Design unveiled for new concourse at Washington's Dulles International Airport

23.03.2024 - 13:59 / thepointsguy.com / John F.Kennedy / Eero Saarinen / Airlines / Dulles

Big changes are in the works at Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, D.C. This week, the airport's governing body unveiled design renderings for a new, 14-gate concourse that will be a big part of United Airlines' operation at the airport in the coming years.

The new, 400,000-square-foot terminal "E" will essentially run parallel to a portion of Dulles' C/D concourse building, where the bulk of United's hub operation is concentrated today.

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However, it's important to note that this new facility won't actually replace the C/D concourse, though that facility is in need of a replacement.

In fact, this new midfield terminal building will simply replace the ground-level A-concourse gates currently used by United — frequently for flights operated by regional carriers flying as United Express.

This project also won't spell the complete end of Dulles' notorious mobile lounges, or "people movers" — although it will help reduce the usage, according to leaders at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

Regardless, it figures to be a significant improvement for passengers flying out of Dulles, or making a connection there on a United itinerary.

First look: The brand-new Capital One Lounge at Washington Dulles

Designers for the new three-level terminal tried to incorporate imagery from the Washington metropolitan area, make use of greenery and natural light — and draw inspiration from Eero Saarinen, the famed architect responsible for the airport's iconic main terminal building (not to mention the former TWA terminal, now the TWA Hotel, at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport).

As shown in renderings unveiled this week, passengers arriving at the concourse will notice a large wall of greenery, with sunlight pouring in through massive windows.

That's after arriving at the concourse via the AeroTrain system, to which this new facility will connect.

As you ride the escalators up to the main concourse level, there's a mural depicting cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, flanked by restaurants on both sides.

The designs make clear there are plans for a new United Club at Dulles as part of this expansion.

With United expected to be the main airline operating out of this building, the design renderings call for plenty of the airline's signage and logos throughout.

Altogether, it's certainly a far better-lit, more airy and more spacious facility than the concourses United currently occupies at Dulles.

Of the 14 new gates Dulles' new concourse will support, seven could have the ability to accommodate wide-body aircraft — and each of those gates could also be set up to