Washington Dulles International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Virginia |
| Washington Dulles International Airport | |
| Location | Dulles, Virginia |
| IATA code | IAD |
| ICAO code | KIAD |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/ |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | |
| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | |
Dulles International is one of three major airports serving the Washington D.C. area (the other two being Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA/KDCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI/KBWI)). It is by far the largest of the three, and serves as the main international gateway for the U.S. capital city. The airport serves as an international hub for United, and, until the airline went out of business, also served as the hub for ill-fated Independence Air. The airfield has three main runways: 1L/19R, 1R/19L, and 12/30.
Official Spotting Locations
Udvar-Hazy Center Observation Tower
The observation and viewing tower at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center provides fairly decent views of aircraft approaching the 1's, and deparing the 19's, as the tower sits between the approach paths of the 1's. Some color correction will be required, as the windows cause photos to have a blue tint to them.
I wouldn't recommend this location at all. You can get much better shots of arriving airplanes from the parking lot in front of the museum.
Other Spotting Locations
Udvar-Hazy Center Parking Lot
The parking lot for the Udvar-Hazy Center is considered by many to be better than the observation tower itself, especially for 1R landings. From the entrance to the parking lot, proceed past the museum and park at the far end of the lot. Other spots may have more trees to contend with. Parking is $12/day; museum admission itself is free. Restrooms and food are available in the museum.
Locations to Avoid
Location
Regular Traffic
IAD gets some great rare (for the USA) airlines, such as Ethiopian and South African plus Saudi Arabian.
Facilities and Transportation
External Links
- FlyIAD.net - Spotters Guide to Washington DC Area Arports