Washington (DCA) to Louisville (SDF): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying DCA to SDF isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 5.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 74% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 20 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.9%
- Flights/day
- 2.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 57m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 474 mi
Best airline from DCA to SDF
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 75% | 20 min | 5.1% | 959 |
| PSA Airlines | 72% | 20 min | 6.8% | 1,106 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to SDF
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (49%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 21 min |
| Tuesday | 74% | 19 min |
| Wednesday | 70% | 20 min |
| Thursday | 75% | 18 min |
| Friday | 70% | 27 min |
| Saturdaybest | 82% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 72% | 20 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 operations24%
- National airspace system15%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to SDF delayed?
- 26% of DCA–SDF 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 20 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to SDF?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 75%, based on 959 flights. 2 airlines flew DCA–SDF frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to SDF?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (49%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to SDF?
- The scheduled DCA–SDF flight time averages 1h 57m over 474 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are DCA to SDF flights cancelled?
- 5.9% 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 SDF?
- June 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 54% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 38-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,120 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.