Albany (ALB) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying ALB to DCA isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 5.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 68% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 78% of the time.
- On-time
- 68%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 33 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.9%
- 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 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 78% | 19 min | 4.5% | 112 |
| PSA Airlines | 68% | 33 min | 6.2% | 2,386 |
| American Airlines | 57% | 48 min | 0.0% | 63 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ALB to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (50%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 63% | 36 min |
| Tuesday | 72% | 32 min |
| Wednesday | 69% | 31 min |
| Thursday | 66% | 36 min |
| Friday | 70% | 27 min |
| Saturdaybest | 74% | 24 min |
| Sunday | 65% | 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 operations25%
- National airspace system19%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ALB to DCA delayed?
- 32% of ALB–DCA flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 33 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ALB to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 112 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 (87% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (50%). 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 32% of the time.
- How often are ALB to DCA flights cancelled?
- 5.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07 — 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 2,615 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.