#FlyWashington Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 18

Rendering of the New Commuter Concourse PROJECT JOURNEY TRANSFORMING THE PASSENGER EXPERIENCE AT REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has launched Project Journey, a $1 billion, multi-year construction effort to transform the passenger experience at Reagan National Airport. The project is needed because Reagan National was designed to comfortably serve 15 million passengers annually, yet today more than 23 The new commuter concourse will also have spacious waiting and boarding areas, diverse seating options with integrated power outlets and new concessions conveniently located near the gates. Passengers traveling through the commuter concourse will recognize architectural features consistent with Terminal B/C — large million passengers travel through the airport — straining infrastructure, crowding travelers and challenging the airport’s ability to provide a positive customer experience. glass windows, domed skylight ceilings and views of downtown Washington, D.C. The project, which is a customer enhancement that maintains the airport’s current flight capacity, will replace the 14 outdoor commuter aircraft boarding positions now served through Gate 35X with a new commuter concourse, giving travelers direct, enclosed access to aircraft via jet bridges, eliminating bus operations currently in place at Gate 35X. FLYWASHINGTON.COM 16 SUMMER 2017 In addition to the new commuter concourse, Project Journey will also offer passengers traveling through the existing concourses an improved post-security experience. This will be accomplished by relocating the existing security checkpoints so that passengers can move freely between gate areas and enjoy all the amenities the airport offers without having to exit and re- enter the security process. The two new security checkpoints will be constructed above the existing arrivals roadway, connected to Terminal B/C and