How to Travel Between Terminal C's Two Concourses at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Learn about the makeup of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Ronald Regan National Airport is made up of a total of three terminals. While it's possible for some airlines to cross into other terminals, terminal A holds one circular building containing 9 gates with a connector walkway leading to even more terminal B gates. The walkway terminates there, only allowing those at gates 15-22 to go between these two terminals. Terminals B/C (gates 23-34) and Terminal C (gates 35-45) each have their own terminals without a separate walkway connecting these two terminals on the gate's ticketed side either of these to terminals B and A.

• Terminals B/C and C are taken up primarily by American Airlines. In the past, these terminals were formerly US Airways property until they departed from the airspace in 2014 (thanks to the merger into American Airlines).

Recognize where the shuttle entrances can be found. Inside Terminal C, you'll find this entrance near gate 38 - directly next to the American Tap Room. At Terminal B/C, you'll find this entrance near gate 23 (the map shows it connected to Gate 23, but that's not the case, and it has its own separate doors very close by.

• In the past, these locations have differed and brought passengers closer to the endpoint of each terminal. But this has changed, and they brought it closer to the beginning/end of each terminal.

Head in the direction of either of these areas. Each terminal has a straight path leading to the entrance/exit to the main concourse, and you shouldn't have to look too far to your sides to find the entrances to the shuttle.

Locate the shuttle departure times. Often, you can ask a gate attendant at gate 23 or 25 or at gate 38 when it comes around, but keep in mind that although it only takes a few minutes between each terminal (never passing underneath or near any other terminal), it does take several minutes to unload the passengers and load back up with more to come in the opposite direction - sometimes fueling up before moving again.

Find the shuttle area. There may be an American Airlines agent guarding the shuttle entrance door, and you'll want to ask around to ensure you have reached the shuttle's entrance.

Walk out the door and down the stairs when the agent says that the coast is clear and they are ready to shuttle you off to the other terminal. In one terminal, the stairs are inside. At the other, the stairs happen outside the door and lead to the doorway leading in.

• If you need help, ask an airline employee, and they will try to accommodate you the best they can.

Get on board the shuttle bus. American Airlines' shuttle busses tend not to have too many seats. Still, with advanced notice, they can accommodate this - asking those without disabilities to use the handlebars instead, and helping you on and off with the one short step on the bus with a special bus-only method of leveling.

Stay seated until the shuttle says they are ready for passengers to disembark. The ride is very short, and except for turning around, at no time will this bus ever back up. You should feel a short braking pull when they are about ready to stop.

Get off the bus, taking your stuff with you. It's easy to forget the simple things when a ride like this is so short.

Walk up the stairs and through the door (or through the door and up the stairs). If you need help with the stairs, ask the shuttle attendant standing near the door or at the base for help, and they will help find a suitable elevator for your use.