Washington (DCA) to Louisville (SDF): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
The biggest risk when flying DCA to SDF isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 5.4% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 75% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 20 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.4%
- 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 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 77% | 20 min | 4.6% | 913 |
| PSA Airlines | 72% | 21 min | 6.2% | 1,059 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to SDF
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (50%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 20 min |
| Tuesday | 74% | 18 min |
| Wednesday | 70% | 24 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 16 min |
| Friday | 71% | 27 min |
| Saturdaybest | 82% | 13 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 operations25%
- National airspace system14%
- Weather8%
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 2024-06 and 2026-05. 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 77%, based on 913 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 (95% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (50%). 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?
- 5.4% 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 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 2,027 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.