The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is gearing up for what is expected to be the year’s busiest air travel period at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. Between May 1 and June 20, 2021, the number of passengers screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at both airports combined rose by nearly 600 percent over the same period in 2020, the highest level of sustained passenger traffic growth since the COVID-19 pandemic began early last year.
 
With an increasing number of travelers passing through the airports and more vehicles transiting airport roadways, here are some helpful tips to ensure you are prepared for a safe, convenient and enjoyable experience when coming to Reagan National or Dulles International this summer:
 
Parking
Travelers planning to park at the airport when departing for a trip will have several options that fit their needs and budgets. At Dulles International, the Economy Lot is open at the rate of $12 per day, while drive-up parking rates in the garages are $17 per day. Meanwhile, close-in parking in the Terminal Lot remains available for $22 per day. Save over 20 percent on garage weekend and weekly parking rates when booking parking reservations at least 12 hours in advance through the online reservation portal. 
 
The Economy Lot at Reagan National is open at the rate of $17 per day with, drive-up rates in both the Terminal A and Terminal B/C garages at $22 per day (or $6 per hour). However, customers can lock in a discounted rate and a guaranteed space in terminal garages when making parking reservations online at least 12 hours in advance. 
 
COVID-19 Safety Considerations
The Airports Authority remains committed to ensuring a safe and healthy experience for passengers when traveling through Reagan National and Dulles International airports. 
 
Per federal regulation, face coverings are still required at all times for everyone over the age of 2 while at the airports and throughout the travel journey. Throughout the airports, sanitation protocols – especially in high-touch areas – have been increased, and passengers will notice hundreds of hand-sanitizer stations, social distancing reminders and plexiglass barriers at key customer touchpoints. 
 
For passengers departing to destinations that require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, XpresCheck has opened pre-security in-airport testing centers at Reagan National and Dulles International and offers PCR and rapid testing. 
 
Concessions Are Open and Available
Although some airport shopping and dining options are temporarily closed because of COVID-19, many food, newsstand and retail concessions remain open and available at both airports, with more reopening as passenger volumes continue to increase. Before coming to the airport, be sure to plan ahead by visiting the shopping and dining website pages for Reagan National or Dulles International, which provide the latest status and operating hours for available concessions both pre- and post-security. 
 
New Nonstop Destinations
There is good news for National Capital Region residents looking for a convenient getaway this summer. With interest in air travel back on the rise, airlines are adding new and exciting nonstop destinations, both domestic and international, from Reagan National and Dulles International that are bookable now.
 
United Airlines launched new flights from Dulles International to Accra, Ghana (ACC), on May 14 and will begin new seasonal nonstop service from Dulles to Athens, Greece (ATH), on July 1. United will also resume nonstop flights to Paris, France (CDG); add a second daily flight to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA); and launch new service to Bozeman, Montana (BZN); and Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE), in addition to resuming their 10 p.m. flight bank, all on July 1. 
 
Other new routes from Dulles this year include Panama City, Florida (ECP), and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR), on United Airlines; Austin, Texas (AUS), on American Airlines; Chicago-Midway (MDW) on Southwest Airlines; and Morgantown, West Virginia (MGW), and Jefferson County (DUJ), Bradford (BFD) and Lancaster (LNS) in Pennsylvania on Southern Airways Express. 
 
From Reagan National, new destinations in 2021 include Florida cities West Palm Beach (PBI), Fort Myers (RSW), Jacksonville (JAX), Panama City (ECP), Pensacola (PNS) and Sarasota (SRQ) on Southwest Airlines, and Asheville, North Carolina (AVL), and Orlando-Melbourne, Florida (MLB), on American Airlines. 
 
The Airports Authority wishes all those traveling through Reagan National and Dulles International a safe journey and an enjoyable summer. For more travel tips and information visit FlyReagan.com and FlyDulles.com.