IAD Washington Dulles International Airport Guide for 2026
Main terminal, A/B/C/D concourses, the Aerotrain replacement of the Mobile Lounges, the Silver Line metro, lounges, and how to track every IAD flight in 2026.
Quick facts
Washington Dulles (IAD / KIAD) is United Airlines' East Coast international gateway. The Eero Saarinen main terminal is iconic; the rest of the airport is mid-2010s expansion.
- Concourses: A/B (United mainline + international), C/D (United Express + Lufthansa, AF, BA), main terminal (everyone else)
- Aerotrain: automated underground people-mover, replaced most "Mobile Lounge" flights from terminal to remote concourses
- Silver Line metro: opened 2022, IAD → Foggy Bottom in ~50 minutes
- Time zone: America/New_York
Connections
United runs an aggressive transatlantic wave bank at IAD. Minimum domestic-to-international connection is 60 minutes; for international-to-international plan 90+ minutes including a long Aerotrain ride.
Lounges
- United Polaris Lounge (C concourse) — one of the best in the network.
- United Club (multiple, A/C/D concourses).
- Air France Lounge (A concourse).
- Lufthansa Senator Lounge (B concourse).
Track your IAD flight
FlightyFlow handles IAD's complex multi-concourse layout cleanly with accurate gate updates, and predictive delay alerts catch DCA-area thunderstorm patterns before they cascade through United's hub.
Frequently asked
Is IAD or DCA better for downtown DC?+
DCA is far closer (4 miles) to downtown. IAD is 26 miles west and the Silver Line metro takes ~50 minutes. Pick DCA when possible for short trips.
Are Mobile Lounges still used at IAD?+
Mostly retired in favor of the Aerotrain. A handful of remote international gates still use them at peak times.
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