Cleveland (CLE) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying CLE to DCA isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 6.8% 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%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 81% of the time.
- On-time
- 70%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 31 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 6.8%
- Flights/day
- 4.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 27m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 310 mi
Best airline from CLE to DCA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 81% | 10 min | 1.5% | 271 |
| PSA Airlines | 69% | 34 min | 7.6% | 2,854 |
| Envoy Air | 54% | 29 min | 1.9% | 154 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from CLE to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (41%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 71% | 33 min |
| Tuesday | 71% | 26 min |
| Wednesday | 71% | 27 min |
| Thursday | 69% | 29 min |
| Friday | 66% | 38 min |
| Saturdaybest | 80% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 64% | 47 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft46%
- Airline operations28%
- National airspace system24%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from CLE to DCA delayed?
- 31% of CLE–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 31 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from CLE to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 271 flights. 3 airlines flew CLE–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from CLE to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (41%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from CLE to DCA?
- The scheduled CLE–DCA flight time averages 1h 27m over 310 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 31% of the time.
- How often are CLE to DCA flights cancelled?
- 6.8% 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 CLE to DCA?
- March 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 36-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from CLE
Other ways to fly to Washington (DCA)
Related guides
Based on 3,289 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.