Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest major airport to downtown Washington DC and one of the most restricted commercial airports in the United States. DCA handles around 25 million passengers per year and sits just across the Potomac River from downtown, about three miles from the US Capitol. Federal regulations impose tight restrictions on DCA operations, including the perimeter rule that limits nonstop flights to airports within 1,250 miles of DCA (with a small number of exempt slots allowing longer routes) and restrictions on aircraft size. These rules, combined with the airport's short runways, mean DCA is almost entirely used for domestic regional and medium-haul flying. The airport has three terminals, with Terminal 2 being the flagship building serving the largest airlines including American, Delta, United, and Southwest. DCA's proximity to Washington DC makes it the preferred airport for government officials, lobbyists, and travelers based in the District or Northern Virginia who do not want to drive to Dulles. The airport is served by the Washington Metro's Blue and Yellow lines, which provides the most direct rail connection of any major American airport.