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Route on-time record

DCA to CAE: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to Columbia (Columbia Metropolitan Airport). 1,092 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 68% arrived within 15 minutes and 6.7% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was PSA 5136 at 8:20 AM.

Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.

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DCA → CAE

Washington to Columbia: 1,092 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

68%

Cancelled

6.7%

avg delay 23 min

Best time to leave

9 AM to noon

87% on time vs 53% 3 to 6 PM

Most reliable airline

PSA

61% chance on time

Check DCA to CAE fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $145 (American 5095 on 2026-10-24). Fares open on our travel partner (Aviasales). Pick the flight number you chose here.

Most reliable nonstop flights

Ranked by the chance the flight operates and arrives within 15 minutes of schedule, from Jun 2025 to May 2026 records.

  1. #1 · PSA 5136 · sold as American Eagle

    8:20 AM → 10:06 AM1h 46m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.

    79%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    91%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    5 min
    • Arrived on time 91% of the time (44 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 44 scheduled flights.
    • Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Limited track record · 44 flights

    Find 8:20 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · PSA 5107 · sold as American Eagle

    7:46 AM → 9:28 AM1h 42m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    71%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    100%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    0 min
    • Arrived on time 100% of the time (11 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Limited track record · 11 flights

    Find 7:46 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · PSA 5664 · sold as American Eagle

    7:59 PM → 9:45 PM1h 46m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-19.

    56%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    59%
    Cancelled
    8.5%
    Avg arrival delay
    34 min
    • Arrived on time 59% of the time (184 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Cancelled 8.5% of the time (17 of 201).
    • Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • 61% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.

    Moderate track record · 184 flights

    Find 7:59 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · PSA 5095 · sold as American Eagle

    5:06 PM → 6:48 PM1h 42m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-16.

    55%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    60%
    Cancelled
    7.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    31 min
    • Arrived on time 60% of the time (277 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Cancelled 7.0% of the time (21 of 298).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 53% on time; 9 AM to noon: 87%).
    • Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 277 flights

    Find 5:06 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · PSA 5108 · sold as American Eagle

    4:40 PM → 6:23 PM1h 43m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    50%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    36%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    49 min
    • Arrived on time 36% of the time (11 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 53% on time; 9 AM to noon: 87%).
    • Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
    • 62% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.

    Limited track record · 11 flights

    Find 4:40 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  6. #6 · PSA 5139 · sold as American Eagle

    5:24 PM → 7:05 PM1h 41m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.

    49%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    47%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    23 min
    • Arrived on time 47% of the time (38 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 38 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 53% on time; 9 AM to noon: 87%).
    • Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Limited track record · 38 flights

    Find 5:24 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • PSA Airlines (sold as American Eagle)61%

    945 flights · 65% on time as flown · 6.9% cancel

On time by departure time

All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.

  • Before 9 AM83%

    289 flights · avg delay 10 min

  • 9 AM to noon87%

    108 flights · avg delay 10 min

  • Noon to 3 PM78%

    52 flights · avg delay 11 min

  • 3 to 6 PM53%

    329 flights · avg delay 34 min

  • 6 to 9 PM61%

    92 flights · avg delay 30 min

  • After 9 PM59%

    222 flights · avg delay 32 min

Best day: Saturday (80%). Worst: Sunday (69%).

On time by month

All airlines, Jun 2023 to May 2026. Several years per month, so one stormy season doesn't define a month. Travel-month estimates use this seasonal pattern.

J
68
F
64
M
72
A
73
M
62
J
73
J
65
A
74
S
80
O
82
N
80
D
68

What delays this route

  • Late-arriving aircraft55%
  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)26%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume11%
  • Severe weather7%

Share of delay minutes by the cause airlines report to the US DOT.

Historical odds, not a guarantee. Built from the US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics on-time reports (Jun 2025 to May 2026), FAA ground stop and delay program advisories, and 20 years of airport weather observations. Covers US airlines that report to the DOT; schedules are flights operated recently, so confirm times when you book. ATIS Alerts is not affiliated with any airline. Fares are what Aviasales travelers saw in recent searches (USD, one way, 1 adult), not live quotes; the partner site shows the current price. Fare links go to our travel partner and may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

Finding the most reliable connections from DCA to CAE…

DCA to CAE questions

What time of day is best to fly DCA to CAE?
9 AM to noon: 87% of flights arrived on time, against 53% for departures 3 to 6 PM.
Which airline is most on time from DCA to CAE?
PSA, with a season-adjusted 61% chance of operating and arriving on time over 945 flights. The adjustment compares each airline with what the route did in the months it flew, so a carrier that skipped a stormy month gets no free credit.
What is the worst month for delays on DCA to CAE?
May (62% on time); the best was October (82%), averaged over Jun 2023 to May 2026.
Is this a prediction for my flight?
No. These are historical odds from the US DOT on-time reports, FAA advisories and airport weather records. Check your flight status and the FAA delay board on the day you fly.

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Live status: FAA delays and ground stops