Detroit (DTW) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on DTW–DCA: 3.4% 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, 71% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 71%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.4%
- Flights/day
- 8.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 36m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 405 mi
Best airline from DTW to DCA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Airlinesmost reliable | 72% | 32 min | 5.6% | 1,928 |
| Delta Air Lines | 71% | 19 min | 2.2% | 3,602 |
| Republic Airways | 68% | 23 min | 4.5% | 359 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to DCA
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (83% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (39%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 69% | 31 min |
| Tuesday | 75% | 17 min |
| Wednesday | 71% | 22 min |
| Thursday | 68% | 27 min |
| Friday | 66% | 28 min |
| Saturdaybest | 82% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 68% | 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 aircraft28%
- Airline operations32%
- National airspace system35%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to DCA delayed?
- 29% of DTW–DCA 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 23 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to DCA?
- PSA Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 72%, based on 1,928 flights. 3 airlines flew DTW–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to DCA?
- Departures around 11 a.m. have the best record (83% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (39%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to DCA?
- The scheduled DTW–DCA flight time averages 1h 36m over 405 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 29% of the time.
- How often are DTW to DCA flights cancelled?
- 3.4% 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 DTW to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 56% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 33-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
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Based on 5,923 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.