City: Washington, DC

Category: Getting Here, Getting Around

Telephone: (703) 417-8560

Description: The September 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, just a few miles away, greatly impacted Reagan National, as President George W. Bush decided to exercise extreme caution and close the bustling airport. Gradually the airport bounced back and resumed business as usual, albeit with tighter security.The $400-million main terminal that opened at Reagan in July 1997 is a dazzling landmark—the cornerstone of the airport authority’s hefty modernization and improvement program for both Reagan and Dulles. Designed by award-winning architect Cesar Pelli, the spacious terminal, with its scalloped roof and striking control tower, proves as convenient as it is eye-catching. As passengers follow clearly marked paths to their gates, they can enjoy the skylit views in the high, vaulted ceiling; admire tiled floor medallions, colorful railing panels, murals, glass friezes, and sculptures designed by nationally known artists; browse in shops like Brooks Brothers and the National Geographic Store; and grab snacks or meals at various sit-down and take-out restaurants. Joined to the terminal by a covered walkway, one of three parking garages offers quick access. A stone’s throw from the pedestrian bridge, Metro’s Blue and Yellow Lines pick up and deposit riders. Reagan, which has served the region since 1941, will only get better, not bigger, as airport officials like to say. Reagan is the region’s close-in, short-haul airport; it handles domestic traffic only, with nonstop flights limited to 1,250 miles. The number of landings and takeoffs each day is tightly controlled by federal regulations to limit noise. In Arlington County just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway and abutting the Potomac River (from which much of the airport’s landmass was claimed), it could not be much closer to the heart of Washington, D.C. Under normal traffic conditions, it’s about a 10-minute ride from the airport, up the parkway, over the 14th Street Bridge, and into the District. It’s only about another five minutes to Capitol Hill. Reagan is unbeatable for convenience. Just ask a member of Congress or anyone who works or lives in nearby Crystal City, Rosslyn, or Alexandria. The airport is served by all the major domestic carriers and a host of commuter airlines, as well as the popular US Airways and Delta shuttles that ferry passengers hourly between Washington, New York, and Boston.