When does Dulles open?
The Airport is open 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. Check with specific airlines to find out when their ticket counters open and close.

How can I find information about weather at the Airport and the Airport's status?
MWAA Homepage www.mwaa.com.

How do I make ticket reservations?
Contact an airline directly for ticket reservations.

Click for list of Dulles Airport's airlines

How can I find out if there are any delays at the Airport?
For Airport-wide delays, go to the FAA website and click on "IAD" for Dulles to get updated travel information.

For status of specific flights arriving at Dulles, click here, and for status of specific flights departing out of Dulles, click here.

To confirm information, call the airline or check the airline's website for the most up-to-date flight arrival and departure times. The Airport Main Terminal and Concourses also have flight display boards.

Which gates and terminals will I need to use?
Check the flight information displays in the Airport when you arrive.

Click here for a map of the Airport showing airline locations.

The airlines have gates at the Main Terminal and midfield Concourses. Passengers arriving on international flights are transported by mobile lounges from the airplane to the International Arrivals Building (IAB) located on the lower level at the West end of the Main Terminal.

Is smoking permitted inside the Airport?
Smoking lounges are located near gates B38, C4 and D30.

Note: Although TSA has announced that cigarette lighters are not permitted in carry-on baggage, each passenger is allowed up to four books of safety matches. (Strike-anywhere matches are prohibited.)

What is being constructed at Dulles, and what is D2?
The construction currently underway at Dulles is part of a major capital investment program known as Dulles Development, or D2.  The program was approved in 2000 by the Airports Authority Board of Directors to enable the Airport to keep pace with air service growth and accommodate the future traveling needs of the Washington region.

D2 involves a wide range of projects, including but not limited to: construction of two Daily Parking Garages, permanent Z-gates at the Terminal, new Airport Traffic Control Tower, additional runways and an automated Airport Train System and train stations.  The original 1962 Eero Saarinen-designed terminal was also renovated as part of the d2 program.

For more information about D2, please see this link.

What is the Airports Authority?
For “Frequently Asked Questions” about the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, please see this link.

Dulles is physically located in Virginia but has a Washington, D.C. mailing address and zip code 20041. Where is the Airport located legally?
Washington Dulles International Airport was built on Virginia land acquired by the federal government. It is legally locates in Dulles, Virginia.

When the federal government operated Reagan National and Dulles prior to 1987, both Airports had Washington, D.C. postal addresses. To help identify the service area more easily for travelers, the Airports Authority did not change the postal addresses.

Where can I find driving directions to the Airport?

Follow this link for Dulles Directions

Or, for door-to-door directions using an internet mapping website, enter "IAD" or "Washington Dulles" as your destination.  Some websites allow you to select from a list of airports since the address is not commonly known.

What is the Dulles Access Highway and who can use it?
The highway was built to serve Dulles Airport users and, by federal law and Airports Authority regulation, it is restricted to Airport users (see Metropolitan Washington Airports Regulations, §4.2).

The Access Highway is Airports Authority property, and the Airports Authority Police have primary police jurisdiction along with the Fairfax County Police and the Virginia State Police.

Who has jurisdiction over the Dulles Toll Road?
The Virginia Department of Transportation built the Toll Road on Airport property. The Virginia State Police and Fairfax County Police have primary jurisdiction over the toll road. The Airports Authority Police also have jurisdiction on the Toll Road.

Which types of short-term and long-term parking are available?
The Airport has an Hourly lot and a Valet Parking lot directly in front of the Main Terminal.  Two Daily Parking Garages with enclosed walkways are located near the Main Terminal and are also served by free Shuttles.  Economy Parking lots are located further away and are served by free Shuttles.  The Airport also has a free Cell Phone Waiting Area.  Please click here for detailed information and rates.

Which types of ground transportation are available?
Rental cars, Washington Flyer Coaches, taxis, shuttles and limousines are available. Washington Flyer Coaches take passengers to the West Falls Church Metro Station for Metrorail connections. SuperShuttle and limousines offer door-to-door service. Metro buses carry passengers from Dulles, making stops in Herndon, Va., Rosslyn, Va., and L'Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C. These same buses travel to Dulles via L'Enfant Plaza, Rosslyn and Herndon, Va. Click here to see detailed tranportation options.

Are there shuttles to help get around the Airport?
Courtesy parking shuttles take passengers to and from the Main Terminal and parking lots every 10 to 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. Passengers with disabilities can request Disabled-Accessible Courtesy Service by calling 703-572-4558.

Courtesy service can also be accessed via the call boxes at shuttle stops near the handicapped parking spaces in the economy and daily parking areas. The following shuttle bus shelter locations feature call boxes: Blue Lot 3, 5, 7 and 9; Green Lot 11, 14, 15, 16, and 18; Gold Lot 19, 21, 25, and 26; and Purple Lot 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8. 

Can persons without tickets accompany travelers to the airline gates?
According to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security measures, only ticketed passengers or authorized personnel are allowed through security checkpoints. Special arrangements can be made with your airline for accompanying children or others needing assistance to get to the gate. Please check with your airline for details.

Can I park a vehicle in front of the Main Terminal long enough to get out and unload my luggage?
You will be allowed to unload your baggage on the departures/ticketing level. Just make sure someone is with the vehicle at all times. Unattended vehicles are subject to towing.

Where is the best place to wait for and meet arriving passengers?
At the Airport, you can meet arriving passengers at the baggage claim areas. Passengers from domestic flights arrive through the doorway behind bag claim #7, and international passengers arrive through the doorway at bag claim #15. Passengers can also be picked up at the curb on the Arrivals level roadway.  The curb is located up the ramps from any “Arrivals Doorway” on the baggage claim level.

Note: Curbside parking is prohibited except for immediate loading and unloading. If you are meeting a passenger, do not park along the curb. Unattended vehicles will be towed. Instead, park in the paid parking areas (the first 20 minutes are FREE) or up to one hour in the free Cell Phone Waiting Area. 

When should I check in for my flight?
Passengers are generally urged to arrive 1 ½ to 2 hours before domestic flights, and 2 ½ to 3 hours before international flights to allow time to get through airline ticketing and security. Contact your airline for more specific instructions.

Click for list of Dulles Airport's airlines

Is curbside check-in available?
Some curbside check-in is available. However, this service varies by airline because of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) restrictions. Check with your airline ahead of time.

Note: If the national threat level is raised to Code Orange, or high risk of terrorist attack, curbside check-in may be closed. You can find more information on the current threat level and others at www.whitehouse.gov/homeland

How do I check in if I have an e-ticket versus a paper ticket?
Generally, passengers with e-tickets may check their luggage curbside and proceed to ticket counters or kiosks to obtain a boarding pass. However, contact your airline since procedures vary.

When passing through security checkpoints, you will need to show your boarding pass and photo ID.

How can I contact the Immigration Service or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service?
Contact the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) at 703-661-7100.
Contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service at 703-661-2800.

If I transfer from an international flight, when do I clear customs?
You will clear customs at Dulles before transferring to another flight. Only after you collect your baggage and clear customs will you be allowed to make your connection. Passengers arriving from Canada may have the option to pre-clear customs; check with your airline to see if this option is available.

For planning purposes, please be advised that clearing customs takes approximately one to two hours; this can vary depending on flight schedules.

Who operates the security checkpoints at Dulles?
The Airport’s security checkpoints are staffed and supervised by the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and are not under the Airport’s direct supervision. 

What can I bring through the checkpoint in my carry-on baggage?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibits weapons, explosives, and incendiaries. Other items that may seem harmless but may be used as weapons are also prohibited.  Please click here to see the TSA's full list of permitted and prohibited items.  Click here for TSA rules about carry-on liquids and gels.

Some carry-on items need to be removed from your carry-on luggage and visibly placed in a bin for screening at the checkpoint.  These include laptop computers, other electronic items, baby milk, and liquids and gels in 3-ounce containers in a one-quart zip-top plastic bag. Also, be prepared to turn on all electronic devices for screeners if they request it.  Please click here for details from TSA about the screening experience.

To contact the TSA directly with questions or feedback, call the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 or visit: http://contact.tsa.dhs.gov/default.aspx

Are there any other security procedures I should expect?
You may be subject to random security checks, which are regulated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These are strictly random and, according to code, you will need to have your carry-on items available for more detailed inspection.

Note: Increased TSA security measures are in place and passengers are required to have a government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or current passport. You can help expedite clearing security by having your boarding pass and photo ID readily available prior to entering the security screening areas.

What are the baggage restrictions?
The airlines regulate baggage size and weight limits, so check with your airline. Travelers are permitted one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer.

Please note that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security measures require screening of all carry-on luggage. Passengers are urged to leave any sharp objects (e.g., pocket knives, scissors) at home or in their luggage checked in at the ticket counter.

Are there any places to store baggage?
No. Both short-term and long-term baggage storage at the Airports have been suspended by order of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  Contact your airline to see if they offer any services for checking baggage on a long-term basis. 

Is the Internet available at the airport? How much does it cost?

Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the airport from your wifi-enabled laptop computer. Simply activate your internet browser to connect. Rates are established by the service providers shown on the startup screen. Click here for more information.

Also, public computer terminals with Internet access are located in wall-mounted telephone enclosures in the following gate areas:

• Concourse B, gate B22 (two sit-down units) and gate B37
• Concourse C, gates C6, C16 and C28
• Concourse D, gate D7

The access fee is $3.50, plus a $4 charge per 10 minutes - which equals about a $27.50 hourly rate.

Where can I exchange money?
Foreign currency exchange is available at the Business Service Centers at the east and west ends of the ticketing level in the Main Terminal and in Concourses B, C and D. There are also two Thomas Cook Foreign Exchanges in Concourse C and one in Concourse D. Hours of operation at each location vary, but range from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Whom do I contact for Lost and Found information?
Complete information about lost and found items at the airport is available here.

Can I reserve a meeting room at the Airport?
All Airport meeting rooms are only for groups doing Airport-related business with the Airports Authority. However, the local hotels may be able to assist you.  See this link for contact information. 

What are the policies and regulations for traveling with children under the age of 16?
The child and adult must have boarding passes and the adult must have a valid photo ID and be able to vouch for the identity of the child.

What are the policies and regulations for traveling with pets?
The rules vary by airline, so contact your airline for details and to make pet travel arrangements. Once you have entered the Main Terminal, pets must be in a carry case. Only seeing-eye dogs are allowed on a leash inside the Main Terminal and Concourses.

Note: There is no grassy area for pets after passing through security at Dulles. If you are catching another flight and a pet needs to use the grassy area, you will have to exit the Main Terminal. Remember to take your photo ID and boarding pass outside with you so you can re-enter through security.

What do I do if I need wheelchair assistance?
Wheelchair assistance is a service provided by the airlines. You can pre-arrange for a wheelchair and other passenger services by contacting your airline.

What do I do if I have specific medical needs?
If you have medical metal pins, plates or screws and are concerned about going through security, contact your airline for special assistance. You can also contact a TSA Customer Service Representative for advice.  The 24/7 contact number is 1-866-289-9673.

Generally, all prescription medical supplies are allowed through security checkpoints, but if you have specific concerns contact a TSA Customer Service Representative at the number shown above. 

When do the vendors open?
Concession hours vary. You will need to check with each vendor individually to confirm hours of operation.

Which concessions and restaurants are available at Dulles, and how can I contact them?
Dulles has more than 35 food vendors of all types to complement the 38 retail stores, as well as several shops under construction. The Airport's concessions and their contact information are listed at this link:

Dulles Airport concession contact information

Whom should I contact if I am interested in concession opportunities at the Airport?
To inquire about concession opportunities involving rental cars, parking, taxicabs and general aviation, contact:

Bernie Patchan, Manager, Contract Management
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
Washington Dulles International Airport, MA-236
Washington, D.C. 20041

To inquire about concession opportunities involving food & beverage, retail, newsstands, duty free, luggage carts, pay telephones, in-terminal advertising and land development, contact:

T. Paul Dorrington, Manager, Concessions & Property Development
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
1 Aviation Circle, MA-430
Washington, D.C. 20001-6000

For more information, please call 703-417-8756 or visit this link.

Can I stay overnight in the Airport?
There are many hotels close to Dulles with transportation to and from the Airport. However, passengers are allowed to stay in the Main Terminal or Concourses overnight if they wish. Seating may be limited. Restroom facilities are available but other facilities may be closed during overnight hours.

How can I get information on hotels close to the Airport?
You can find Dulles-area hotels at this link.  Hotel information can also be obtained from any of the three Travelers Aid locations in the Main Terminal.

Where can I find a map of Washington, D.C.?
Go to the Washington, D.C., tourism website at http://www.washington.org/. 

What should I do if I want to work at the Airport?
For jobs within the Airports Authority, please see this link for available positions and application procedures.  The 24-hour Job Information Line phone number is 703-417-8366.

Send completed application forms to:

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
Employment Dept. MA-510
1 Aviation Circle
Washington, D.C. 20001-6000