Buffalo (BUF) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Delays are only half the story on BUF–DCA: 4.8% 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, 69% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 79% of the time.
- On-time
- 69%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 32 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.8%
- Flights/day
- 3.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 25m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 296 mi
Best airline from BUF to DCA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 79% | 18 min | 1.7% | 343 |
| PSA Airlines | 67% | 36 min | 5.3% | 1,840 |
| Envoy Air | 66% | 24 min | 5.9% | 269 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from BUF to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (85% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 67% | 35 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 73% | 31 min |
| Wednesday | 65% | 26 min |
| Thursday | 69% | 35 min |
| Friday | 66% | 32 min |
| Saturday | 72% | 38 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 30 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 operations26%
- National airspace system20%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from BUF to DCA delayed?
- 31% of BUF–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 BUF to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 79%, based on 343 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 5 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 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 31% of the time.
- How often are BUF to DCA flights cancelled?
- 4.8% 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 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 2,476 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.