Milwaukee (MKE) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on MKE–DCA: 3.3% 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, 77% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.3%
- Flights/day
- 3.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 58m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 634 mi
Best airline from MKE to DCA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 79% | 14 min | 1.2% | 1,418 |
| PSA Airlines | 76% | 32 min | 5.5% | 1,361 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MKE to DCA
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (44%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 23 min |
| Tuesday | 78% | 21 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 27 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 24 min |
| Friday | 76% | 25 min |
| Saturdaybest | 83% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 78% | 18 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft31%
- Airline operations46%
- National airspace system21%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MKE to DCA delayed?
- 23% of MKE–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 MKE to DCA?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 79%, based on 1,418 flights. 2 airlines flew MKE–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MKE to DCA?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (44%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MKE to DCA?
- The scheduled MKE–DCA flight time averages 1h 58m over 634 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are MKE to DCA flights cancelled?
- 3.3% 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 MKE to DCA?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 62% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 31-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,804 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.