United Airlines and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority previewed the new Concourse E at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday, a day ahead of its scheduled opening to the public.
The 435,000-sq.-ft. facility includes 14 new United gates, direct AeroTrain access, new dining and retail options, and a new United Club. The new concourse is the airport's first in nearly two decades, according to United, and is part of the $20 billion Dulles Global Gateway capital investment project that will modernize the airport over the next decade.
The new gates allow United to increase its connectivity to other markets by nearly 30 percent during peak travel times, and each is able to support domestic and international flights, with configurations that can accommodate one widebody or two narrowbody planes, according to the carrier.
The new United Club, located across from gates E14 and E16, is nearly 40,000 square feet in size and can accommodate more than 600 customers, according to the carrier. It is the airline's second-largest club and increases its Dulles lounge space by approximately 70 percent. It features a bar, two buffet stations, eight private phone rooms, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and power access at every seat.
The official opening Tuesday marks the completion of the first phase of the Dulles project. Future phases could add the installation of up to 36 more United gates, a new international customs processing area for connecting travelers and one of the world's largest United Polaris lounges, according to the carrier.
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