Norfolk (ORF) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying ORF 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, 71% land on time, below the national average of 78%. PSA Airlines has been the safer pick, arriving on time 71% of the time.
- On-time
- 71%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 31 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.0%
- Flights/day
- 2.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 9m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 142 mi
Best airline from ORF to DCA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Airlinesmost reliable | 71% | 31 min | 3.9% | 2,324 |
| Republic Airways | 56% | 38 min | 9.0% | 78 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORF to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (25%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 70% | 40 min |
| Tuesday | 69% | 37 min |
| Wednesday | 70% | 25 min |
| Thursday | 72% | 33 min |
| Friday | 65% | 32 min |
| Saturdaybest | 79% | 22 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 28 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft39%
- Airline operations25%
- National airspace system24%
- Weather13%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORF to DCA delayed?
- 30% of ORF–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 31 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ORF to DCA?
- PSA Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 71%, based on 2,324 flights. 2 airlines flew ORF–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORF to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (25%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ORF to DCA?
- The scheduled ORF–DCA flight time averages 1h 9m over 142 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 30% of the time.
- How often are ORF 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 ORF to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 49% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 42-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,407 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.