Washington, D.C
Washington's DCA Airport Is About to Be More Connected Than Ever
Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the most convenient gateway to the US capital, only a quick metro ride away from downtown DC.
But unlike other major US airports, travelers rarely see new long-haul flight routes being added at DCA. That’s because the US Department of Transportation (DOT) prohibits airlines from flying from Reagan to destinations beyond 1,250 miles—unless they are granted something called a “beyond perimeter exemption.”
On October 16, however, the DOT tentatively approved the following five new long-distance flight routes from DCA, an agency spokesperson confirmed with Condé Nast Traveler:
- Alaska Airlines service to San Diego, California (SAN)
- American Airlines service to San Antonio, Texas (SAT)
- Delta Air Lines service to Seattle, Washington (SEA)
- Southwest Airlines service to Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)
- United Airlines service to San Francisco, California (SFO).
The DCA slot exemptions were granted by the DOT as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Congress required that the selected routes would either (1) provide nonstop service to beyond-perimeter airports that do not already have direct flights to DCA, or (2) have a positive impact on competition in markets with existing nonstop service to DCA.
But why does this DOT rule even exist? “The original perimeter rule was meant in part to shift long-haul flying to newly-opened Washington Dulles airport and also was supported by local groups who didn’t like the noise at the close-in airport,” explains Gary Leff, an aviation expert and Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist. “From 1966 to 1980 the limit was 650 miles. Then from 1981 to 1986 it was 1000 miles.”
Prior to this week’s decision, the federal government had approved three rounds of perimeter exemptions at DCA over the past 20 years. Today, DCA has 20 round-trip flights a day to destinations farther than 1250 miles from the airport, Leff says. This does not include the five new slots, which have yet to launch.
Sunday, March 1, 2026 6:36AM
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The San Francisco Ballet board has voted to cancel its upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center.
The company is scheduled for a four-day run in Washington D.C. in May.
Petition urges SF Ballet to cancel Kennedy Center tour stop as company opens 2026 season
Last year, Pres. Donald Trump overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board, including naming himself the chairman.
That led several artists to cancel scheduled performances.
A statement from SF Ballet says the group “looks forward to performing for Washington, D.C. audiences in the future.”
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At 97, Veteran Harley Wero wasn’t up for a trip to the nation’s capital, so volunteers from the Western North Dakota honor flight brought the trip to him. Wero, his wife Muriel and their daughter Jennifer got to experience Washington, DC, without ever leaving their home.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
WASHINGTON – Beginning on Monday, the D.C. Department of Health will be conducting daily tests for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
It comes more than five weeks after the Potomac interceptor collapse sent millions of gallons of sewage into the river.
The testing will also coincide with an important safety advisory being lifted.
Why it matters:
Director of the D.C. Department of Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, says they will begin daily testing for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers on Monday, along with help from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Currently, D.C. is only testing weekly.
“We feel really secure that the initial sewage is not a threat to people, it’s passed through some time ago, but we do want to get more information about what the long term condition of the river is gonna be and how we should look at it going forward.”
Big picture view:
Monday is also an important day because it’s when the District is expected to lift its advisory that recommends against recreational activities on the Potomac — we’re talking boating, fishing, walking pets by the water.
It’s important to note, however, that D.C.’s advisory pertains to its portion of the Potomac, and it has no bearing on advisories issued by officials in Maryland or Virginia.
Still, this is being treated by many as a hopeful sign.
What they’re saying:
But significant concerns absolutely remain for residents.
“I’ve had tons of messages from people saying they’re not going to let their kids row crew, they’re not going to go to sailing schools. We catch three million tons of blue cats out of the Potomac River. That season starts next week, and they’re not gonna be able to bring those blue cats to market,” said Dean Naujoks with the Potomac Riverkeepers.
“You knew years ago that parts of this Potomac Interceptor were corroded and vulnerable, especially where it broke, in Cabin John, our neighborhood,” one resident said, speaking at a public meeting in Bethesda on Thursday.
“I know there are small business owners here. Who’s accounting for all of our losses that we’re getting due to your sewer blowing up?” another resident asked.
Officials with D.C. Water, which is a public utility, have been running daily tests and will continue to do so as well.
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