ARLINGTON, Virginia — The historic Terminal A (originally Terminal 1) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Built in 1941, this Art Deco style building was the airport's first passenger terminal. Its distinctive design, featuring a central dome and symmetrical wings, has been preserved and renovated, offering visitors a glimpse into the early days of commercial air travel while still serving modern airport functions.
Photograph by David Coleman. Terminal A at Reagan National Airport, originally known as Terminal 1, stands as a testament to the golden age of aviation and the birth of commercial air travel in the United States. Completed in 1941, this historic structure was the first passenger terminal at what was then called Washington National Airport. The terminal's Art Deco design, typical of prestigious public buildings of the 1930s and early 1940s, features a distinctive central dome flanked by symmetrical wings. Large windows offer sweeping views of the Potomac River and the airfield, while the interior showcases period details such as terrazzo floors and streamlined metalwork. Terminal A played a crucial role in the development of air travel in the nation's capital. It was designed to handle the increasing passenger traffic of the pre-World War II era and continued to serve as the airport's main terminal for decades. The building's construction was part of a larger New Deal-era effort to modernize the nation's infrastructure, with involvement from agencies such as the Public Works Administration and the Civil Aeronautics Authority (predecessor to the FAA). In the 1990s, architect Cesar Pelli led a renovation of Terminal A that carefully preserved its historic character while updating it for modern use. Today, the terminal continues to serve passengers while also housing exhibits on the airport's history and early commercial aviation. The restored Historic Terminal A Lobby offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the atmosphere of mid-20th century air travel. The preservation of Terminal A amidst the more modern facilities at Reagan National underscores the importance of maintaining connections to aviation history. It serves as both a functional part of the airport and a museum-like space, educating travelers about the rapid evolution of air travel over the past eight decades.
Size: 7545px × 5030px
Location: Reagan National Airport, Arlington, Virginia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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