DC's National Airport - NEW Concourse, Gate 35X, Gravelly Point Park
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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- In this video, we’ll explore one of my favorite airports in the United States: Washington’s National Airport.
If you're considering a trip to National Airport, check out this video first to learn a little bit about this airport! This Washington DC Travel Guide will give you the inside scoop on this airport!
Along the way, we’ll check out
- Gravelly Point Park, a unique vantage point for spotting planes near National Airport,
- Take an unusual means of transportation to the National Airport,
- Pay our respects to National Airport's dearly departed Gate 35X, and
- Check out the brand New Concourse that’s just opened at DCA Airport.
DCA Airport is the most convenient airport to Washington DC. In fact, it's so convenient, it's possible to walk there!
Gravelly Point Park Plane Spotting is one the best experiences an aviation enthusiast can have!
Thanks to the Mount Vernon Trail, you can walk all the way from Washington DC's city center to National Airport! Not many cities in the USA can boast that! (I'll also share a bit about how you can drive or use the Washington DC Metro to reach National Airport.)
National Airport's Gate 35X is a dreaded place for many passengers who've had awful experiences there. But, as much was we hated it...it was still "our" gate, so in this video I show my respect to DC Airport's Gate 35X!
Do you think DCA Airport should be used as a hub airport? Let me know in the comments below.
Also, to longtime Washington, DC residents, it'll always be Washington National Airport. But its full name is Washington Reagan National Airport. Some people call it Reagan National Airport, while others prefer DCA Airport.
0:00 Introduction
3:09 Getting to DCA Airport
5:07 Saying Goodbye to Gate 35X
7:06 Exploring DCA Airport’s New Concourse
Here’s my video about Washington's Airports - Washington Dulles Airport Video:
• Lounge Hopping at Wash...
Airports Revealed:
• Airports REVEALED!
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Music:
Stories - Tape Machines
Saturday Coffee - William Claeson
Glitching Through the Sky - William Benckert
An Easier Walk - View Points
Style At Home - Kikoru
Funeral for a Flower - Sage Oursler
Present (Instrumental Version) - Adelyn Paik
New Found Love - Raymond Grouse
Sparkling Trace - Raymond Grouse
The Street Performer (Sting) - Martin Gauffin
Your "tribute" to gate 35X was hysterical.
Jeb is literally the only person who would do that.
It was pretty funny..🤣
That was too funny
As a DC resident, it's still exciting to fly in and out of DCA every time. Best airport and sights!
True
Hey Jeb, I actually saw you filming this video! I am a pilot for the AA regional side and this new terminal is also great for us too! As far as your question about being a good hub. When I was based in DCA (Currently CLT now), it was way more efficient! Due to the limited real estate on the airport ATC does a great job getting us on and off the ground as quickly as possible! I fly a lot of those routes you mentioned, Id love to have you up front and show you around the CRJ!
Wow! Thanks for watching! Wish you’d said hi. Definitely hope to see you sometime and would love to check out the front of a CRJ!
I've worked at DCA since 1998. Thank you for the kind words about us!
Jeb we NEED to hear you sing in more videos. Image if you made a rap your pet peeves with airlines.
Jeb - Your tribute to 35x was the nerdiest thing in the world AND I LOVED IT.
🤣🤣🤣
@@GreenerGrass LOL
Edit: New Concourse opened at LAX!
Now that's an intro 😍
I was smiling lol
Technically, Jeb, you can walk to any airport if you try hard enough 😉
So true
Hahaha. Good one! At least its has a trail next to DCA, one of the kind, I supposed.
His name is Jeb?
Nevermind
how abt an aircraft carrier…
Well, I’d say that DCA should be a hub airport, but I’m biased since I’m a pilot who’s based here. The river visual approach is even cooler in the air! Pilots get to hand fly it so it’s more fun and challenging than most other approaches we get to do. I get excited whenever they’re on a south flow at DCA.
I've worked at DCA since 1998. We are one of the 10 hubs for AA.
You know someone's a real old school DCA traveler when they call it Washington National and not Reagan National
LOL true! Most locals still call it National!
The airport was renamed by Congress, not by MWAA. Another example of the plantation-style governance of the City of Washington by the Feds.
When people from far away decide to rename your local airport without considering local opinion, maybe you’ll understand.
@@Dr.Schlitz yes, MWAA (airport operator), WMATA (Metro operator), NPS (National Park Service) and local officials from DC, VA and MD were all opposed, and the fact that they didn’t even give funding to make the change was a huge slap in the face of the Democratic stronghold.
I am not a frequent flyer but my parents met in the area and have always called it National. They aren't the biggest fan of Reagan and his fight with the Air traffic controllers union is a strange to then name an airport after him 18 years later. Reagan isn't from the area and it sort of feels slapped on. You can tell how old some is but it sometimes has to do with party affiliation.
Sitting here in the lounge on the 14th floor of the J.W. Marriott watching the inbound traffic into DCA flying past the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, while watching a Jeb Brooks video on DCA. It doesn't get much better than this!
I grew up outside DC and we picked up my grandfather regularly from National. I also remember in Jan. 1982 when Air Florida took off during a snowstorm, ice accumulated on the wings and it crashed into the 14th Street Bridge.
Mt Vernon trail connects to the C&O Canal Towpath, which connects to the Great Allegheny Passage, which connects to the Montour Trail, meaning you can ride a bike from Pittsburgh's airport all the way to DCA
I grew up in DC and I fondly remember waiting at the gate for my father's return from a business trip. My mother would give us a couple of quarters so we could watch the black and white TV's to keep us occupied. Remember those? And I also have fond memories of taking our daughter to Gravelly Point to watch the planes take off and land. Such great memories! Thanks for the video!
Brian, I also grew up in D.C. Cardozo High Class of '69. We both can write a book or make a movie about it, call sign National Airport, the old terminal. When I flew out of there on the weekends (Military) my family could walk to the gate and wait for me to board. The good old days.
Oh the memories of wind, rain, cold, snow, etc when boarding a Dash-8 from DCA to GSO dozens of times from 35X many years ago.
I've worked at DCA since 1998. I'm glad you love our little airport! The new terminal is fantastic! We're now at about 55% capacity, and should be back at 90 to 100% by the end of the summer. 😀
As an European living in DC, I’d say DCA is the most eficient airport in the US. Easy to get in, easy to get out.
Gravelly Point Park is amazing. I caught so many great views of some gorgeous planes!
July 4 2007 had a 4 PM arrival at DCA on the left side of aircraft. I was flying in for a long weekend with my then sweetie, pure magic. The view of the crowds down the mall and around the monuments and the park were just perfect. One of my favorite aviation moments.
As someone Who's lived in Washington D.C. for 20 years, it is a great hub airport!!! If you don't live in Washington D.C. you will never understand the importance of Washington National Airport (DCA). It is convenient and easy to access and depart from while allowing visits to quick metro services. I hope in the future the airport continues to grow and provide more services to additional locations. Dulles Airport (IS NOT IN WASHINGTON DC, IT IS 2 HRs AWAY IN VA.) and is only a great airport for international flights.
The only better views of DCA I had were from the crew chiefs door of a CH-53. Was stationed at PAX and the DC trips were always nice especially at night. Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future, FLY NAVY!!!
Paying a visit to gate 35x is definitely on my bucket list of aviation enthusiasts things to do.
I love Gravelly Point Park! We go every year when we’re in the Baltimore and DC area!
As someone who worked the ramp on 35X, it was quirky but had some good times out there.
I was lucky enough to visit DCA in the left seat of a Cessna 310 (N311V) one very early morning (about 2:00am). Seeing Washington unfold in front and all around you was really special.
Thanks Jeb! As someone who grew up in Baltimore, we always avoided National like the plague! Nice to see the old gal spruced up!
That long walkway reminds me of the walkway that connects the new extension of the A Concourse at CLT to the rest of the A Concourse.
As a native Washingtonian....thank you for calling our beloved little airport, National, instead of that other name....and I won't even say it. It will always be National Airport.
Love Gravelley Point from my days living in DC. The rooftop of the Kennedy Center also had greart views of arriving planes. RIP 35X. Glad it's gone! Nice video.
completely agree, Kennedy Center is the best!
I absolutely LOVE this park! I'm there with FlightAware and LiveATC atleast once a month! Great video!
This intro and perfect planespotting reminds me of the old Kai Tak Airport
The L1011 is the best commercial airliner ever. Something about that 3rd engine sitting on the fuselage and not integrated into the tail fin like the DC-10/MD-11, it just looks right. Also, shout out to the best aviation movie of all-time: The Langoliers.
The 727 also has that 3rd engine design.
I’ve been on the left side of a plane on that approach to DCA, was like wait why are we turning now this close to the ground, haha!
L-1011 fan checking in! I remember flying on Delta's L-1011s at least a couple of times as a kid.
Jonathan, I buzzed around in Delta's L-1011s as often as I could and loved them. One flight they were deadheading the aircraft from LGA to ATL and I virtually had it all to myself. Enjoyed chatting with a gaggle of flight attendants. Such a lovely aircraft, and those plastic tubes they gave us for headphones! When one crashed in Dallas, I truly grieved for it.
Im from DC, and its so nice to see changes to the airport after 10+ years of an outdated small airport
One of my favorite spots to watch flights coming in/out of DCA from Gravelly Point. Also like walking along Mt Vernon trail that goes through Gravelly Point.
I live in the area and Reagan will always be my favorite place to fly out of and spot, gravely is amazing
I love DCA! Yes, it definitely should be a hub!
Flew in and outt of 35x MANY times when I was at university in DC back home to Wichita, KS. RIP
Thank you for this video! I'm not a frequent flyer of American, but the other day I booked a flight to Knoxville, TN out of DCA and so I'm glad I saw this to ensure that I put some more time in to make it all the way down to the new concourse.
I walked to the San Diego Airport from the Gaslamp district when I was there for a football game. Crazy
Jeb, this video gets a big 2 thumbs up for sure! This is my home airport and you get extra credit for that fab intro and for using the proper name for DCA! 👍🏽👍🏽
When I lived in Alexandria VA, I loved the approach from the north
I’m learning a lot thanks to you!!! 😂 RIP gate 35 x
Started with Piedmont in 1988....she was my heart ❤️.
Very modern looking concourse!
Dizzying is an apt description for that carpet! ! !
Great video, Jeb! Gravely Park looks like a great place for planespotting! Two places I’ve had some great planespotting experiences are at Earthquake Park at the runway 14 end of ANC and the runway 8 end of my home airport of JNU. And I think this video added DCA to my eventual bucket list.
I saw the Piedmont retro jet leave BOS today! Such a gorgeous livery
Love this one Jeb! Living in MD we can choose from 3 airports but none compare to DCA. All aviation geeks need to visit Gravelly - a must! Also, L1011 my fav along with the Queen of the skies. I would scan the flight directories in the 80s to book flights specifically on L1011’s. Glad you are back in the sky Jeb.
I love this concourse! I flew through DCA about 2 weeks ago but I couldn’t stop to see it!
Hey Jeb, great video! Shorecrest Drive in Dallas, which winds through Bachman Lake Park is right outside the north perimeter fence of Dallas Love Field. Great for the same sort of up close plane spotting…cheers!
That tribute was epic!!!
Also, no carpet compares to MCO!
Thanks Jeb for everything!
The L1011 was the first airplane my family ever flew on. It was an Air Lanka, now Sri Lankan Airlines, aircraft back in 1995. ✈
I fly the E175 and absolutely love flying this approach!
Your videos are awesome!
That’s a really cool park! I love how airplanes naturally get almost everyone excited!
my fav park ever, a must everytime in DC!
I lived in the area for many years. I spent countless hours at the park with my scanner watching the action. I remember when they were building B,C and D and the area housing the new terminal was a hanger temporarily turned into the main terminal. 35X was truly a nightmare. As far as being a hub, while it is constrained, the vast majority of the flights are not allowed to be more than 650 miles limiting potential destinations due to the perimeter rule.
I just love to watch your videos before I go to bed they are so relaxing. Keep it up
Such a Awesome video
It's been years since I visited DCA. I have fond memories of terminal A. Thanks for the video.
When I visit dc this is the park you rock
Thank you for a great video..I've put this on my bucket list
Thanks for being the first person to welcome me to the demise/replacement of 35X at DCA. Truly wonderful news.
Oh, and my last ever flight on an L1011 was Dec 26, 2000 from PBI - ATL. I think my first ever flight on one might have been in Aug 1985 SFO - ATL. The high ceilings and the elevator to the galley are fond memories. Thmemories of mminimal overhead bin space are not.
Thank you for this great video, of my favourite airport.
Hey Jeb, i work at O'hare for Envoy Air, I work with all the American Eagle regional jets. glad to see you talking about it, makes me happy.
you should do more airport tours....pretty interesting!
Washington National aka Reagan National, was the first airport that I flew out of in 1976, at the age of 12. Flew on Piedmont Airlines. I had been visiting my sister and was returning home to Charleston, West Virginia.
I started watching your videos before I realized we are from the same town :) but now its even cooler! Thank you for all your great content!
I love Gravely Point! But shhhhh.... it's a hidden gem. ;)
Although it's true that American probably doesn't "need" a DCA hub, as it's close to both Philly, NYC and Charlotte, - it's too valuable to give up slots. It's the airport closest in to DC, it's also in the heart of Amazon HQ2. DCA takes in nearly as many passengers as IAD, even if it is almost purely domestic. There is a reason that AmEx is putting their next Centurion Lounge in National and not Dulles.
All of those passengers in a relatively small footprint makes National extremely efficient... I would expect that efficiency helps Charlotte and Philly focus on the bigger mainline and international routes too.
Thanks for the explanation of what 35X was. Saw that this gate was mentioned in a different video but was giving no explanation on why it was so disliked
DCA is the best airport on the east coast. You can be from gate to the heart of DC In less than 30 min if you time it right, and it's easy to get there with public transport - the metro station is just across the street. I just wish there was a way to lengthen the runway so it can handle long-haul flights.
Another great video. DCA is definitely a great story, especially the park area to watch arrivals. 👍🎥
Love your videos! I also love Gravely Point, I've been there recently, but the planes were going the other way, so I couldn't get some cool shots like yours, maybe another time!
You know for gate 35, back in Europe when I was flying from Venice, many many times we parked the airplane in the middle of nowhere and had to take a bus. It was harsh during winter ahah, but also fun. I guess it's a thing we do in Europe, especially for low-cost companies as Transavia, RyanAir, and others.
The walk between terminal B, C and terminal is a really neat walk. Lots of history about the airport. Next time I'm back going to try spend some more time there.
Also worth noting that BWI has an observation park (complete with a walking loop around the airport and an actual playground) at the approach end of Runway 33L.
I had the chance so fly into DCA back in October, and that view of the mall is UNBEATED!
In 2016, probably the best flight on American I had was ORD-DCA. The views were superb.
Great video. Years ago I used to commute to and from DCA once a week. Always checked the winds that morning and picked my seat accordingly. Loved the views flying down the Potomac. Unfortunately, that commute often involved Gate 35X. *That* I won't miss!
On the Metro...now that song is in my head!
I have fond memories of L-1011's!
Wild life....meaning the Canadian Cobra Chicken. ;)
Gravelly Point is awesome (I try to go every Jan. 13 in memory of Air Florida 90 as a friend of mine survived the flight) and everyone in this part of the world is thanking God that we are no longer x-rated. Flying in from CRW, I knew it well.
Excellent review as always, Mr. Brooks. I'm absolutely thrilled that DCA's new concourse is finally open to passengers. Thank you for giving us one of the first looks inside.
As for your question, DCA can absolutely be a hub airport, just maybe not right now. This airport has immense potential, but there are 2 big issues: the runways and the property lines.
When it comes to the runways, having all 3 intersect each other is one of the least efficient ways to get planes in and out. Realistically, there is room to build a parallel runway to Runway 1/19, which would require building a small amount of new artificial land to keep it at a reasonable length.
However, that leads to the issue of the airport's property lines. The entire airport itself is in Virginia, but the moment you set foot in the Potomac, you're in DC. This means that realigning the runways like this would require multiple territorial jurisdictions (mainly DC and Arlington County) to get involved to agree on transferring land area from one to another.
One of these days I hope to see DCA reach its fullest potential, and I'm going to do my part to make sure that happens. This Fall, I am going back to school to pursue a degree in Transportation Engineering, and one idea I already have in the works is a rework of DCA like the one I described earlier. I won't say much, but it would eventually end up with the removal of Runway 15/33, giving the airport room for yet another concourse extension north of this new one.
Thank you again for another great review, Mr. Brooks! Can't wait for the next one!
Ah Reagan, my God home airport. Solid, easily accessed, and compact. Used to HATE 35X until I moved to Europe where I came to enjoy the bus-across-the-ramp experience.
I remember coming from YYZ - DCA into 35X on American. That was a great trip, usually I would fly into A on Air Canada.
one of my favorite things to do here is bike to this park and then stay and planespot. In Geneva, Switzerland there is a spot just like it and when planes land from the Meyrin side, I think they fly even lower than in DC!
Jeb is in my stomping grounds!
Glad, you still call it “National Airport” it’s actual name not, “Reagan National.”
Most locals call it National!
Accurate about "exercising caution" around geese
Former PTI user and FL employee there now at PDX. Good ol’ 35X and non-revving on the USAir Express Dash 8’s to GSO and RDU. Loved eating at the Legal Seafood Restaurant before Security there.
Great vlog as always! In feb 1990 I flew a TWA 727-031 from JFK to STL on to IND. It was a thunder storm like no other, deleys, flights cld. Sitting in the aircraft looking at the catering staff changeing food and drink carts. We landed from the north. I was sure we was slide off the rwy due to all the water! Mamma Mia! We took off for STL, ran to our MD-80, sat and waited for more pax for over an hour. We landed at IND at like 1 am. What a trip. After that we flew up and the east coast to MCO TWA first class. The no.1 AH asked me: What would you like me to call you, Sir? I was like say again. That was a first. Lol!
That intro set the tone man! I love it! :D
My sister used to live on the VA side, so I’ve flown through DCA a number of times. Prior to the pandemic, Delta (and before that, Frontier) ran a daily round trip to Madison, which was really nice. Oddly, the only time I flew American there was when I had to connect via ORD during the holidays when the direct flight isn’t run.
I'll be flying through DCA soon can't wait to see all these changes!
As a northern va resident COOL TO SEE U WENT THERE
my fondest memory of 35x is it closing
I have flown through gate 35X. I remember that one! Took the kids up to Albany and changed planes there.
DCA is such an underrated airport! The new concourse is going to be nice.
Nice video! BWI also has an outdoor observation area where you can watch planes come in. It also has a trail around the airport and links to other trails in the region where the airport is located.
Great video. I have always loved watching planes from Gravelly Point. I never had the opportunity to depart out of 35X yet its reputation precedes it. There are some things I don't mind missing out on.
Thank you for the video!
Amazing airport wish I could be there🤯🤩