CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) has opened a new 20,000 sq ft flight attendant training center near Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The facility will train crews servicing Dulles (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI).
The $16 million center, operational since May 15, will train up to 650 flight attendants monthly. It focuses on safety drills, service protocols, and aircraft-specific simulations, reducing the need for trainees to travel to Chicago or Houston for recurrent training.
Photo: United AirlinesUnited New Training Center
United Airlines invested $16 million in the Chantilly training center, located minutes from its hub at Washington Dulles (IAD), flagged Northern Virginia.
The project broke ground in late 2024 and was completed within months to meet growing regional demand.
The facility supports United’s flight attendants in fulfilling the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) requirement for recurrent hands-on training every 18 months.
Key Features:
- Full-scale simulators for all six United aircraft models, including Boeing 757 and Airbus A319.
- Hands-on equipment rooms with emergency ramps, life vests, and fire extinguishers for practical drills.
- Four classrooms hosting 32 students each, with daily sessions lasting 9.5 hours.
The center features full-scale simulators for all six aircraft types flown by United Airlines, enabling realistic, scenario-based instruction.
Flight attendants practice CPR, emergency evacuations, fire response, and use of life-saving equipment such as oxygen masks, life vests, and fire extinguishers.
Dedicated rooms are equipped with emergency ramps and safety kits that replicate real-world airline conditions.
Four classrooms support up to 32 trainees each, with day-long sessions lasting up to nine and a half hours.
Although initial qualifications, especially those requiring aquatic drills, still require travel to United’s main facility in Houston (IAH), the new Chantilly site brings recurrent training closer to attendees based in the Washington metro area.
Photo: United AirlinesStrategic Infrastructure
United Airlines (UA) currently operates approximately 280 daily departures from Washington Dulles (IAD), serving over 100 destinations worldwide.
According to company representatives, United leads the region in flight volume and is continuing to grow.
By 2026, United plans to open a new 435,000 sq ft concourse at Dulles, further increasing its capacity and fleet presence.
With more aircraft and destinations, demand for trained flight attendants will rise. This facility helps accommodate that growth while reinforcing safety and service excellence.
United’s leadership emphasizes that the new center is a long-term investment in its people and operations.
Regional Training Manager Patrisha Caraballo highlighted the need for crew members to be flexible across aircraft types, noting that a flight attendant may work a Boeing 757 one day and switch to an Airbus A319 the next.
Photo: United AirlinesSupporting Local Crew
Before this facility, many United flight attendants based at IAD, DCA, or BWI had to travel to Chicago for their recurrent training.
The Chantilly center significantly reduces travel time and associated costs while providing a modern, purpose-built space for high-impact, practical instruction.
The training center’s location near major interstates and airports also makes it a strategic asset for regional efficiency.
As United continues to recruit and grow its D.C. area flight attendant base, this center is expected to serve an expanding group of professionals over the coming years.
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