DCA

When I flew into Washington DC last month, instead of using Dulles (the international airport, which I did fly out from on my return), I flew into National Airport. It has been renamed after President Reagan, but I know – and respect the views of – many of my friends who, on principle, refuse to call it after a President who was disliked as much as he was loved.


The airport is really convenient for the city. It is on the blue and yellow metro lines – and is only a short distance from the Capital (3 miles away). On my 25 mile walk from Mount Vernon to the Senate last year, we walked on the Mount Vernon Trail through the grounds of the airport. Many members of Congress use the airport to travel between Washington and their home districts.

Construction began in 1940, after President Roosevelt made a recess appropriation of $15 million to build a new Airport by reallocating funds from other purposes. Some of the original buildings can still be seen. (The terminal itself is modern).

Information about the airport can be found here.

En Route

This morning I begin my latest visit to Washington DC. However it will be 10.59 EDT (3.59am Thursday) when I finally arrive at Washington National Airport. I will be visiting the airports of Birmingham, Amsterdam and Detroit on the way.


While I’m over there I hope to conduct some further interviews and access some primary material unavailable in the UK, for my doctorate. I also intend to visit some of the places I have yet to spend time at – such as the Newseum. My intention is also to make some videos (as on previous visits) and to comment on and explain how the Federal Government works. I shall also look at State and local government, and report on how the Elections are shaping up in the Northern Virginia and DC areas. (I may even hop into Maryland!). I also look forward to returning to some of my favourite haunts such as St Elmos in Del Ray; Tortilla Coast on Capitol Hill – and of course – the Capitol Building itself.

Flying into Washington DC

There are three main airports serving the Washington DC area. The most famous is Washington Dulles. It is situated 26 miles from downtown Washington in northern Virginia. It is named in honour of John Foster Dulles, Eisenhower's Secretary of State.

Dulles website

The closest to the city is National Airport, which was renamed the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in 1988 - though people refer to it as "National", "Washington National", "Reagan", or "Reagan National". It was built in 1940-41on mudflats alongside the Potomac. The yellow and blue lines on the Metro serve the airport.



National Airport website



To the north of the city, linked by a train service into Union Station is BWI (Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport ). It is about 30 miles from Washington and 10 miles from Baltimore. It became operational in 1950.

BWI website