Washington (DCA) to Norfolk (ORF): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Delays are only half the story on DCA–ORF: 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, 69% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 83% of the time.
- On-time
- 69%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 24 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.3%
- Flights/day
- 2.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 5m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 142 mi
Best airline from DCA to ORF
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 83% | 15 min | 3.2% | 93 |
| PSA Airlines | 69% | 24 min | 4.4% | 2,233 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to ORF
Aim for departures around 3 p.m. (89% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (57%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 69% | 25 min |
| Tuesday | 69% | 27 min |
| Wednesday | 70% | 21 min |
| Thursday | 67% | 24 min |
| Friday | 63% | 30 min |
| Saturdaybest | 79% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 22 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft56%
- Airline operations26%
- National airspace system10%
- Weather8%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to ORF delayed?
- 31% of DCA–ORF flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 24 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to ORF?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 93 flights. 2 airlines flew DCA–ORF frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to ORF?
- Departures around 3 p.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 9 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 ORF?
- The scheduled DCA–ORF flight time averages 1h 5m over 142 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 31% of the time.
- How often are DCA to ORF flights cancelled?
- 4.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from DCA to ORF?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 46% of arrivals on time. The best was June 2024 at 85%. If your dates are flexible, that 39-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,334 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.