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Take a peek inside American's new concourse at its Washington DC hub

Sept. 04, 2020
3 min read
Take a peek inside American's new concourse at its Washington DC hub
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Any traveler who has flown on an American Airlines regional jet from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport's Gate 35X knows how terrible the experience is.

Flyers on what amounts to 14 "gates" are stuck in a cramped, basement holdroom while they wait to board a bus that will take them to their aircraft. 35X is widely derided and well known among Washingtonians as the worst gate at the airport.

Travelers will be able to say goodbye to Gate 35X in a little under a year. Washington National (DCA) operator the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is in the midst of its $1 billion Project Journey expansion that includes a new concourse for American's regional flights that will replace the gate by next July.

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MWAA has shared a look inside work on the concourse whose rise has been watched closely by flyers and locals alike. Located on the northern end of Terminal B/C, the facility will sport 14 gates designed for Embraer E175-sized jets plus a new Admirals Club and local dining and shopping options.

Project Journey also includes new security checkpoints that will move Terminal B/C's iconic National Hall -- the hall overlooking the ramp with Cesar Pelli's soaring Jeffersonian Domes -- inside security. This will provide travelers with more dining and shopping options before their flights, as well as allow flyer connections between concourses without exiting and re-entering security.

While the concourse is due to open on time, work on the checkpoints is running several months late. Airport officials have said the coronavirus pandemic may allow them to accelerate work on the checkpoints enough that they open close to the original March date.

Related: The most dreaded gate at DCA is temporarily closing

COVID-19 did offer travelers one unexpected benefit: it temporarily closed 35X early amid the steep drop in flyer numbers in the pandemic. While the number of flights and passengers has risen in the ensuing months, the former remains at historically low levels.

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Airlines plan to fly just over a quarter of the number of flights they flew a year ago -- or an average of 105 per day -- in September, according to Cirium schedules. American will only fly up to 75 daily departures compared to 247 departures in September 2019, and of those only 8% are on the 50-seat regional jets that formerly frequented Gate 35X.

Rules that ensure American uses more than 80% of its slots, or face losing them, are waived through the end of October, airline spokesperson Nichelle Barrett told TPG. The airline is evaluating its November schedule and has not made a decision on whether to resume pre-pandemic flight levels.

Related: Why I bike to my flights from Washington National Airport

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
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  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

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    $125
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    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

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  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.