Airport Code: IAD

Airlines: Aeroflot, Air Canada, Air France, Air Jamaica, AirTran, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Atlantic Coast Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Midland, British Airways, BWIA International Airways, Continental, Delta Airlines, Grupo Taca, Ethiopian Airlines, jetBlue, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Midway Airlines, Midwest Express Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Sabena, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Spanair, Sun Country Airlines, Swissair, TransWorld Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic.

History: After World War II, it was obvious that even though National Airport had only been opened in 1941 it was already overcrowded. Congress passed the second Washington Airport Act of 1950, and a 10,000-acre site 26 miles west of downtown Washington was chosen in 1958. Only 3,000 acres were graded for the new airport, leaving a considerable buffer region and establishing the new airport as a good neighbor in what was then Virginia countryside. Architect Eero Saarinen designed the main terminal building, and construction began on September 2, 1958. Dulles International Airport (named for John Foster Dulles) opened four years later, in 1962, with three runways. A specially-designed "mobile lounge" was designed to transport passengers between the terminal and aircraft parked on a jet ramp half a mile away; today the vehicles bring passengers to outlying terminals separate from Saarinen's building.

Getting There/Away: Economy, daily, hourly, and valet parking are available at the airport, totalling space for more than 20,000 vehicles. Washington Flyer has an exclusive contract with the airport to provide taxicab service and also provides a connection to the West Falls Church Metro station. Rental cars are available.

Shopping/Dining: More than 50 shops and restaurants. Several newsstands, duty free shopping, and bookstores. Also Liz Claiborne, Brookstone, Altitunes, DC Marketplace, and other stores. Eateries include Burger King, McDonald's, two Chinese fast food shops, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Vie de France, Samuel Adams Brew House, Ben and Jerry's, and other options. Several Thomas Cook Foreign Exchanges offices are available.

Official Website: http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/index.htm

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