Which airport is nicer?
 

IAD or DCA?

Just wondering, in layout, security, and looks.

I heard some bad things about IAD, but also DCA Terminal "A", too. Curious for your perspectives.

IAD is worse. I can't adequately express in words the difference between the two airports.

Are you asking specifically about DCA Terminal A? While Terminal A is an unpleasant experience in every way, it is small enough that the damage it can do to your psyche is limited. Plus, security is still a breeze there compared with IAD.

Just curious: does it really matter? Isn't which is more convenient the only thing that matters? I happen to like DCA a lot more than IAD, but that's not why I use DCA; I fly into DCA because of the convenience of the airlines' schedules and the proximity of DCA to DC. They could convert IAD into the Taj Mahal and that would not change my flying habits (except, perhaps, once so I could check the place out!).

DCA is small, dated, and extremely convenient to the city. While it's not my favourite airport, it is Metro accessible and a 15 minute cab ride from my apartment, so I don't mind it. It also has a few airline clubs if you're a member, although those are small and dated as well.

IAD is large, dated, and (comparatively) inconvenient to the city, but it has a tonne of flights all over N. America and the globe. If I'm flying internationally or transcon, IAD is my choice.

In theory, DC does have another airport, BWI. It is dated, inconvenient (Depending on traffic, at least 45 minutes to the city, and the rental car complex is actually located in Delaware...), and infested with LCCs.

Really, though, it doesn't matter. Airports are crappy and you're only there to get somewhere else. Pick whichever one has the best fares and is most convenient to your destination.

I fly out of all 3. the advantage of BWI is the less expensive off airport parking. other than that, it is lousy, even as an airport.

DCA has good short term parking. the major airline is US, which is about as lousy as lousy can get. i forgot, dca runs out of parking. the ticket counter for US is way undersized. the line can at times take an hour or two if you are planning to/must do line.

IAD has bad security at times.

they do not give FF points for airports, so go whereever you find your best service. They are about even on delays. Customs in PM is better at BWI(could not be worse than IAD)

Personally, having to ride in the "people-mover" things across the Tarmac at IAD is enough to get me to fly to DCA every time.

The only part of DCA that is "dated" is terminal A. The rest is really nice, some of the best terminal facilities in the US if you ask me.

The word "dump" was made for IAD.

DCA is the most incredibly convenient airport. You can get stuck in somewhat long security lines at times just like any airport, but it can also be amazingly fast. Granted this was early in the morning so no lines and no traffic, but I was on the 6:00am Delta shuttle this week. Got in a taxi in downtown DC at 5:20am, i was at the gate at 5:33 and sitting on the plane at 5:36. I love DCA.......

Comparing an international hub to a small regional airport is a bit unfair.

Sure DCA is pretty and convenient, but try to catch a nonstop to the west coast or Europe from there.

Also, more than 2 people in line at the UA counter constitutes a major problem.

Granted there may not be many west coast flights into DCA, but AS flies SEA - DCA and it's a great connection. We get in at 9:30 PM and with Metro and carryon luggage, we should be our hotel by 10:10 PM. Couldn't do that with IAD.

keith

I believe there are a couple of transcons allowed as special concessions to a couple of pols.

The Good News is that 21 more flights to west coast are being proposed by two west coast senators. that's 21 a day!!! I think that is 4000 more passengers a day, 700,000 a year.

check here for parking:

http://www.metwashairports.com/reaga...on_4/parking_2

Any details? Rumors? The website does state the "Perimeter Rule" limiting flights to 1250 mile (except for 6 exceptions). Along with the "High Density Rule" I wonder if the new flights won't be at some very inconvenient hours?

this ain't no rumor. this will happen, just like the mcclain flight to AZ, etc.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...051801858.html

did not get the numbers quite right. 20 additional takeoffs and landings(10 flights?). 12 of which would go to west coast. sponsered by Cantwell(D wash) and smith (R ore).

these things almost always go through.

I haven't been to IAD since 1974 so can't speak of that airport but I wonder why you call both DCA & BWI 'dated'?

At BWI the car rental facility is off site but hardly in Delaware or anywhere that I would consider far away. It is a quick 5 minute shuttle ride. BWI to downtown can be done in about 30 minutes during slow traffic times. Yes, lots of LCCs but that also makes for nice deals. :)