Washington Dulles Airport

Arrived from Heathrow to catch a connecting flight to Denver at Dulles. Immigration/customs line was horrifically long and slow moving and the immigration officers seemed in no rush to get people checked quickly. The TSA guards were very stern and impatient. Airport connections area had low ceiling and was very cramped and hot. Took about 1 hour 15 minutes to clear customs immigration and security. Once you are security side things improve with a wide variety of shops cafes and souvenir stores. There was a computer/internet booth available but it would only accept credit cards. There is also an ATM which distributes Euros Swiss Francs British pounds and Mexican dollars. Cannot comment on ground transportation into city as I was only connecting.

It's astounding what a horrible experience coming into the United States through IAD is. If you fly Fist or Business you still end up in a cramped bus where they try to get absolutely everyone off the plane into the single bus. And since you deplane first you get on the bus first and either fight tooth and nail to stay near the bus doors or get crushed to the back. Once in immigration there are no fast-track lanes but there are very nice assistants who do not seem to do much. The last hour of every flight home is full of dread thinking about the ordeal.

Old and very shabby . We were there on 9th/13th January 2011 - still had all the Christmas decorations and trees up! Carpets very old and shabby looking. Toilets clean and only plus point was availability of smoking lounges although these were very few and far between. Immigration on arrival was embarrassing.

In transit en route Copenhagen-Orlando. The queues from the gate to immigration were not queues but masses of people pushing forward in an disorderly fashion. We could not use the escalator as it would just start pushing the crowd standing in front of the escalator. After spending 45 minutes moving 1 inch at a time we arrived in a hall where the lines started. One more hour in this department very unpleasant as some people - especially the ones risking to miss the connecting flight - were very aggressive. Immigration and security staff were pleasant enough but I will not use this airport again if I can help it. Seems more like a third world airport than a US.

I'm surprised that it considers itself an international airport with the cramped space and inefficient methods for getting people to their gates. The United Airlines line for international flights was unreasonably long and United employees didn't seem to know which passengers should be given priority based on their flight times. People in line were literally begging them to let them go through. Getting through security was no better. The lines weren't that long but security folks were moving incredibly slow. There were also little inefficient things I noticed that caused the process to take a lot longer than it should have (ie. the crates to put your stuff in weren't directly next to the table). Despite arriving 2 hours before my scheduled flight I still almost missed my plane. If there's a next time I'd arrive 3 hours ahead of time.

My least favorite of the three DC area airports. Fly from Reagan National instead even if it means forgoing a nonstop flight. Amazingly despite the hundreds of millions of dollars spent on improvements at Dulles in recent years it now takes longer to get through the airport than before and the amenities are just as bad. Although the much ballyhooed "AirTrain" recently opened which should have sped travel times from the main terminal to the satellite terminals amazingly it takes even longer than the mobile lounges (aka Star Wars mobiles) of old. Fortunately the Star Wars Mobiles are still plugging along. Use them instead and save yourself 15 minutes.The security lines are the worst I've ever routinely encountered at any major airport. Allow at least 45 minutes to get through. There seem to be enough security lanes but rarely are enough of them open. Amenities (restaurants shops etc.) I can't speak for the entire airport but they are wholly lacking in the United Airlines concourse (and since United moves well over half the traffic at Dulles you'll probably be flying United). You'll find long lines and limited choices. Terminal design I'm speaking for United's facilities but you may have to walk (yes walk--there are no moving sidewalks) over 1/4 mile between your gate and the AirTrain or mobile lounge station. Allow at least 10 minutes for this. Dulles is to be avoided if you value your time. If you are parking in the economy lot plan to arrive there 2 1/2 hours before flight time in order to ensure you can reach your departure gate with time to spare. On the way home don't expect to make the trip from your arrival gate to arrival/pick-up in anything less than 45 minutes (assuming you haven't checked luggage).

Quite the worst airport to arrive at that I've ever been to. It took 2 hours to clear Passport Control. No explanation for the delay much less any apology.

Transfering to Europe through Dulles on United Airlines is not a pleasant experience. United had about a dozen Europe-bound flights leaving within minutes of each other from adjoining gates. The place was absolute pandemonium no where to sit stand or walk. Food and shopping options are severely limited and impossible to get to with all the crowds. Perhaps other areas of the airport at different times are more pleasant. This place badly needs a new or expanded terminal.

Travelled with group of 33 school students as a leader. Security very aggressive with absolutely no explanation of why I was separated and aggressively searched. Possessions returned to hand luggage by officer damaged since items were caught up in a zip which he forced closed. I was referred to as 'she' and' put her in the cage.' I have travelled extensively and have no criminal record whatsoever!

Queuing at the immigration was very uncomfortable. I had to go through "B" section since I was traveling with my AP and service there was unbearably poor and unreasonable with arrogant attitude. Security process was redundant for the transfer. Even though I had been in the "secured" area from other flight I still had to go through another security and some of the product purchased in the air plane and duty free from other airport were denied so I had to check another bag forcefully. That bag was not showing up on the system when we checked at the airline gate and finally got lost. I will avoid this airport for the transfer from any international travels.