Design unveiled for new concourse at Washington's Dulles International Airport
Big changes are in the works at Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, D.C. This week, the airport's governing body unveiled design renderings for a new, 14-gate concourse that will be a big part of United Airlines' operation at the airport in the coming years.
The new, 400,000-square-foot terminal "E" will essentially run parallel to a portion of Dulles' C/D concourse building, where the bulk of United's hub operation is concentrated today.
However, it's important to note that this new facility won't actually replace the C/D concourse, though that facility is in need of a replacement.
In fact, this new midfield terminal building will simply replace the ground-level A-concourse gates currently used by United — frequently for flights operated by regional carriers flying as United Express.
This project also won't spell the complete end of Dulles' notorious mobile lounges, or "people movers" — although it will help reduce the usage, according to leaders at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Regardless, it figures to be a significant improvement for passengers flying out of Dulles, or making a connection there on a United itinerary.
First look: The brand-new Capital One Lounge at Washington Dulles
New Dulles concourse design
Designers for the new three-level terminal tried to incorporate imagery from the Washington metropolitan area, make use of greenery and natural light — and draw inspiration from Eero Saarinen, the famed architect responsible for the airport's iconic main terminal building (not to mention the former TWA terminal, now the TWA Hotel, at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport).
As shown in renderings unveiled this week, passengers arriving at the concourse will notice a large wall of greenery, with sunlight pouring in through massive windows.
That's after arriving at the concourse via the AeroTrain system, to which this new facility will connect.
As you ride the escalators up to the main concourse level, there's a mural depicting cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, flanked by restaurants on both sides.
The designs make clear there are plans for a new United Club at Dulles as part of this expansion.
With United expected to be the main airline operating out of this building, the design renderings call for plenty of the airline's signage and logos throughout.
Altogether, it's certainly a far better-lit, more airy and more spacious facility than the concourses United currently occupies at Dulles.
Of the 14 new gates Dulles' new concourse will support, seven could have the ability to accommodate wide-body aircraft — and each of those gates could also be set up to receive passengers arriving on international flights.
If you fly out of Dulles in the coming months, you probably won't notice too many changes at this terminal site; construction crews are just getting to work on the foundation. But passengers should notice the building "really come out of the ground" about a year from now, MWAA leaders said at a public meeting Wednesday.
The new E concourse is expected to be operational by 2026, a spokesperson told TPG on Wednesday.
Larger plans at Dulles
This new concourse is just one facet of significant changes planned over the coming years at Dulles.
The airport welcomed a record 9.3 million international passengers in 2023, and more growth is expected in the coming years.
"We don't have enough gates out at Dulles," MWAA CEO Jack Potter said at Wednesday's meeting. "We're talking about United Airlines growing at 50% in the not-too-distant future. So, as these new facilities are coming online, there will be passengers that will come with it."
The longer-term vision at the airport calls for a total replacement of United's C/D concourse, which has long been needed.
So far, there are no formal plans or designs for such a facility, a MWAA spokesperson told TPG.
A new lease with airlines (most notably United) could lay the groundwork for any such project to move forward. Those talks are expected over the course of this year, after airport leaders Wednesday approved a new 15-year use agreement for Dulles and nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Airport leaders Wednesday also noted the opening of United's new E concourse could pave the way for the demolition of the aging regional A gates that the new concourse will replace — perhaps setting the stage for a future extension of the more modern A concourse used by a host of international airlines.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.