Route on-time record

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

Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to Dallas-Fort Worth (Dallas Fort Worth International Airport). 3,312 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 77% arrived within 15 minutes and 3.7% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was American 2243 at 5:00 AM.

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

DCA → DFW

Washington to Dallas-Fort Worth: 3,312 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

77%

Cancelled

3.7%

avg delay 21 min

Best time to leave

Before 9 AM

87% on time vs 58% 6 to 9 PM

Most reliable airline

American

74% chance on time

Check DCA to DFW fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $192 (American 1978 on 2026-10-21). 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 · American 2243
5:00 AM → 7:24 AM3h 24m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
87%
chance on time
On time (history)
93%
Cancelled
5.5%
Avg arrival delay
13 min
- Arrived on time 93% of the time (68 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 5.5% of the time (4 of 73).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 87% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 58%).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 68 flights
Find American 2243 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#2 · American 1976
10:35 AM → 1:23 PM3h 48m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.
86%
chance on time
On time (history)
97%
Cancelled
0.0%
Avg arrival delay
2 min
- Arrived on time 97% of the time (29 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Never cancelled in 30 scheduled flights.
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
- Lands inside DFW's trouble window: 53% of its 139 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
Limited track record · 29 flights
Find American 1976 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#3 · American 1839
6:57 AM → 9:34 AM3h 37m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
85%
chance on time
On time (history)
89%
Cancelled
3.9%
Avg arrival delay
12 min
- Arrived on time 89% of the time (198 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.9% of the time (8 of 207).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 87% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 58%).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 198 flights
Find American 1839 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#4 · American 634
6:30 AM → 9:25 AM3h 55m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.
85%
chance on time
On time (history)
89%
Cancelled
3.2%
Avg arrival delay
23 min
- Arrived on time 89% of the time (147 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.2% of the time (5 of 154).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 87% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 58%).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 147 flights
Find American 634 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#5 · American 1022
6:00 AM → 8:33 AM3h 33m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.
84%
chance on time
On time (history)
89%
Cancelled
4.2%
Avg arrival delay
13 min
- Arrived on time 89% of the time (46 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 4.2% of the time (2 of 48).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 87% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 58%).
- 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 · 46 flights
Find American 1022 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#6 · American 454
7:30 AM → 10:29 AM3h 59m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.
84%
chance on time
On time (history)
88%
Cancelled
3.3%
Avg arrival delay
8 min
- Arrived on time 88% of the time (175 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.3% of the time (6 of 181).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 87% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 58%).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 175 flights
Find American 454 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#7 · American 1342
11:36 AM → 2:23 PM3h 47m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.
84%
chance on time
On time (history)
97%
Cancelled
3.3%
Avg arrival delay
3 min
- Arrived on time 97% of the time (29 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.3% of the time (1 of 30).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
- Lands inside DFW's trouble window: 53% of its 139 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
Limited track record · 29 flights
Find American 1342 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#8 · American 1978
7:45 AM → 10:26 AM3h 41m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
80%
chance on time
On time (history)
83%
Cancelled
3.9%
Avg arrival delay
16 min
- Arrived on time 83% of the time (296 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.9% of the time (12 of 310).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 87% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 58%).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
Strong track record · 296 flights
Find American 1978 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#9 · American 1576
8:59 AM → 11:40 AM3h 41m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20. Same departure also flew as American 848; its record covers all of them.
78%
chance on time
On time (history)
82%
Cancelled
3.6%
Avg arrival delay
33 min
- Arrived on time 82% of the time (187 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.6% of the time (7 of 195).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 87% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 58%).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 187 flights
Find American 1576 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#10 · American 1624
3:46 PM → 6:29 PM3h 43m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
77%
chance on time
On time (history)
86%
Cancelled
3.6%
Avg arrival delay
14 min
- Arrived on time 86% of the time (50 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.6% of the time (2 of 55).
- Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
- Lands inside DFW's trouble window: 53% of its 139 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
Limited track record · 50 flights
Find American 1624 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

American Airlines74%
3,312 flights · 77% on time as flown · 3.7% cancel

On time by departure time

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

Before 9 AM87%
980 flights · avg delay 17 min
9 AM to noon83%
880 flights · avg delay 16 min
Noon to 3 PM76%
434 flights · avg delay 18 min
3 to 6 PM66%
657 flights · avg delay 27 min
6 to 9 PM58%
360 flights · avg delay 36 min

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.

What delays this route

Late-arriving aircraft45%
Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)30%
Air traffic control and airport volume18%
Severe weather6%

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

DCA to DFW questions

What time of day is best to fly DCA to DFW?: Before 9 AM: 87% of flights arrived on time, against 58% for departures 6 to 9 PM. Later flights inherit delays from earlier ones, so the first departures of the day usually run best.
Which airline is most on time from DCA to DFW?: American, with a season-adjusted 74% chance of operating and arriving on time over 3,312 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 DFW?: July (70% on time); the best was September (85%), 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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