Washington (DCA) to Los Angeles (LAX): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Washington (DCA) to Los Angeles (LAX) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 56% — a 36-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 20 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 4.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 47m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,311 mi
Best airline from DCA to LAX
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlinesmost reliable | 78% | 15 min | 1.1% | 1,520 |
| Alaska Airlines | 75% | 17 min | 1.6% | 758 |
| Delta Air Lines | 74% | 31 min | 2.0% | 756 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to LAX
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (80% on-time); avoid 9 a.m. departures (74%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 14 min |
| Tuesday | 78% | 19 min |
| Wednesday | 72% | 22 min |
| Thursday | 75% | 21 min |
| Friday | 76% | 20 min |
| Saturdaybest | 80% | 21 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft30%
- Airline operations36%
- National airspace system29%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to LAX delayed?
- 24% of DCA–LAX 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 20 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to LAX?
- American Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 1,520 flights. 3 airlines flew DCA–LAX frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to LAX?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (80% on-time), while departures around 9 a.m. have the worst (74%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to LAX?
- The scheduled DCA–LAX flight time averages 5h 47m over 2,311 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are DCA to LAX flights cancelled?
- 1.4% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DCA to LAX?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 56% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,034 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.