DCA question

[PrincesCJM]

I'm likely going to be flying on American for my next trip to WDW. The flights that I am looking at have a connection in DCA. It appears that sometimes the connections are in the same gate area but not always. It is not clear to me if there is a way to move from one gate area to another without having to go through security (see attached screen shot - arrive at gate 35 but depart from gate 34 for example). Anyone have experience with this?

 

[FCDub]

You'll have to exit and re-clear security every time you move to a new terminal. So in your example above, you will have to go back through security.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

DCA terminals are listed as A, B, and C, but that's not really how it works.

Terminal A is a separate building (there is an interior hallway connecting it to the rest of the airport).

Terminals B and C is really one long building with three terminals, that are distinguished by their gate numbers (10-22, 23-34, and 35-45). Gates 10-22 are closest to Parking Lot B, and gates 35-45 are closest to Lot C. Gates 23-34 are between the two.

There is no way to get from one terminal to another without leaving the secured area. So, even if gates 34 and 35 are both listed as "C" they are not actually in the same terminal. Therefore, you will have to go through security for the connection.

The good news is that if you have a lengthy layover, the best places to eat are outside security.

Also, DCA is a very small airport, and it is a very short walk between gates 10-45 (Terminal A is a bit of a walk from the rest of the airport).

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I'm likely going to be flying on American for my next trip to WDW. The flights that I am looking at have a connection in DCA. It appears that sometimes the connections are in the same gate area but not always. It is not clear to me if there is a way to move from one gate area to another without having to go through security (see attached screen shot - arrive at gate 35 but depart from gate 34 for example). Anyone have experience with this?

DCA is my primary airport and American (formerly US Air) is my primary airline.

In the past, there's been a shuttle bus between those two terminal piers so you wouldn't have to go through security. I assume they still operate it, but its been a few months since my last trip out of DCA.

ETA: The May 2017 edition of American's inflight magazine shows this bus:

 

[jdisnut]

If both your segments are on American, you will not need to exit and re-clear security at DCA. If the flights are in different sections of the airport, there is a shuttle bus that will transport you between terminals.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

DCA is my primary airport and American (formerly US Air) is my primary airline.

In the past, there's been a shuttle bus between those two terminal piers so you wouldn't have to go through security. I assume they still operate it, but its been a few months since my last trip out of DCA.

ETA: The May 2017 edition of American's inflight magazine shows this bus:

Wow. Never knew about the shuttle. Good to know!

But, if you do have a longer layover, you might want to exit security for the better choices of food.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Thank you! We'll be traveling with two kids (5 and 1) so I'd rather not have to go through security again. We can deal with the food choices offered gate side.

 

[nordkin]

DCA is my primary airport and American (formerly US Air) is my primary airline.

In the past, there's been a shuttle bus between those two terminal piers so you wouldn't have to go through security. I assume they still operate it, but its been a few months since my last trip out of DCA.

ETA: The May 2017 edition of American's inflight magazine shows this bus:

View attachment 234715

Absolutely correct. I work at Travelers Aid at DCA and tell people about the bus between the two American terminals all the time. There is also an American lounge in both piers as well.