DCA perimeter exemptions [additional slots at DCA ]
 

Updated for 2024. With the FAA re authorization act of 2024, there are now 50 slots allowing operations beyond the 1,250 mile perimeter, supporting 25 round-trip destinations. See table below.

I often see posts like, "I want my airline to fly from DCA to XYZ", where XYZ is beyond 1,250 miles from DCA. Some folks are not aware of the Perimeter Rule which limits how far scheduled flights are able to operate into and out of DCA. The current limitation evolved since National opened in 1941 leading to the 1,250 mile restriction we have today. In 2000, Congress made the first of several exemptions for DCA flights to operate beyond the perimeter, which they expanded in 2003 and 2012. This literally takes an act of Congress and we have 40 slot exemptions today. They authorize the DOT to choose the airlines and destinations (2 slots in each direction). The only exception to this was part of the 2012 authorizations, when Congress authorized the "big 4" at DCA (AA, US, DL, UA) to reallocate one slot pair each from a within-perimeter destination to one outside of the perimeter at their discretion, i.e. they could pick any destination..

I went back and researched the initial exemptions (operators and destinations) to where the slots have evolved currently, represented in the table below.

Hopefully you guys find this helpful (or at least interesting) :)

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f74783ae52.jpg

Sorry for the title misspell. Can't be edited. I never could spell perimeter. :mad::mad::mad:

Thanks for compiling this. It's interesting to see the full list.

Another thanks for the compilation. Slight quibble: Virgin America was VX, Virgin Atlantic is VS.

Of course you are correct - sorry about that - thanks for the correction!

I’m flying dca / Sfo with AS (who bought VX).

please someone confirm that dca has tsa pre lol

Yes: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/map

There has been a recent push to add more beyond-perimeter slots at DCA. https://about.bgov.com/news/adding-l...cal-opponents/
Will these additional slots get approved? If so, which destinations?

If 10 additional beyond perimeter slot pairs were approved, I would see the following:
WN: 1x DEN, 1x LAS, 1x PHX
AA: 1x AUS, 1x SAT
DL: 1x SEA, 1x LAX
B6: 1x AUA
UA: 1x DEN
AS: 1x SAN

Just get rid of the damn thing already. It's long outlived its need.

Also, just so you're aware - you need a slot in each direction, so your proposal would require 20 slot exceptions - with all destinations approved by the DoT. So silly...

Okay just to play the game...

I think there would be a lot of interest in SNA, especially with 4x already to LAX. AS has a lot of activity there and seems like a logical choice.
Would love to see SAN come back. AA might be a more logical choice?
DL would really like to restore 2x SLC. I would see that rather than another LAX.
Totally agree on another 1X for UA to DEN; loads on their one flight have been really high. I could see how an am arrival/departure would be of interest.

Isn't the Perimeter Game fun, boys and girls!!!

Oh SNA would be interesting for sure! I could see AA doing SAN and WN doing SAT too. Was trying to spread out the slots as much as possible (as that's what I'd expect the DOT to do).

Here is the full link to the study: https://capitalaccessalliance.com/wp...e-Analysis.pdf

I gather that they suggest 20-25 additional slot pairs (with some outside the perimeter). While I support additional (10 slot pairs) of beyond-parameter flying, I think that should be the cap as it already gets very busy during AA banks.

Thanks for the link. Interesting that the report starts with: "The Reagan National (DCA) perimeter rule is no longer necessary to support its original objectives. It is, in fact, harmful to the communities and consumers served by the Washington, D.C., airports."
But it doesn't call for the repeal of the perimeter rule but rather round 4 of the slot game, adding "~20 to 25 additional daily in- and beyond-perimeter slot pairs" [40 to 50 new slots].
I'd rather just see them eliminate the rule. I agree that DCA seems pretty congested now and not sure it could handle ~50 additional operations per day.

DC lawmakers chiming in.

https://wtop.com/local/2023/05/dc-ar...agan-national/

Id bet a pretty penny that AA would want SAN as well. Its a big O/D market for DCA.