Washington (DCA) to Minneapolis (MSP): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Washington (DCA) to Minneapolis (MSP) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in July 2026 that fell to 55% — a 37-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 78% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (85% vs 70%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.7%
- Flights/day
- 7.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 51m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 931 mi
Best airline from DCA to MSP
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 81% | 13 min | 3.2% | 370 |
| Delta Air Lines | 81% | 20 min | 1.8% | 3,568 |
| Envoy Air | 77% | 14 min | 2.4% | 166 |
| PSA Airlines | 66% | 29 min | 5.7% | 1,048 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to MSP
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (63%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 18 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 25 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 28 min |
| Friday | 76% | 24 min |
| Saturdaybest | 84% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 19 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft37%
- Airline operations41%
- National airspace system18%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to MSP delayed?
- 22% of DCA–MSP 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 MSP?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 370 flights. 4 airlines flew DCA–MSP frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to MSP?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 8 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 MSP?
- The scheduled DCA–MSP flight time averages 2h 51m over 931 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are DCA to MSP flights cancelled?
- 2.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DCA to MSP?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 55% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 37-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
- Return route: MSP to DCA on-time stats
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport departure performance
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field airport reliability
- Delta Air Lines on-time record
- PSA Airlines on-time record
- Republic Airways on-time record
- Envoy Air on-time record
More routes from DCA
Other ways to fly to Minneapolis (MSP)
Related guides
Based on 5,201 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.