Washington (DCA) to Milwaukee (MKE): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on DCA–MKE: 4.3% 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, 77% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Southwest Airlines has been the safer pick, arriving on time 83% of the time.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.3%
- Flights/day
- 3.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 10m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 634 mi
Best airline from DCA to MKE
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 83% | 11 min | 1.7% | 1,420 |
| PSA Airlines | 70% | 25 min | 7.1% | 1,361 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to MKE
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (100% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (57%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 20 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 79% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 18 min |
| Friday | 75% | 19 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft51%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to MKE delayed?
- 23% of DCA–MKE 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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to MKE?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 1,420 flights. 2 airlines flew DCA–MKE frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to MKE?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (100% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (57%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to MKE?
- The scheduled DCA–MKE flight time averages 2h 10m over 634 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are DCA to MKE flights cancelled?
- 4.3% 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 MKE?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 51% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 38-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,806 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.