Washington (DCA) to Philadelphia (PHL): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying DCA to PHL isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 3.6% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 71% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 78% of the time.
- On-time
- 71%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 24 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.6%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 6m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 120 mi
Best airline from DCA to PHL
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 78% | 12 min | 2.3% | 998 |
| PSA Airlines | 64% | 33 min | 4.7% | 1,207 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to PHL
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (98% on-time); avoid 2 p.m. departures (48%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 71% | 27 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 76% | 26 min |
| Wednesday | 70% | 26 min |
| Thursday | 66% | 23 min |
| Friday | 69% | 24 min |
| Saturday | 75% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 25 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft52%
- Airline operations24%
- National airspace system14%
- Weather9%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to PHL delayed?
- 29% of DCA–PHL 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 PHL?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 998 flights. 2 airlines flew DCA–PHL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to PHL?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (98% on-time), while departures around 2 p.m. have the worst (48%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to PHL?
- The scheduled DCA–PHL flight time averages 1h 6m over 120 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 29% of the time.
- How often are DCA to PHL flights cancelled?
- 3.6% 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 PHL?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 48% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 44-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,219 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.