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Want to know about Flight Paths?

By Doug Francis

Flight Paths Northern Virginia Doug Francis
Basically, expect an aircraft to fly overhead! Copyright © 2012 Doug Francis

I updated this article to include a new 2024 Dulles Disclosure

One of the benefits of living in Northern Virginia is that you can get a flight almost anywhere in the world at one of the local airports. Each of these “local airports” qualifies to be in the top tier of U.S. airports for passenger traffic and daily flights.

When a real estate client from Texas asked me about airport flight paths over Vienna, VA, I had to say the area is covered with overlapping flight paths. We have Dulles International, Reagan National, Joint Base Andrews AFB, and plenty of helicopters going wherever helicopters can land!

I happen to live in one of the overlapping areas where I can see planes on approach to Reagan National (DCA) to my right, on approach to Dulles International (IAD) to my left, on approach to Joint Base Andrews overhead, and hear a medevac helicopter en route to Fairfax Hospital.

Air Force One over Vienna VA
Air Force One over Vienna

The helicopter wins out in the noise department since the airplanes, for the most part, have low sound output on approach.

On the map above, I did not include BWI Airport which is outside Baltimore and a major Southwest Airlines hub because those planes don’t touch our airspace.

40 million passengers equals plenty of flights

You should know that Washington Dulles International handles over 21 million passengers in 2022, and Reagan Washington National Airport handles over 24 million passengers in 2022.

Added up, that’s a lot of flights!

July 2024: Loudoun County now requires home sellers to disclose if the house is located in the Airport Impact Overlay District.

Loudoun County Airport Impact Overlay District 2024
Click for Loudoun County website

Joint Base Andrews and Military

Although most residents can’t tell the difference, flights on approach to Andrews Air Force Base (in Maryland) make a final approach over Northern Virginia. And one morning at my son’s early morning soccer game in Alexandria VA, I counted ten Air Force C-17’s gaining altitude.

yes, helicopter flight paths too

Helicopter traffic is significant and includes medevac choppers to the hospitals, every imaginable military helicopter including Marine One, Coast Guard helicopters, Fairfax County Police helicopters, U.S. Park Service helicopters, and the TV News choppers out searching for “news”.

In reality, living here isn’t quite as noisy as I may have depicted here. Really!

FYI – It’s just going to be impossible to find a home in Northern Virginia that isn’t near a potential flight path.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: real estate, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Vienna Virginia, Washington Dulles International Airport

About Doug Francis

A seasoned Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug has seen consumer behavior, negotiations and communication styles change. At his original brokerage, he was the first agent to add an email address. Imagine! Outside real estate, he plays tennis, is a Washington Capitals fan, spends time with Skipper (his dog), and enjoys the restaurant scene in the DCA. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, building an addition, and knowing the neighbors. Today, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

So, what’s next after your 25 years? It’s a conversation many of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or get closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead with their updated plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and still sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 .  Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I'm licensed in Virginia with a focus on Vienna, VA real estate since 1991.

That deep knowledge is valuable, especially in today's fast-paced market where advice is critical. Although many of my clients are personally referred, I am available to help you too and am accepting new clients right now.

Feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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