Madison (MSN) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Delays are only half the story on MSN–DCA: 3.1% 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, 74% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 22 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.1%
- Flights/day
- 3.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 8m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 707 mi
Best airline from MSN to DCA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Airlinesmost reliable | 75% | 22 min | 3.0% | 1,410 |
| Republic Airways | 73% | 23 min | 3.2% | 723 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSN to DCA
Aim for departures around 2 p.m. (87% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (60%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 72% | 25 min |
| Tuesday | 76% | 21 min |
| Wednesday | 69% | 22 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 29 min |
| Friday | 71% | 24 min |
| Saturdaybest | 86% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft40%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSN to DCA delayed?
- 26% of MSN–DCA flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 22 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSN to DCA?
- PSA Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 75%, based on 1,410 flights. 2 airlines flew MSN–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSN to DCA?
- Departures around 2 p.m. have the best record (87% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (60%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSN to DCA?
- The scheduled MSN–DCA flight time averages 2h 8m over 707 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are MSN to DCA flights cancelled?
- 3.1% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from MSN to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 48% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 48-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,160 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.