Albany (ALB) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
The biggest risk when flying ALB to DCA isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 5.6% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 69% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 77% of the time.
- On-time
- 69%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 32 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.6%
- Flights/day
- 3.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 38m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 318 mi
Best airline from ALB to DCA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 77% | 20 min | 4.2% | 120 |
| PSA Airlines | 69% | 32 min | 5.8% | 2,308 |
| Envoy Air | 56% | 22 min | 3.2% | 63 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ALB to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 1 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 64% | 32 min |
| Tuesday | 72% | 35 min |
| Wednesday | 70% | 31 min |
| Thursday | 67% | 32 min |
| Friday | 70% | 26 min |
| Saturdaybest | 75% | 23 min |
| Sunday | 66% | 40 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft50%
- Airline operations26%
- National airspace system18%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ALB to DCA delayed?
- 31% of ALB–DCA flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 32 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ALB to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 120 flights. 3 airlines flew ALB–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ALB to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 1 p.m. have the worst (55%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ALB to DCA?
- The scheduled ALB–DCA flight time averages 1h 38m over 318 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 31% of the time.
- How often are ALB to DCA flights cancelled?
- 5.6% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from ALB to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 52% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,501 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.