 42 kilometers west of downtown Washington, D.C., straddling Fairfax and Loudoun counties in northern Virginia. It serves as the region's primary long-haul international gateway, complementing the closer-in Reagan National. Opened in 1962 and named for former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, it was among the first U.S. airports purpose-built for the jet age.
About Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport lies about 42 kilometers west of downtown Washington, D.C., straddling Fairfax and Loudoun counties in northern Virginia. It serves as the region's primary long-haul international gateway, complementing the closer-in Reagan National. Opened in 1962 and named for former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, it was among the first U.S. airports purpose-built for the jet age.
The airport centers on Eero Saarinen's iconic main terminal, with its sweeping suspended roof, which handles ticketing and arrivals. Passengers reach two midfield concourses, A/B and C/D, via an underground people mover known as the AeroTrain. Four runways operate in parallel and crosswind configurations, supporting 24-hour activity. Ongoing capital projects continue to modernize concourses and airside facilities.
Overview
Washington Dulles International Airport lies about 42 kilometers west of downtown Washington, D.C., straddling Fairfax and Loudoun counties in northern Virginia. It serves as the region's primary long-haul international gateway, complementing the closer-in Reagan National. Opened in 1962 and named for former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, it was among the first U.S. airports purpose-built for the jet age.
Airlines
Dulles is a major hub for United Airlines, which operates an extensive domestic network and most of its transatlantic flying from here. It also functions as a focus point for several low-cost carriers serving the capital region. Numerous foreign flag carriers from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America link Dulles directly to their home markets.
Airlines
Airlines flying from IAD
Routes
Top routes from IAD
Nearby airports
Other airports in United States
FAQ
Washington Dulles International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Washington Dulles International Airport is located in Washington, United States (North America), at coordinates 38.950°, -77.450°.
- Its IATA code is IAD and its ICAO code is KIAD.
- Washington Dulles International Airport serves Washington, United States. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Washington Dulles International Airport operates on America/New_York local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Washington Dulles International Airport sits at latitude 38.950° and longitude -77.450°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from IAD include American Airlines, Iberia, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines.
- Tracked destinations from IAD include London.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in United States. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.