Washington (DCA) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Washington (DCA) to Detroit (DTW) has an unusually high scrub rate — 3.7% of scheduled departures never left the gate, a cancellation rate several times the national figure. When flights do go, 76% 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
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.7%
- Flights/day
- 8.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 42m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 405 mi
Best airline from DCA to DTW
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 79% | 14 min | 3.6% | 361 |
| Delta Air Lines | 79% | 19 min | 2.4% | 3,602 |
| PSA Airlines | 70% | 25 min | 6.1% | 1,927 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to DTW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (59%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 20 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 18 min |
| Wednesday | 77% | 19 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 24 min |
| Friday | 72% | 25 min |
| Saturdaybest | 83% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft53%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system14%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to DTW delayed?
- 24% of DCA–DTW 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to DTW?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 79%, based on 361 flights. 3 airlines flew DCA–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to DTW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (59%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to DTW?
- The scheduled DCA–DTW flight time averages 1h 42m over 405 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are DCA to DTW flights cancelled?
- 3.7% 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 DCA to DTW?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 61% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,924 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.