You’re staring at your boarding pass, or maybe you’re trying to book a weekend getaway to the nation's capital, and there it is: DCA.
It’s the official code for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. But if you look at the name "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport," there isn't a "D," "C," or "A" in the primary sequence that makes immediate sense. It’s not RWA. It’s not RRA. It’s DCA.
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Honestly, it’s one of those things that confuses people the first time they fly into the District. You’ve got three airports to choose from—Dulles (IAD), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), and Reagan (DCA)—and if you pick the wrong code, you might end up an hour away from where you actually wanted to be.
Why the code for Ronald Reagan Airport is DCA
Basically, the code is a throwback. Before the airport was renamed to honor Ronald Reagan in 1998, it was simply known as Washington National Airport.
The "DCA" stands for District of Columbia Airport.
It’s a bit of a geographical quirk because the airport isn’t actually in the District of Columbia. It’s located in Arlington, Virginia. However, back when the site was selected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, the goal was to create a "national" airport serving the capital. The code was assigned to represent its service to the DC area.
When President Bill Clinton signed the law to rename it Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on February 6, 1998, the IATA code didn't change. Airport codes are notoriously sticky. Changing them involves massive logistical headaches for global flight systems, so DCA stayed DCA.
The "National" vs. "Reagan" Debate
If you want to sound like a local when you land, call it "National."
There is a long-standing cultural divide in Washington about the name. Many long-time residents and "old-school" Washingtonians still refer to it as National Airport. Some do it out of habit; others do it because of the political history involving Reagan and the air traffic controllers' strike in the 1980s.
Newcomers and tourists almost always call it "Reagan." But everyone knows the code for Ronald Reagan airport is DCA. If you tell a taxi driver "Take me to DCA," they won't ask questions.
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Where exactly is DCA?
It is, without a doubt, the most convenient airport for anyone visiting the heart of DC. It’s literally right across the Potomac River.
- Distance to the National Mall: About 3 to 4 miles.
- Transit: It has its own dedicated Metro station on the Blue and Yellow lines.
- The View: If you’re lucky enough to sit on the left side of the plane (usually) when landing from the north, you get a "River Visual" approach that flies right past the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
It’s tight. The runways are short. The airport is hemmed in by the river on one side and a highway on the other. This leads to some unique rules that most other airports don't have to deal with.
The Perimeter Rule: Why you can't fly everywhere from DCA
You might notice that you can't find many direct flights from DCA to the West Coast. That isn't an accident.
There’s a federal regulation called the "Perimeter Rule." Historically, this rule limited non-stop flights to a 1,250-mile radius. The idea was to keep DCA as a "short-haul" airport and push the long-distance, heavy-plane traffic out to Dulles (IAD).
Over the years, Congress has granted "exemptions." As of early 2026, there are a handful of daily flights to places like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. But for the most part, if you're flying to DCA, you're coming from the East Coast, the Midwest, or the South.
Navigation and 2026 Updates
Traveling through DCA in 2026 is a lot smoother than it was a few years ago. The "Project Journey" construction is largely finished, meaning you no longer have to board a bus at Gate 35X to get to a regional jet.
Terminal 2 (the one with the beautiful "yellow" architecture by César Pelli) is where most of the action is.
Terminal 1 is the historic part. It’s smaller, a bit more cramped, but it has that 1940s charm.
By the way, if you’re a TSA PreCheck member, 2026 is the year Touchless ID has gone mainstream at DCA. You can often get through security without even pulling out your physical ID, provided you’ve opted in through your airline’s app. It’s a huge time-saver because, despite its small size, DCA gets incredibly crowded during the Tuesday-Thursday business travel rush.
Actionable Advice for Your Trip
If you are flying into or out of the code for Ronald Reagan airport, here is how to handle it like a pro:
- Check the terminal twice: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected, but it’s a long walk. Southwest, Frontier, and Air Canada usually live in Terminal 1, while American, Delta, and United are in Terminal 2.
- Use the Metro: Traffic on the GW Parkway can be a nightmare. The Metro station is literally steps from the Terminal 2 gates.
- Reserve Parking: If you absolutely must drive, book your parking online at least 48 hours in advance. The garages at DCA fill up faster than almost any other airport on the East Coast.
- The "River Visual" Seat: When flying in, try to snag a window seat on the left side of the aircraft. It’s arguably the best view in American aviation.
DCA remains the preferred choice for anyone who values time over everything else. It’s fast, it’s close, and once you understand that the code is just a relic of its history as the "District of Columbia Airport," the logistics become second nature.
Ensure you have your airline app updated to handle the new biometric gates being phased in this year. If you're heading to the city center, the Yellow Line is usually your fastest bet to L'Enfant Plaza or Gallery Place. Look for the purple "Kiss & Fly" signs if you're being dropped off by a friend; it’s a lot faster than the main departures curb.
Final tip: if you’re hungry, the new concessions in the National Hall (the area after security in Terminal 2) are significantly better than the old options. There are actual local DC eateries there now, rather than just generic airport food. Just keep an eye on your boarding time—those short runways mean planes depart on a very tight schedule.