Washington (DCA) to Pensacola (PNS): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying DCA to PNS isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 4.6% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 67% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 81% of the time.
- On-time
- 67%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 28 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.6%
- Flights/day
- 2.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 35m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 816 mi
Best airline from DCA to PNS
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 81% | 10 min | 2.5% | 202 |
| Envoy Air | 68% | 23 min | 3.9% | 129 |
| PSA Airlines | 65% | 31 min | 4.9% | 1,640 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to PNS
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (80% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 70% | 24 min |
| Tuesday | 69% | 25 min |
| Wednesday | 66% | 38 min |
| Thursday | 66% | 27 min |
| Friday | 63% | 30 min |
| Saturdaybest | 74% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 63% | 30 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 operations26%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to PNS delayed?
- 33% of DCA–PNS 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 28 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to PNS?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 202 flights. 3 airlines flew DCA–PNS frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to PNS?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (80% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (56%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to PNS?
- The scheduled DCA–PNS flight time averages 2h 35m over 816 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 33% of the time.
- How often are DCA to PNS flights cancelled?
- 4.6% 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 PNS?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 47% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 85%. If your dates are flexible, that 38-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,971 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.