DULLES, VA — United Airlines announced it will spend more than half a billion-dollars on Concourse E that will transform the customer experience over the coming years at Washington Dulles International Airport. The 435,000-square-foot, 14-gate concourse will include an expansive new United Club location and state-of-the-art customer amenities that are expected to debut in late 2026.
The new Concourse E [rendering above] is made possible in part due to collaboration between United and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), and local and federal funding such as grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for airport improvement projects that will help facilitate Dulles’ expansion.
United is the D.C. region’s largest airline, with more than 8,000 local employees and more flights and destinations than any other carrier. As part of United’s ongoing growth and commitment to the region, United will open a new flight attendant training center in 2025, and the airline is expanding its network even further with exciting new destinations and is currently operating 25 percent more flights as compared to 2023.
“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.”
United has invested more than $32 billion across its business since 2021. This Dulles expansion and modernization follows similar investments at airport facilities in Denver, Houston, and Newark, and is part of the airline’s United Next plan to invest in infrastructure, people, and technology.
“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.”
New Concourse to Modernize Dulles
Construction is underway on the new Concourse E, which will exclusively house 14 dedicated United gates that will bring additional space to accommodate United Next’s new widebody and mainline planes, which will continue to debut over the coming years.
The modernized concourse will greatly enhance the Dulles experience for United customers, including adding direct and easy access to the airport’s existing Aerotrain station that allows for smoother transport between the main terminal and other concourses. The United gates will feature the latest traveler amenities and technology, expansive gate seating, along with concessions and retail space.
The concourse will also be home to a new 40,000-square-foot United Club. This will be one of the largest United Club locations in the network and will subsequently increase the United Club square footage space at Dulles by 70%.
The 14-gate concourse is one phase of a long-term, multi-phase project for United’s growth at Dulles that is part of MWWA’s master plan for the airport’s future.
“Washington Dulles International is a key economic engine for the National Capital Region, and United Airlines is our essential partner in the rapid and ongoing growth of the airport,” said Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter. “United’s commitment to Dulles – through its support of the new concourse, its long-term expansion plans, including new flights and destinations, investment in new training and technical facilities and the addition of thousands of local jobs – is a testament to the strength of our partnership in promoting regional economic growth and pursuing our mutual goal of providing world-class service to the traveling public.”
Expanded Flight Network Connects D.C. to Even More Destinations
United is the D.C. region’s largest airline, offering more flights and destinations than any other carrier. As a result of its ambitious United Next growth plan, the airline continues to expand its flight network out of Dulles. To-date, United has grown to more than 250 daily departures with plans to grow to nearly 280 daily flights by April 2025.
This year, United launched 13 new domestic routes from Dulles – that is more new domestic routes than any other U.S. carrier has added from any U.S. airport this year. Among those new routes are the only nonstop service from the D.C. region to Anchorage, Alaska and Mobile, Alabama, as well as upcoming service to Palm Springs, California that begins December 19.
