MWAA and United Airlines unveil $20bn transformation of Dulles

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, United Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation have announced a landmark $20 billion transformation for Washington Dulles International Airport, creating a next-generation gateway.

Summary:

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) has announced a more than $20 billion capital transformation programme to modernise facilities and enhance the passenger journey.
The decade-long project will introduce upgraded terminals, new concourses, improved baggage systems, enhanced security processing and expanded passenger amenities.
Developed in partnership with United Airlines and other airport stakeholders, the programme aims to position Dulles as a world-class international gateway for the nation’s capital.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – United Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation have announced a landmark transformation for Washington Dulles International Airport with a capital investment programme of more than $20 billion. The project will transform the airport over the next decade into a modern, world-class gateway, enhancing the experience for millions of travellers.

MWAA and United will partner on this transformation to reshape many aspects of the Dulles journey, with new and modernised facilities designed to create a smoother, more efficient and elevated experience from curb to gate, while preserving architect Eero Saarinen’s iconic Main Terminal design.

“This new construction effort builds upon the multi-year Dulles Master Plan, developed in consultation with our airline partners, that will modernise Washington’s main international airport,” said Jack Potter, President and CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “We are grateful for the Trump administration’s interest in accelerating the pace and scope of our plans, and we look forward to building new facilities that will be a source of pride for our nation.”

Travellers can look forward to more than five million square feet of new or renovated space, including new and modernised concourses, an expanded and enhanced Main Terminal with more walkable access to gates, and new train service connecting the airport that will retire Dulles’ mobile lounge vehicles.

“Washington Dulles is the gateway that connects the nation’s capital to the world, and this transformation builds on United’s long-term investment in our hub to deliver the world-class airport experience our employees, customers and millions of travellers deserve,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “We thank the Trump administration and the Department of Transportation for their support as we move this transformative project forward and make Dulles a showcase for the nation’s capital, setting a new standard for airports across the country.”

Dulles’ transformation will bring major traveller-focused upgrades across the entire airport experience, including:

Enhanced entry into the airport, close-in parking facilities, state-of-the-art check-in areas and more efficient security screening for an easier start to the journey.
New and modernised concourses, including replacing the current C/D Concourse, with facilities that will support more and larger aircraft to fly to more destinations around the world.
Additional gates that will give travellers more spacious, comfortable seating areas, dedicated work areas and amenities in bright, expansive settings.
New AeroTrain connections and enhanced walkability, including a central walking tunnel, will make it easier for travellers to move between the terminal, concourses and gates to allow replacement of mobile lounges.
A walkable path to a new, large U.S. Customs facility and improvements designed to make the international arrival experience easier.
Improved baggage handling systems designed to help travellers get their luggage faster.
Additional concessions and airport lounges, including more United Club space and plans for one of the largest United Polaris lounges in the world.

The transformation will occur in phases over several years, with MWAA, United and other airlines and airport partners working together to move construction forward while Dulles continues to operate safely and reliably for travellers. Significant modernisation work is already underway. Later this year, the new Concourse E will open with 14 new United gates that will help the airline expand its international network, provide direct access to the airport’s AeroTrain system, and debut new and enhanced passenger lounges.

Hear more from Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and United Airlines at the 20^th anniversary edition of FTE Global, taking place in Dallas, Texas, on 8 to 10 September 2026. Christian Kessler, Airport Transformation & Innovation Division Manager, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, is participating in a session titled ‘The FTE Data Sharing Think Tank: Will widespread data collaboration ever become a reality?’ Meanwhile, Kushal Pasari, Director of GenAI & ML Engineering, United Airlines, is speaking in ‘The FTE AI Symposium – Part 2: A deep-dive into Agentic AI and the move towards Artificial General Intelligence’.

See the FTE Global schedule at a glance >> Register for FTE Global >>