Philadelphia (PHL) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on PHL–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, 72% 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
- 72%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 25 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.3%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 11m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 120 mi
Best airline from PHL 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% | 11 min | 3.0% | 992 |
| PSA Airlines | 63% | 36 min | 3.5% | 1,214 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHL to DCA
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (46%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 70% | 35 min |
| Tuesday | 76% | 24 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 19 min |
| Thursday | 69% | 25 min |
| Friday | 68% | 28 min |
| Saturdaybest | 77% | 22 min |
| Sunday | 67% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft37%
- Airline operations24%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather14%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PHL to DCA delayed?
- 28% of PHL–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 25 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PHL to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 992 flights. 2 airlines flew PHL–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PHL to DCA?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (46%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PHL to DCA?
- The scheduled PHL–DCA flight time averages 1h 11m over 120 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are PHL 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 PHL to DCA?
- November 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 34% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 57-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,219 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.