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🛫 How Many Airlines Operate at Dulles Airport?

🛫 How Many Airlines Operate at Dulles Airport?

Thursday Jan 08, 2026

According to airport statistics, 178 airlines operate flights to and from Washington Dulles International Airport as of September 2025.

This includes:

  • Major U.S. carriers

  • International airlines

  • Regional airlines

  • Cargo operators

Dulles is one of the most globally connected airports in the Mid‑Atlantic region.

 

📍 Where Is Dulles Airport Located?

Dulles Airport is located in Northern Virginia, specifically in Loudoun County and Fairfax County.

Key location facts:

  • 26 miles (42 km) west of downtown Washington, D.C.

  • Serves the entire Washington metropolitan area

  • Official airport code: IAD

 

🌍 How Big Is Dulles Airport?

Dulles is one of the largest airports in the United States by land area.

According to the search results:

  • 13,000 acres (20.3 sq mi / 52.6 km²)

  • Ranks third‑largest in the U.S. by land area, behind Denver and Dallas–Fort Worth

Additional size details:

  • 135 airline gates

  • 4 runways currently in operation

  • Capacity for up to 600,000 aircraft operations per year with current runways

 

✈️ How Busy Is Dulles Airport?

Dulles is a major international gateway.

Key stats:

  • 27.3 million passengers in 2024

  • 60,000 passengers per day on average

  • Serves 139+ destinations worldwide

It also handles 90% of the international passenger traffic in the Baltimore–Washington region.

 

🏛️ Who Operates Dulles Airport?

Dulles is operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

It is owned by the United States government and leased to MWAA for operation.

 

🏗️ Notable Features of Dulles Airport

  • Iconic main terminal designed by Eero Saarinen

  • Opened in 1962

  • Connected to the region via the Dulles Access Highway and Metrorail Silver Line

  • Major hub for United Airlines

 

🧭 Summary Table

CategoryDetails
Number of Airlines178 airlines (Sep 2025)
LocationLoudoun & Fairfax Counties, Virginia
Distance from DC26 miles west of downtown
Land Area13,000 acres (3rd largest in U.S.)
Gates135 gates
Passengers (2024)27.3 million
Daily Passengers~60,000 per day
Destinations139+ worldwide
Opened1962
OperatorMWAA
 
 
Malik Muhammad Awan
Malik Muhammad Awan Author