HMSHost Brings Northern Virginia’s Craft Spirit to Dulles International Airport with MurLarkey Flights & Bites

(NEWS) BETHESDA,MD, 2025-Nov-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Dulles International Airport is set to welcome a new locally inspired dining experience as HMSHost, part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL), secures a 10-year contract to introduce MurLarkey Distilled Spirits Flights & Bites to the airport’s upcoming Concourse E. The partnership brings one of Northern Virginia’s most celebrated craft distilleries into the region’s largest airport, offering travelers a distinctly local taste as part of Dulles International’s broader modernization and expansion.

The new 970-square-foot bar and restaurant, opening in late 2026, is part of Fraport Washington Partnership’s concessions program for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Designed to spotlight Northern Virginia’s thriving craft beverage scene, the venue will serve MurLarkey’s award-winning spirits — including its Birthright Bourbon and Imagination Botanical Gin — paired with an all-day menu developed by HMSHost chefs.

Avolta North America President and CEO Steve Johnson highlighted the project as a way to bring authentic regional character into the airport, while MWAA’s chief revenue officer Chryssa Westerlund emphasized that featuring MurLarkey reflects Dulles’ goal of enhancing the traveler experience with offerings that connect the airport to its surrounding communities.

MurLarkey CEO Tom Murray described the new venue as an opportunity to share the spirit of Virginia with an international audience, noting the brand’s pride in representing the state’s agricultural and craft traditions. The concept will also incorporate digital conveniences such as QR code ordering and integrate benefits from the Club Avolta loyalty program. HMSHost will operate the new location in partnership with local businesses Puddin’, LLC and Icon Foods, Inc., adding to the regional focus of the project.

The debut of MurLarkey Distilled Spirits Flights & Bites will coincide with the opening of Dulles International’s new Concourse E, a state-of-the-art 14-gate facility designed to elevate the airport’s capacity and traveler comfort. Spanning more than 435,000 square feet, the concourse introduces modern gate areas with abundant natural light, an expansive 46,000 square feet dedicated to dining and retail, and streamlined access via the AeroTrain system. The development is central to Dulles’ strategy to enhance passenger flow for both domestic and international routes, offering upgraded seating areas, improved amenities, and an efficient pathway for international arrivals. Built to LEED Silver–certifiable standards, Concourse E also incorporates sustainability features such as LED lighting, high-efficiency climate systems, and infrastructure supporting electric ground operations — all part of Dulles’ commitment to a more seamless and environmentally conscious travel experience.