Washington Dulles International Airport is set to undergo a major transformation with the construction of Concourse E, a $500 million investment led by United Airlines in collaboration with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
This ambitious project, expected to debut in late 2026, will elevate the airport experience for millions of passengers annually.
The new 435,000-square-foot concourse will house 14 exclusive gates for United Airlines, providing additional capacity for the carrier’s expanding fleet of widebody and mainline aircraft. As part of the modernization, travelers can look forward to state-of-the-art amenities, enhanced seating areas, and upgraded concessions. The concourse will also include direct access to the airport’s Aerotrain system, ensuring smoother connections between terminals.
One of the standout features of Concourse E will be the new 40,000-square-foot United Club, a premium lounge designed to cater to the needs of modern travelers. This facility, one of the largest in United’s network, will increase the lounge space at Dulles by 70%. From comfortable seating to advanced amenities, the expanded United Club is poised to redefine the pre-flight experience.
This expansion is just one phase of a long-term project for Washington Dulles, which United has called home for nearly four decades. As the D.C. region’s largest airline, United is committed to strengthening its presence at the airport. Over the past year, the airline launched 13 new domestic routes from Dulles, including exclusive nonstop service to Anchorage, Alaska, and Mobile, Alabama.
“Washington Dulles has emerged as a global gateway and these new investments will help deliver the world-class facility that our employees and customers deserve,” said United CEO Scott Kirby.
“Today is one of many milestone celebrations to come in United’s long-term commitment in advancing our Dulles hub.”
“Dulles serves as a critical economic development hub for Virginia and helps travelers get where they need to go. I’ve been proud to help secure federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand the concourses, which will make traveling to and from the airport more convenient,” said Senator Tim Kaine.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the construction of this new concourse because it will enhance the experience of every traveler who walks through the airport. I thank United and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) for their partnership in this effort.”
“Every day, Dulles Airport serves tens of thousands of passengers coming in and out of the DMV region. I’m glad to see this major expansion build on the historic investments we’ve made through the bipartisan infrastructure law and support the construction of the newest concourse at Dulles,” said Senator Mark Warner.
“I look forward to seeing Concourse E come to life with 14 additional gates that will increase flight options and state-of-the-art facilities that will improve the experience of air travelers.”
Local Impact
As one of the largest employers in Loudoun County, United is an employer of choice for many across the Washington region. With its historic growth, in the last two years, the airline hired more than 30,000 people systemwide and plans to hire about 9,000 more in 2024, including more than 700 people in the Washington D.C. area.
United has called Washington Dulles International Airport home for nearly four decades and continues to grow and invest in the Washington region. United recently announced construction is underway to open a new 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Inflight Training Center near Dulles Airport in 2025. This facility is yet another example of United’s commitment to provide the latest and most modern training resources and support for its people.
While United connects the Greater Washington region to the world, its more than 8,000 D.C. area employees are pillars in the communities in which they work and live. Year-round United teams volunteer to pack meals for local nonprofits, mentor area students about the breadth of career opportunities in aviation, and help raise funds for various local organizations, including nearly $4 million to Washington area non-profits, partners, and organizations in 2023.
United also deepened its commitment in the region through D.C.’s sports culture, recently becoming the Official Global Airline Partner of the Washington Capitals, Mystics, and Wizards. United is also the Founding Partner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s upcoming transformation to help revitalize downtown D.C. as a world-class sports and entertainment destination.
United’s significant presence in the D.C. area allows the airline to serve as a critical partner to the federal government on national initiatives from its Dulles hub, including assisting the U.S. military in evacuating thousands of refugees from Afghanistan, as well as donating commercial flights to help deliver baby formula across the nation to American families during an unprecedented shortage.
*Pending foreign government approval
