Flights to Virginia

Why You Should Take a Flight to Virginia

Known as ‘Old Dominion’ and the ‘Mother of Presidents’, the Commonwealth of Virginia is the cradle of modern America.

The state stretches from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean where the first English colonial settlements were built to the Appalachian Mountains, beyond which lies the Old West.

The state is blessed with wineries, fine restaurants, bustling towns and diverse attractions including Thomas Jefferson’s plantation, Colonial Williamsburg, Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. And don’t overlook the natural wonders of Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah National Park.

When to Book Flights to Virginia

The busiest times of the year in Virginia are summer and fall. Crowds flock to the state during the summer, but it can get hot and humid in July and August. It is cooler in the mountains, where temperatures are around 18°F cooler than in the coastal areas. During fall the mountain scenery is at its most beautiful. If you want to travel at these times it pays to plan in advance.

The winter holidays are also popular times to visit and the cheapest flights to Virginia can generally be found during the spring.

But be aware that the state’s hotspots, like Colonial Williamsburg, are busy all year round.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Virginia

There are plenty of options to choose from when booking flights to Virginia as there are nine airports in the state that are served by a host of cities around the country. And when you book with Orbitz there are plenty of ways to ensure you get the best deal.

Flexibility with dates and airports can help track down the best fares to Virginia. You can use our ‘Nearby airports’ option to compare prices for different departure and arrival points and the ‘Show flexible dates’ option lets you see if there are better deals if you tweak your itinerary.

You can also sort your results to look at direct or connecting flights, and list flights by price and duration. You can filter results by airline or airport, search for different types of fare or look for flights at certain times of the day.

Main Airports in Virginia

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Once known as Washington National Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was renamed in honor of the former president in 1998. It lies just five miles south of downtown

Washington and some 24 million passengers pass through its doors each year. It is connected to the Washington Metro system.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Washington Dulles International Airport is located 26 miles west of Washington DC. It handles 23 million passengers a year and is a hub for United Airlines. Buses are available into the city.

Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Seven miles south of the state capital is Richmond International Airport. It is mainly served by domestic flights from cities in the South, Northeast and Midwest. It deals with around 4 million passengers a year.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

Norfolk International Airport serves the Hampton Roads area and southeast Virginia. It lies seven miles northeast of downtown and is served by nine domestic airlines.

Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA)

The southwest of Virginia is best accessed from Roanoke Regional Airport. Airlines that fly there include Delta Air Lines, United and American Airlines.

Which Airlines Fly to Virginia?

Among the airlines flying to destinations around Virginia are:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

How to Get to and Around Virginia

With so many airports in Virginia it is easy to fly from one area to another. Trains run north and south through Charlottesville and Fredericksburg and there are services around Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

However, the best way to see Virginia, and the mountains in particular, is by car. Vehicles can be hired at all the major airports and cities. Two of the main routes through the mountains, the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are attractions in their own right.

Places to Visit in Virginia

A trip to colonial Williamsburg is a journey back in time to the 18th century. Billed as the world’s largest living museum, visitors mix with locals in period costume and are immersed in the colonial life of a town that played a key role in the development of the nation.  It is also home to art galleries and museums.

The majestic Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains is just 75 miles from Washington. The Skyline Drive runs for 105 miles through the park and boasts amazing views.

Virginia is known as the ‘Mother of Presidents’. Eight were born in the state, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Close to Charlottesville lies Jefferson’s estate and you will recognize the main house from the back of a 5C coin. The plantation has now been recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

At Arlington National Cemetery, established during the Civil War, you will find the tomb of the unknown soldier and the last resting places of two presidents – William Howard Taft and John F Kennedy. 

Tips and Tricks for Traveling in Virginia

Virginia has played a major role in every chapter of America’s development and the state is littered with historic sites, so give yourself time to explore when traveling around the state.