Washington (DCA) to Madison (MSN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on DCA–MSN: 4.1% 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, 72% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 80% of the time.
- On-time
- 72%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 24 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.1%
- Flights/day
- 3.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 20m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 707 mi
Best airline from DCA to MSN
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 80% | 15 min | 3.0% | 772 |
| PSA Airlines | 67% | 29 min | 4.6% | 1,494 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to MSN
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (39%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Mondaybest | 75% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 72% | 27 min |
| Wednesday | 71% | 28 min |
| Thursday | 70% | 22 min |
| Friday | 69% | 30 min |
| Saturday | 73% | 23 min |
| Sunday | 73% | 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 aircraft53%
- Airline operations26%
- National airspace system15%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to MSN delayed?
- 28% of DCA–MSN 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 24 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to MSN?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 772 flights. 2 airlines flew DCA–MSN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to MSN?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (39%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to MSN?
- The scheduled DCA–MSN flight time averages 2h 20m over 707 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are DCA to MSN flights cancelled?
- 4.1% 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 MSN?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 45% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 47-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,293 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.