Atlanta (ATL) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying ATL to DCA isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 70% land on time, below the national average of 78%. American Airlines has been the safer pick, arriving on time 81% of the time.
- On-time
- 70%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.0%
- Flights/day
- 19
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 48m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 547 mi
Best airline from ATL to DCA
6 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 26 min | 3.6% | 165 |
| PSA Airlines | 74% | 35 min | 7.0% | 2,178 |
| Envoy Air | 74% | 17 min | 4.9% | 367 |
| Southwest Airlines | 73% | 19 min | 1.3% | 2,643 |
| Republic Airways | 73% | 17 min | 3.4% | 943 |
| Delta Air Lines | 67% | 21 min | 2.4% | 7,977 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ATL to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (51%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 68% | 25 min |
| Tuesday | 74% | 19 min |
| Wednesday | 71% | 21 min |
| Thursday | 68% | 25 min |
| Friday | 66% | 27 min |
| Saturdaybest | 78% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 67% | 25 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft31%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system34%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ATL to DCA delayed?
- 30% of ATL–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 23 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ATL to DCA?
- American Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 165 flights. 6 airlines flew ATL–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ATL to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (51%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ATL to DCA?
- The scheduled ATL–DCA flight time averages 1h 48m over 547 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 30% of the time.
- How often are ATL to DCA flights cancelled?
- 3% 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 ATL to DCA?
- July 2026 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 35-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
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Based on 14,273 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.