United Airlines is set to undergo a significant transformation at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), with the airline's hub expanding to become one of its largest and most modern terminals. This expansion is a result of a $22.5 billion redevelopment plan, which will create a 'world-class airport experience' and provide United with the space to grow its operations. The project, unveiled in July 2026, is a major acceleration of the airport's 2025 master plan and will add an estimated 5 million square feet of additional terminal and concourse space.
The redevelopment is split into five key phases, each with its own unique focus. The first phase, Package A, involves expanding and reconfiguring the iconic main terminal designed by Eero Saarinen, adding a new connector to Concourse A, and expanding international arrivals and Concourse Z. The second phase includes an extension of the AeroTrain and a new pedestrian tunnel, linking the main terminal with all concourses. Concourse E, currently under construction, will be fully built out and renamed Concourse C, while Concourse D and Concourse B will be new additions to the airport's layout.
United's excitement about the plan is evident, as it will provide the airline with more and better terminal facilities, enabling significant growth. The master plan includes moving all international flights to the renovated Concourse A and expanded Concourse Z, while the under-construction Concourse E and future Concourse B will be the backbone of its domestic operations. United has already hinted at some of its plans, such as a new luxe Polaris lounge and a 40,000-square-foot Washington, D.C.-themed United Club.
The number of gates United will gain is uncertain, but the airline's count is expected to rise by a quarter to 111 narrowbody-equivalent gates by 2045 under the master plan. This expansion will allow for new international and domestic flights, with United adding nine new routes in 2026. The airline is particularly interested in connecting cities to the nation's capital, as there is more demand than anticipated.
However, the expansion is not without its challenges. The project's price tag is extremely steep for an airport that handled just 29 million passengers last year, and the cost per passenger could be as high as $90. Without federal grants or other outside funding, airlines and travelers may have to bear the cost through higher airport fees and airfares. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of the redevelopment on Saarinen's landmark terminal, with preservation organizations opposing any revitalization approach that compromises the essential form and structure of the building.
Despite these obstacles, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is committed to maintaining the iconic architectural design while transforming the interior spaces. The redevelopment is expected to create a world-class airport experience and provide United with the space it needs to grow its operations.
