Looking Inside an Abandoned Air Traffic Control Tower at Washington Dulles International Airport

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, November 01, 2017 at 10:03 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Dulles' iconic tower seen from the A/B concourse (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)

Key Takeaways:

The tower at Washington Dulles International Airport is an iconic structure, designed by architect Eero Saarinen in the 1950s.
Historically, it managed a range of famous aircraft, from Concordes to SR-71 Blackbirds, and included an observation deck.
It ceased operation as an FAA facility in 2007, superseded by a new facility near the C/D concourse.
Although no longer active, the old tower still serves as a landmark, symbolizing the glory days of air travel and its 1950s-era design.

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Standing on top of the airport’s main terminal, the tower at Washington Dulles International Airport is perhaps one of the most iconic in the U.S. It’s design was spearheaded by architect Eero Saarinen who designed the main terminal in the 1950s.

The tower landed everything from Concordes to SR-71 Blackbirds in its heyday and even featured an observation deck at its base. Today, though, this landmark is a hollow shell of its former self.

It was put out of operation in 2007 after the FAA dedicated the new facility near the C/D concourse on Sept. 17.

Even though it no longer operates as an FAA facility, the old tower still serves a purpose while reminding people of air travel’s glory days along with 1950s-era design.

Photos by AirlineGeeks’ Ryan Ewing

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.