Air Travel

“Sounded like two jets flew extremely low above houses last night around 11:45.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by John Sonderman

Readers reported: “Sounded like two jets flew extremely low above houses last night around 11:45. Heard in Woodridge, NE, and apparently out into Hyattsville. It was almost unbearably loud, and I’m not particularly noise sensitive.”

“So I woke up to an extremely loud noise – and my neighborhood listserv starts popping off a few minutes later. Apparently we had two fighter jets just fly over #Hyattsville?”

“It was crazy loud in Riverdale.”

“Anyone else in DC area hear an incredibly loud/close aircraft fly by (sounded almost like a missile) just now? What was that?? (NE in Hyattsville).”

“video of the three fighter jets flying over the mall this morning at about 9:00am.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Courtney and others wrote earlier “What is going on with this loud jet that is flying over Glover Park? I hear it but I don’t see it…”

Thanks to Evan for sending the video (you can’t seem them really well but you can definitely hear them):

And in impeccable timing from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Office:

“Norton, Quiet Skies Caucus Receive FAA Response to Aircraft Noise Letter (more…)

Phari’s Photos – Gravelly Point

By Prince Of Petworth

Photos and words by @Pharipedia. Phari is one of my favorite photographers who contributes to our Instagram. He’s volunteered to share a bit more with us from his adventures around town. Phari lives on Capitol Hill.

“Arguably, the best spot to watch planes land and takeoff in the United States is right across the Potomac river, north of the National Airport, and right off the Mount Vernon Trail. Referred to as Gravelly Point, the area was where Captain John Alexander (City of Alexandria’s namesake) had built his home called Abingdon in 1746, and where later George Washington’s beloved granddaughter, Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis was born. Pack a picnic, lean back, and watch the planes pass just a hundred feet above.”

“no flights on the boards out of the dreaded 35X gate” Monday Morning, New Concourse Could Open April

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Shellie for sending Monday morning: “At DCA this morning at 8:15 AM – no flights on the boards out of the dreaded 35X gate”

When we last spoke about 35x in November we learned:

“American Airlines continues to operate several flights a day using Gate 35X. Once the new concourse, which is currently under construction, opens next year, then flights will stop operating from Gate 35X.”

Washingtonian reported, via Airline Weekly:

“The Fort Worth, Texas-based Oneworld alliance carrier could begin flights from a new 14-gate concourse as early as April 20, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) President and CEO Jack Potter said at a board meeting Wednesday. The April opening — three months earlier than planned — is possible following an acceleration of construction work due to the decrease in air traffic during the pandemic.”

Here’s the latest official word from DCA on

“A new 14-gate concourse will replace busing operations from Gate 35X, increasing passenger comfort and convenience

Project Update (more…)

“There has been a strange plane flying circles over NW DC/Bethesda down to 395 & back”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Hoping someone might have some ideas….

There has been a strange plane flying circles over NW DC/Bethesda down to 395 & back for the last 20 minutes or so, I’ve been watching it on Flight Rader & it’s stayed between 5,000-5,300 ft.

It’s passed within hearing distance of me about 6 times.

In any event, since it’s in restricted airspace & I don’t see/hear any fighter jets chasing it, I have to assume it’s Gov’t, but who & for what reason.”

RIP Gate 35X (soon), Long Live The New Concourse in 2021

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by airbus777

“Dear PoPville,

Any reports of what it’s like to fly American Eagle from #DCA right now, is it still #35X and a crowded bus?”

WMATAstuff replied: “Nope 35X is gone once and for all. They’ve been moved into the main terminal while they finish the new gate 35X terminal.”

UPDATE: Official word from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority:

“American Airlines continues to operate several flights a day using Gate 35X. Once the new concourse, which is currently under construction, opens next year, then flights will stop operating from Gate 35X.”

From DCA:

“With the demolition and removal of office buildings and aircraft hangars that once occupied the north end of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the palette is clearing for the construction of a New Commuter Concourse that will replace passenger movement through the infamously congested Gate 35X. Presently, six thousand passengers a day journey through 35X, boarding buses that drive them to remotely parked aircraft. When the new concourse opens in 2021, 14 gates with jetbridges will replace the busing system, and the less-than-pleasing traits of Gate 35X will be retired.” (more…)

In Case You Hear a Fly Over Around Midnight

By Prince Of Petworth

From Alert DC:

“Department of Defense will be conducting authorized fly over in the National Capitol Region for a Falcon Virgo Exercise (weather permitting). The exercise is scheduled for Wednesday (11/18/09) between 12:00 Mid Night to 2:00 AM.”