Nobody will miss the current setup. Our take on what’s replacing it.
Gate 35X: Just the mention of this infamously congested departure lounge at Reagan National Airport evokes dread and despair in the minds of commuter-flight travelers. A journey through the boarding area begins with an escalator ride down to what’s typically a standing-room-only waiting area, before an outdoor walk on the tarmac to a shuttle bus. Finally, another stroll through the elements and up the stairs to the airplane completes the first aggravating leg of your trip—and the plane hasn’t even taken off yet.
