American Airlines Moves into New Regional Concourse at Reagan Washington National Airport

American Airlines has moved into a new 14-gate regional concourse at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, transitioning their flight operations from Gate 35X. The new concourse replaces remote hardstand gates with new indoor gate areas and amenities.

Fourteen spacious new boarding areas replace the cramped and dated waiting room for Gate 35X - Courtesy American Airlines

Today (April 20, 2021), American Airlines announced that they have relocated their regional operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) from Gate 35X to a new 225,000 square-foot 14-gate regional concourse. The new concourse replaces remote hardstand gates with new indoor gate areas, climate-controlled jet bridges and customer amenities. American will operate up to 85 daily flights from Gates 46-59 in the new concourse this summer. The facility was constructed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) as part of a $1 billion initiative to transform the customer experience at DCA.

In Tuesday’s announcement, American Airlines’ President, Robert Isom, said,

“The dreaded Gate 35X is no more! American’s new regional concourse at Reagan National Airport is fantastic news for our customers. When fully complete, the investments made in partnership with MWAA will finally enable American to deliver a convenient, accessible, world-class product befitting the gateway to our nation’s capital.”

Also commenting on the opening of the new concourse, MWAA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, John E. Potter, added,

“The opening of the new concourse is the culmination of years of work by thousands of employees who overcame numerous challenges and the seismic changes of a global pandemic to deliver a world-class passenger experience at Washington, D.C.’s airports. The airport’s $1 billion investment to transform the traveler experience inside the terminals at the gates and along the roadways will bring a new era of travel to American Airlines’ customers, who can now board regional jet aircraft from jet bridges instead of through Gate 35X.”

Floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Washington, D.C. and a range of new seating options with integrated power provide customers more room to relax and recharge before their flight. - Courtesy American Airlines

The new regional concourse features 850 new seats and a panoramic view of the Washington, D.C. skyline, as well as new amenities including four public restrooms, two mother’s care rooms and an indoor pet relief area. Once completed, the concourse will include 10 new shopping and dining options and a new 14,000 square-foot Admiral’s Club, which is currently scheduled to open in 2022. Additionally, over 20,000 share-feet of ramp space will be dedicated to American Airlines’ wholly-owned regional subsidiaries, Piedmont and PSA Airlines, providing team members new break areas, workspaces and locker rooms. Finally, the concourse also includes a new baggage handling system, which will help expedite the luggage offload and transfer process.

The new concourse incorporates more than 850 new seats in a range of styles and configurations for improved customer comfort. - Courtesy American Airlines

American Airlines’ purpose is to “care for people on life’s journey.” Shares in the American Airlines Group, Inc., trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500.

Source: American Airlines