Washington D.C.-area passengers have three main choices when it comes to choosing an airport. Dulles International, Reagan National, and Baltimore-Washington all have their pros and cons. Simple Flying takes a look at which Washington area airport is the best.

Washington area airports

The three main airports serving the capital of the United States are:

  • IAD: Washington Dulles International Airport
  • DCA: Ronald Reagan National Airport
  • BWI: Baltimore-Washington International (also known as Thurgood Marshall International)

Washington Dulles International Airport

Known more commonly as Dulles, IAD is one of the more well-known of the area airports. The airport is located about 26 miles, or just over 40 kilometers, from the capital. A hub for United, the massive airport serves not just as an origin or final destination but also caters to connections.

United and its partners fly to a number of high-profile international services including Accra, Johannesburg, Beijing, Munich, Istanbul, Lisbon, Zurich and Tokyo among others. However, passengers can also catch a flight on Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, KLM, and Emirates among many other choices.

United hub Washington Dulles
United is still growing from a major hub at Washington-Dulles. Photo: United Airlines

In terms of international connections, Washington-Dulles is the best Washington area airport. With nonstop services to Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America, passengers have a number of opportunities for connecting and nonstop flights top long-haul destinations.

Moreover, a number of carriers outside Star Alliance also offer services to IAD. This means that, out of most airline hubs, IAD is one of a few where passengers are not necessarily "hub captives" when it comes to long-haul international services.

Ronald Reagan National Airport

Reagan National is the smallest of the DC-area airports. However, this airport is the closest to the capital. While this could be a boon to many other area airports, Reagan National suffers a few constraints.

First, because of the airport's location, growth is limited and the airport can only handle scheduled domestic flights on smaller aircraft. In terms of international services, these must originate from airports that have preclearance facilities. This limits the number of foreign airports from which carriers can fly.

Ronald Reagan National Airport
Reagan National is the smallest, but the best for proximity to the capital, of all three Washington area airports. Photo:

Those who may be enticed by the airport's close location to the capital, however, will also have to contend with route restrictions. Barring a few exemptions, air service is not allowed to exceed a distance of 1,250 statute miles from the airport. Thus, most service is regional.

However, there are exceptions for service to the following cities: Austin, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Juan, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon according to the official Reagan National website.

DCA route restrictions
DCA is only allowed to receive flights from within a perimeter of 1,250 statute miles. Rendering created at Great Circle Mapper

Baltimore-Washington International

BWI is the main airport for Baltimore, Maryland. However, the airport does also serve the metropolitan DC-area. The airport is about 30 miles, or just under 50 kilometers, from Washington D.C. This places the airport within the same distance as IAD from the capital. However, compared to IAD, service at BWI is not as extensive internationally. Although, the airport does see international service from Air Canada Express, British Airways, and seasonal Condor service.

Baltimore-Washington International
BWI is another airport serving the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Photo: James G. Howes via Wikimedia Commons

However, Southwest Airlines operates a major hub at the airport. This may be a huge plus for family travelers who would want to take advantage of the airline's generous checked baggage policy.

The new initiative for purchasing Southwest tickets is not yet available for web browsers but works within the Southwest app. Photo: Southwest

Which Washington airport is the best?

Ultimately, this depends on what passengers prefer.

Business travelers who value proximity to the capital may prefer Reagan National. With service to high-traffic cities, the airport does offer some lucrative opportunities.

For international service, however, IAD offers a compelling choice. The airport is a major hub for Star Alliance carriers but also sees service from a number of other airlines.

And, BWI is a great option for passengers who wish to fly Southwest as it is a similar distance from the capital as IAD. With nonstop service to a number of domestic and international destinations, BWI is also an option to look at. Not to mention, from Baltimore's MARC station, it is a short train ride to Washington D.C.

Which is your favorite Washington-area airport? Let us know in the comments!