What happened
The Points Guy reports that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority plans to replace Reagan National Terminal 1's 1970 banjo concourse and rotunda with a 9-gate facility that could open as soon as 2031. The 2025 cost estimate is $835 million. A multilevel processor for check-in and baggage claim would sit on the taxi lot between Terminals 1 and 2.
Southwest is Terminal 1's main airline and would likely use the new gates along with Air Canada and Frontier. Passengers would check in at the processor, use Terminal 2's south checkpoint, then walk through an enlarged corridor and the 1941 historic lobby. The walk from check-in to the farthest gate is estimated at 2,700 feet. About 10,000 square feet is reserved for an unnamed airline lounge. Southwest has teased investing in lounges.
Southwest customers using Terminal 1 would get new gates and a possible lounge, but not before 2031. Nothing to book now, so watch later for which airlines and lounge occupy the new Terminal 1 space.
- Numbers
- $835 million: estimated project cost in 2025
- 9 gates: planned new Terminal 1 concourse size
- 2031 year: earliest possible opening
- 10,000 square feet: space for an unnamed new airline lounge
- 2,700 feet: estimated walk from check-in to farthest gate
- Where
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Terminal 1
- Takeaway
- Nothing to book now; watch later for which airlines and lounge, if any, occupy the new Terminal 1 space.