The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has unveiled plans for a major $933 million overhaul of Terminal 1 (famously known as the "Banjo" concourse due to its circular shape) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Serving primarily Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, and Frontier Airlines, the midcentury facility will be completely transformed to modernize passenger flow and support larger aircraft.
1. Out With the "Banjo," In With Modern Gates
The centerpiece of the $535 million airside phase is a brand-new nine-gate replacement concourse built directly north of the current facility.
- No net gate growth: The project maintains the airport's existing gate count, swapping out the nine cramped legacy gates (A1–A9) for modern, spacious holding areas capable of handling larger narrowbody jets.
- Phased timeline: Construction will be staged so that nine usable gates remain active throughout the project, with the new concourse expected to be substantially complete by 2031.
2. A Centralized Check-In Processor Building
The $300 million landside phase introduces a new passenger processing facility (headhouse) adjacent to Terminal 2.
- Streamlined Check-In: Ticketing, baggage drop, and luggage handling will move to this central hub.
- Consolidated Security: Terminal 1's standalone security checkpoint will be eliminated. Passengers will pass through the main Terminal 2 security checkpoints and walk back south through the historic buildings to reach the Terminal 1 gates.
- Target Completion: The headhouse phase and Terminal 1–2 secure connector are scheduled for completion by 2044.
3. Southwest Airlines Dedicated Lounge
As part of the project, Terminal 1 will feature a planned 10,000-square-foot airport lounge. The space is earmarked for Southwest Airlines as part of its broader push to roll out premium airport lounges at key hub airports.
4. Historic Preservation
While the 1970 TWA circular "banjo" rotunda will eventually be demolished once the new gates are operational, DCA's 1941 Historic Main Terminal and its 1948 southern addition will be preserved and renovated. These historic spaces will serve as the architectural bridge connecting the new concourse with the rest of the airport complex.
The Trade-Off: The project replaces DCA's most cramped gates with a spacious, modern concourse and premium lounge amenities. However, eliminating the separate Terminal 1 entrance and security checkpoint means passengers will trade the current quick "curbside-to-gate" convenience for a longer walk through Terminal 2.
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