Washington (DCA) to Memphis (MEM): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on DCA–MEM: 4.2% 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, 74% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.2%
- Flights/day
- 3.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 32m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 762 mi
Best airline from DCA to MEM
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 77% | 16 min | 2.8% | 1,136 |
| PSA Airlines | 70% | 22 min | 5.5% | 1,179 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to MEM
Aim for departures around 9 p.m. (81% on-time); avoid 3 p.m. departures (63%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 79% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 71% | 20 min |
| Thursday | 71% | 19 min |
| Friday | 68% | 24 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 18 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft54%
- Airline operations21%
- National airspace system15%
- Weather10%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to MEM delayed?
- 26% of DCA–MEM 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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to MEM?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 1,136 flights. 2 airlines flew DCA–MEM frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to MEM?
- Departures around 9 p.m. have the best record (81% on-time), while departures around 3 p.m. have the worst (63%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to MEM?
- The scheduled DCA–MEM flight time averages 2h 32m over 762 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are DCA to MEM flights cancelled?
- 4.2% 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 MEM?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 55% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 96%. If your dates are flexible, that 41-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,357 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.