The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has tentatively granted new slot exemptions to five major U.S. airlines at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024. The move, designed to increase competition and improve nonstop travel options to beyond-perimeter airports, is expected to significantly enhance connectivity to underserved markets.
The FAA Reauthorization Act, signed into law earlier this year, allowed for the creation of 10 new slot exemptions at DCA. These slots are intended to expand service to airports beyond the 1,250-mile perimeter rule, which typically restricts nonstop flights from Reagan to destinations within that range. Following a competitive application process, five airlines — Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines — were selected to operate new services under these exemptions.
Tentative Slot Allocations
The DoT’s decision will see each of the selected airlines launching new routes from Reagan National to key markets:
- Alaska Airlines: Awarded a slot to operate a daily nonstop flight to San Diego (California), which is the largest market currently unserved from DCA. Alaska will be the only airline to offer direct service between these two cities, tapping into a market that sees around 139,000 passengers annually.
- American Airlines: Tentatively approved for service between Reagan and San Antonio (Texas). American’s daily flights will cater to a market with a strong military presence and a growing economy. The San Antonio market, which handled 56,000 passengers last year, is Washington National’s second-largest unserved route.
- Delta Air Lines: Approved for nonstop service to Seattle-Tacoma (Washington), a route also operated by Alaska Airlines. Delta will operate using its Airbus A321neo aircraft, aiming to increase capacity and competition on this high-demand transcontinental route.
- Southwest Airlines: Will launch daily flights to Las Vegas (Nevada), directly competing with American Airlines. The DCA-LAS route currently has a 90% gap in available seat capacity, despite high demand, making Southwest’s entry an anticipated move to lower fares and offer more travel options.
- United Airlines: Gained approval to operate an additional frequency between Reagan and San Francisco (California), bringing its total to two daily flights. United is targeting the corporate travel market, with the new slot expected to increase competition with Alaska Airlines, which holds a significant share of the transcontinental market.
The allocation of these new slots comes as part of a broader effort by the DoT to introduce more competition in routes traditionally dominated by a few carriers. The decision prioritizes markets that previously lacked direct service from Reagan or where competition was limited. According to the DoT, airfares on these routes are expected to decrease as a result of the new services, benefiting travelers across the U.S.
In particular, the introduction of Alaska Airlines’ nonstop service to San Diego and American Airlines’ service to San Antonio is seen as a key step in addressing gaps in nonstop connectivity from the nation’s capital to major U.S. cities. Southwest’s entry into the Las Vegas market is expected to further drive down prices, while United’s additional frequency to San Francisco will provide more options for business and leisure travelers.
The DoT’s final decision on these slot allocations is expected to be formalized in the coming weeks, with services anticipated to begin within 90 days of the final approval.
