Getting ready forRonald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Reagan National gives out free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards from 10 am to 6 pm at the pre-security information desks and the USO in Terminal 1. Curiosity Runway, just after the North Security Checkpoint, is a play space with a slide and a cloud crawler. The Interfaith Chapel is always open as a quiet place.
Sensory supports. Free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards at the information desks, plus a play space after security and a quiet chapel.
Hours
Sunflower lanyards: 10 am to 6 pm. Information desks: Monday to Friday 7 am to 9 pm, Saturday 7 am to 7 pm, Sunday 8 am to 8 pm. The airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Lanyard pick-up at the pre-security information desks and the USO in Terminal 1, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 2401 S Smith Blvd, Arlington, VA 22202
“This program allows individuals with invisible disabilities to be discreetly identified. It serves as a prompt for someone to discreetly make airport personnel aware that they may need a helping hand, patience, or simply more time.”
“Lanyards can be picked up from the USO or pre-security Information desks between 10:00am and 6:00pm.”
“Anyone traveling through either airport who needs assistance can pick up a free sunflower lanyard at all pre-security information desks, including baggage claim, and the USO lounges at both airports. Staff will be on the lookout for the lanyard as a cue to offer assistance.” mwaa.com
“The Interfaith Chapel is always open and offers travelers a quiet place for reflection.”
Lanyards are handed out from 10 am to 6 pm, a shorter window than the information desks' hours, so a desk may be open while lanyards are not being given out. Plan to pick one up between 10 am and 6 pm.
The chapel holds services and prayer times: Protestant worship Sunday at 11 am, Catholic Mass Sunday at noon, Jewish prayer daily at noon, and Islamic prayer daily at 1:30 pm and 4 pm. Other times may be quieter there.
Pick up a free Sunflower lanyard between 10 am and 6 pm at the North and South security checkpoint desks, Baggage Claim 6 and 10, Terminal 1 Baggage Claim 2, or the USO in Terminal 1.
Curiosity Runway is just after the North Security Checkpoint between the C and D gates. It has a Paper Airplane Climber, the Jetsetter Slide, a Cloud Crawler for the youngest kids and an "I Spy" Observation Deck. It is open during airport operating hours, it is unsupervised, and adults must stay with children at all times.
The Interfaith Chapel is at the south end of Terminal 2, across from Gates B10 to B22, directly behind Dunkin Donuts. It is always open, and all persons are welcome.
DCA's Path of a Passenger video shows what you may meet traveling through Reagan National, and its Air Travel Resource Webinar has preparation tips from TSA, United Airlines, the Airports Authority and Travelers Aid.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
Ask before you go
a sensory room
Call (703) 910-8114More about Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards
Quieter
Interfaith Chapel, south end of Terminal 2, across from Gates B10 to B22, behind Dunkin Donutsquiet zone
Travelers Aid volunteers in royal blue vests staff the information desks: Terminal 2 Concourse Level across from the North and South Security Checkpoint exits, (703) 910-8114 and (703) 910-8113; Terminal 2 Baggage Level South, (703) 417-2664; Terminal 2 Baggage Level North, (703) 417-2667; and Terminal 1 between the baggage carousels and the security checkpoint, (703) 417-8385. You can visit or call a desk to have your party paged.
Unisex companion care restrooms are before security in Terminal 1 (next to the restrooms in the airline ticketing lobby and by the Historic lobby) and in Terminal 2 (next to each set of restrooms on the Concourse level, and by Bag Claim 1 and 12), and after security, one per concourse. Adult changing tables are after security at Gate E46, in North National Hall across from the Capitol One Lounge, and in South National Hall between the C and B gates.
Arrange a wheelchair through your airline or with any Skycap, and tell your airline ahead of time.
Only ticketed passengers go through security, but an airline may issue a gate pass to someone who is not flying in some cases. Ask your airline, with a valid photo ID.
The Metrorail station (Blue and Yellow lines) connects to the Concourse level of Terminal 2; Terminal 1 is a short walk inside. There is no baggage storage at the airport.
Wings for All, a practice trip run by The Arc of Northern Virginia with the Airports Authority, United Airlines and TSA, has been held at Reagan National: families check in, go through TSA security, wait at the gate and board a real plane that taxis but does not take off. Spots are limited by the size of the plane; ask The Arc of Northern Virginia about the next one.
For a disability access complaint, the Airports Authority's ADA Coordinator, Charles Wilson, is at (703) 417-8639 or charles.wilson@mwaa.com.
TSA Cares can help at security; see the TSA Cares page.
Call
(703) 910-8114Information desk, Terminal 2 Concourse Level (help and paging)(703) 417-8639MWAA ADA Coordinator (disability access complaints)
