Direct Flights Bay Area to Wash, DC
 

Need advice finding non-stop flight on specific airline from SFO, Oakland, SJC to either Dulles or Reagan - airline? airport? planning to travel mid-August

Check kayak.com I suspect you can get a N/S to Dulles on United and perhaps even to National.

United and Virgin America

<<non-stop flight on specific airline>>

Meaning you need it to be a specific airline? Then you need to tell us which one. But you won't have any problem finding a nonstop. As to which airport in DC to use that depends on what you are flying in to do.

There are plenty of non-stops to Dulles. Personally, I would never fly SF to Dulles - I'd rather change planes than have to get from Dulles to downtown DC. There are a couple of non-stops to Reagan.

sf, you took the words right out of my mouth! I agree 100%. The ease of taking the Metro or an inexpensive taxi from DCA (Reagan) vs the nutroll of traveling in from Dulles is no contest for me. Even once the Metro connects to Dulles, it's still a long trip.

AFAIK, United and Virgin from SFO are your only options for nonstop from Bay Area to DCA. SJC and OAK to DCA would be connections. And agree that it is much preferable to fly into DCA than IAD.
Travel from DCA into the District is a snap on Metro, there is a station right at the airport. From IAD it is a $70+ cab ride and can take an hour depending on traffic.

absolutely excellent feedback from the Fodors community, which is why participation has always given me 'pearls' of travel wisdom -
I especially appreciate the strong recommendation for DCA and metro into DC...many thanks to all

I looked at JetBlue as well.... They have a nonstop OAK-IAD, but no nonstops into IAD from the West Coast at all. Their preferred routing would take you into and out of BOS, which would make for quite long travel days.

Virgin America SFO-DCA would be my clear choice. Best of luck!

Whoops-- I meant "... no nonstops into <b>DCA</b> from the West Coast at all."

Very different.

thanks rjw - update: got shut out of the SF-DCA Virgin flights but will spend a few extra bucks to arrange a flight that meets our needs with a 10 year old and fly SF, non-stop, Dulles and put up with the cab fare, though I'd much prefer the public Metro...oh well...also, made reservations at the Kimpton Donovan House (pool!)...so far, so good

There really isn't much problem getting into town from Dulles IF you are willing to take what is for some an "expensive" cab ride. The cabs are very readily available. There is a dedicated travel lane for traffic to and from the airport. However, once you hit I-66 East it can be slow going but a lot depends on your arrival time.

Sure DCA is closer and easier to travel from but you'll survive this I am certain.

The pool at the Donovan House is a rooftop one (and the view of DC is fantastic) that is open only to guests during the day but pretty early in the evening or late afternoon it flips to a more adult focused crowd. The bar opens and food is served there. (during the week anyway -- may be different Sat and Sunday)

You've probably scoped out the website, but I thought I would mention that in case you were planning on a place for your 10 YO to splash and chill out in the evening after a day of touring. (We did with kids at that age)

For Kimptons, the Palomor (Dupont Circle neighborhood) also has a pool, outdoor in an interior courtyard which has slightly later hours and isn't such a draw for adults.