Signs in DCA’s newest concourse had blacked out “E” before the gate number when it first opened last April. Now DCA will use a letter and number combo for all gates, including in the new concourse.

WAMU/DCist / Jordan Pascale

Changes are coming to the way terminals and gates are named and numbered at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. No airlines or gates are physically moving, but officials think re-naming things could make traversing the airport a little more logical.

Starting this weekend, more than 1,000 signs will be swapped out. Here’s what travelers need to know.

  • Terminals A and B/C will be renamed Terminals 1 and 2.
  • Gates will have a concourse letter A through E added before the gate number.
  • Outdoor signs will also be updated to reflect the changes for drivers trying to garages and drop-off areas.
  • Parking garages will be renamed from A Parking, B Parking and C Parking to Parking 1, Parking 2 South, and Parking 2 North.

The changes are some of the last of DCA’s Project Journey, which created a new concourse, soon to be known as Concourse E, and two new security screening halls.

Previously, DCA housed gates 10-59 in the confusingly named Terminal B/C. Now, Terminal 2 is divided into concourses. For example, Gate 23 will become Gate C23 in the newly named C Concourse.

“We believe these sign enhancements will assist travelers moving through the terminals,” Airport Manager Paul Malandrino said in a statement. “With new facilities constructed as part of Project Journey, updating the signs airport-wide became the next logical step to help passengers navigate the airport.”

Crews will replace all indoor directional signs by the end of this weekend. Road and garage signs will be replaced the week of June 6-10. Airlines will begin using the alphanumeric gate designations on boarding passes and flight information screens on Sunday, June 5.

No airlines are moving around in the airport. Terminal 1, which was previously known as Terminal A, will still house Southwest, Air Canada, and Frontier at the A gates. The renamed Concourse B still have Delta, United, and Alaska airlines. Concourse C has American and JetBlue. Concourses D and E have American flights.

Signs for the parking garages associated with each terminal also will be updated to Parking 1 and Parking 2, coinciding with the new terminal names. The airport’s Economy Parking Lot will keep the same designation.

Related: 

Goodbye, Gate 35X: Here’s What The New Concourse At National Airport Looks Like

DCA’s New Security Halls Open Tuesday. Here’s How To Get To Your Plane

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