New York (JFK) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on JFK–DCA: 5.1% 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%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 73% of the time.
- On-time
- 71%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.1%
- Flights/day
- 6.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 33m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 213 mi
Best airline from JFK to DCA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 73% | 19 min | 5.0% | 4,686 |
| JetBlue Airways | 51% | 42 min | 6.3% | 569 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from JFK to DCA
Aim for departures around 12 p.m. (97% on-time); avoid 1 p.m. departures (51%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 73% | 17 min |
| Wednesday | 70% | 19 min |
| Thursday | 65% | 26 min |
| Friday | 68% | 29 min |
| Saturdaybest | 78% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft34%
- Airline operations21%
- National airspace system42%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from JFK to DCA delayed?
- 29% of JFK–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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from JFK to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 73%, based on 4,686 flights. 2 airlines flew JFK–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from JFK to DCA?
- Departures around 12 p.m. have the best record (97% on-time), while departures around 1 p.m. have the worst (51%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from JFK to DCA?
- The scheduled JFK–DCA flight time averages 1h 33m over 213 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 29% of the time.
- How often are JFK to DCA flights cancelled?
- 5.1% 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 JFK to DCA?
- February 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 53% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 42-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,255 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.