Washington (DCA) to New Orleans (MSY): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on DCA–MSY: 3.1% 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, 74% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 82% of the time.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.1%
- Flights/day
- 5.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 53m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 969 mi
Best airline from DCA to MSY
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 82% | 9 min | 1.0% | 499 |
| Envoy Air | 79% | 12 min | 3.6% | 83 |
| American Airlines | 75% | 19 min | 2.5% | 789 |
| Southwest Airlines | 73% | 18 min | 2.0% | 1,481 |
| PSA Airlines | 70% | 22 min | 5.9% | 1,136 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to MSY
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 78% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 74% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 67% | 20 min |
| Friday | 70% | 23 min |
| Saturdaybest | 82% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 73% | 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 aircraft53%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to MSY delayed?
- 26% of DCA–MSY 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 MSY?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 499 flights. 5 airlines flew DCA–MSY frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to MSY?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (62%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to MSY?
- The scheduled DCA–MSY flight time averages 2h 53m over 969 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are DCA to MSY flights cancelled?
- 3.1% 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 MSY?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 61% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 30-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,988 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.