Pittsburgh (PIT) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on PIT–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%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 82% of the time.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 20 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.1%
- Flights/day
- 3.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 14m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 204 mi
Best airline from PIT to DCA
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 82% | 10 min | 1.8% | 1,581 |
| PSA Airlines | 68% | 30 min | 5.9% | 886 |
| American Airlines | 67% | 33 min | 2.1% | 374 |
| Envoy Air | 63% | 22 min | 2.8% | 288 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PIT to DCA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (96% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (29%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 77% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 72% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 68% | 24 min |
| Friday | 70% | 22 min |
| Saturdaybest | 81% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 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 aircraft43%
- Airline operations19%
- National airspace system37%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PIT to DCA delayed?
- 26% of PIT–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 20 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PIT to DCA?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 1,581 flights. 4 airlines flew PIT–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PIT to DCA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (96% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (29%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PIT to DCA?
- The scheduled PIT–DCA flight time averages 1h 14m over 204 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are PIT to DCA flights cancelled?
- 3.1% 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 PIT to DCA?
- February 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 52% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 37-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,129 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.