IAD

IAD is the IATA airport code for Washington Dulles International Airport, a major international gateway to the United States. Located in Loudoun County, Virginia, about 26 miles west-northwest of downtown Washington, D.C., it serves the Washington metropolitan area. The airport is operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which also oversees Reagan National Airport.

Opened in 1962 and named for John Foster Dulles, the U.S. Secretary of State under President Eisenhower, the airport was conceived to expand air travel capacity for the national capital region. Over the decades it has grown into a principal international hub, with a strong emphasis on long-haul international routes and United Airlines as a major operator. It has undergone multiple modernization projects to expand terminal space and improve passenger flow.

Facilities include a central terminal complex supported by a midfield concourse and an automated people-mover system that connects gates. The airport handles both domestic and international flights and serves a range of national and international carriers. Ongoing modernization programs have added new gates, expanded security, and updated amenities.

Ground transportation options include the Dulles Toll Road and nearby Interstate 66, taxi services, rideshare, parking facilities, and bus services. Since 2022, Washington Metro's Silver Line provides rail access to the airport, linking it with the broader Washington area. IAD continues to be a key aviation facility for the region, supporting both passenger and cargo traffic.