Washington IAD welcomes Air Premia; has the most international capacity on record

Washington IAD is the gateway for the critical DC area of the country and is one of United Airlines’ busiest international hubs. In 2025, IAD welcomed 10.5 million international passengers, which was its best year to date.

Throughput rose by 1% compared to the prior record in 2024, and by quarter from before the pandemic in 2019. In 2025, international traffic accounted for 36% of the airport’s traffic.

IAD has gained multiple airlines recently.  In 2024, it welcomed the start of flights by Aeromexico, while SWISS returned after more than two decades. The following year Royal Jordanian also launched.

In 2026, two new airlines will serve IAD: Air Premia and EVA Air. On 24 April, South Korea’s Air Premia debuted from Seoul ICN (4-weekly). It joins Korean Air, becoming the first time that the airport pair has had two airlines. On 26 June, EVA Air will commence the first flight between Taipei TPE and IAD (3-weekly), driven, in part, by the Star Alliance link.

International airlines have more capacity than United

In Q3 2026 (July-September), Cirium schedule data shows that IAD has 1.9 million one-way international seats. Capacity has exceeded the prior peak summer record, held last year, by almost 2%.

Some 36 airlines will have international service in Q3, with more capacity provided by non-US airlines (59%) than US (41%). That’s because of the DC factor and IAD being a global gateway, along with United being the only US airline operating internationally in this period. The Star Alliance factor is also significant, as 71% of seats are provided by member airlines.

With 777,000 one-way seats, United is overwhelmingly IAD’s single-largest operator. Some 42 international routes are available in Q3, with the most capacity being to the fellow Star hub of Frankfurt. Europe accounts for more than six in ten of its seats, with 18 routes served. Compared to Q3 2025, three international routes have been added:

• 21 May 2026: Keflavik (daily)
• 23 May 2026: Halifax (weekly)
• 23 May 2026: Quebec City (weekly)

Over 60 international destinations in Q3

Cirium shows that 61 non-US airports will be served in the analysed quarter, which is the joint highest number on record. The fastest-growing areas for capacity increases are Asia (+27% year-over-year), followed North America (Canada/Mexico combined; +21%) and South America (+16%).

The destinations are in 45 countries, with the top five being Germany, the UK, Canada, France and El Salvador. They collectively account for 37% of IAD’s international seats. Compared to Q3 2025, Taiwan will be served for the first time.

With 144,000 one-way seats, London LHR is the most-served market. Some 42-weekly departures are available in July, provided by British Airways (21), United (14) and Virgin Atlantic (7). However, if flights are considered, San Salvador ranks first, with 48-weekly services provided by Avianca (28), Volaris (13) and United (7)