Memphis (MEM) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying MEM to DCA isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 4% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 77% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 82% of the time.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.0%
- Flights/day
- 3.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 14m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 762 mi
Best airline from MEM to DCA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 82% | 12 min | 2.7% | 1,137 |
| PSA Airlines | 72% | 27 min | 5.3% | 1,179 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MEM to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 1 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Mondaybest | 81% | 15 min |
| Tuesday | 81% | 20 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 22 min |
| Friday | 74% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 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 aircraft42%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather8%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MEM to DCA delayed?
- 23% of MEM–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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MEM to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 1,137 flights. 2 airlines flew MEM–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MEM to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 1 p.m. have the worst (62%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MEM to DCA?
- The scheduled MEM–DCA flight time averages 2h 14m over 762 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are MEM to DCA flights cancelled?
- 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 MEM to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 96%. If your dates are flexible, that 33-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,356 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.