Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA)
Large airport · Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Airport data
| Name | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KDCA |
| IATA | DCA |
| Elevation | 15 ft (5 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°51'8" W 77°2'16" 38.85210, -77.03770 |
| Location | Washington, District of Columbia, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
About Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wikipedia
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 7,169 ft (2185 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 04/22 | 5,000 ft (1524 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 15/33 | 5,204 ft (1586 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at a glance
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a large airport in Washington, District of Columbia, United States, known to airline systems as DCA. The field elevation of 15 ft (5 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KDCA are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 01/19 — offers 7,169 ft (2185 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KDCA shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Base Andrews | KADW | 15 km (8 NM) |
| Davison Army Air Field | KDAA | 20 km (11 NM) |
| Fort Meade Executive Airport | KFME | 35 km (19 NM) |
| Washington Dulles International Airport | KIAD | 38 km (21 NM) |
| Washington Manassas Harry P. Davis Field | KHEF | 44 km (24 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 15 ft field elevation of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
What is the ICAO code of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is KDCA, and its IATA code is DCA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport above sea level?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport sits at an elevation of 15 feet (5 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport located?
The airport lies at 38.8521, -77.0377 — in Washington, District of Columbia, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Joint Base Andrews, about 15 km away.
Does KDCA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KDCA appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 01/19, measures 7,169 ft (2185 m) with a ASP surface.