Buffalo (BUF) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on BUF–DCA: 5.5% of its scheduled flights were outright cancelled, well above the US norm, so a backup plan matters more here than on most routes. 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
- 34 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.5%
- Flights/day
- 3.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 25m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 296 mi
Best airline from BUF 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% | 18 min | 1.8% | 338 |
| Envoy Air | 69% | 22 min | 5.4% | 294 |
| PSA Airlines | 66% | 39 min | 6.2% | 1,898 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from BUF to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (85% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (46%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 66% | 41 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 72% | 30 min |
| Wednesday | 66% | 26 min |
| Thursday | 69% | 35 min |
| Friday | 65% | 34 min |
| Saturday | 71% | 41 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 33 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft49%
- Airline operations25%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from BUF to DCA delayed?
- 32% of BUF–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 34 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from BUF to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 338 flights. 3 airlines flew BUF–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from BUF to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (85% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (46%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from BUF to DCA?
- The scheduled BUF–DCA flight time averages 1h 25m over 296 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 32% of the time.
- How often are BUF to DCA flights cancelled?
- 5.5% 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 BUF to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 41% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 49-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,550 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.