Manchester (MHT) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying MHT to DCA isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 5.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 72% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 72%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 29 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.7%
- Flights/day
- 3.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 53m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 406 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MHT to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 1 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 71% | 30 min |
| Tuesday | 72% | 33 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 21 min |
| Thursday | 70% | 29 min |
| Friday | 70% | 40 min |
| Saturdaybest | 76% | 23 min |
| Sunday | 73% | 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 aircraft35%
- Airline operations34%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MHT to DCA delayed?
- 28% of MHT–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 29 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MHT to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (87% 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 MHT to DCA?
- The scheduled MHT–DCA flight time averages 1h 53m over 406 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are MHT to DCA flights cancelled?
- 5.7% 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 MHT to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 49% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 43-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,555 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.