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Route on-time record

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

Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to Los Angeles (Los Angeles International Airport). 1,457 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 74% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.5% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was American 1966 at 8:30 AM.

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

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DCA → LAX

Washington to Los Angeles: 1,457 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

74%

Cancelled

1.5%

avg delay 21 min

Best time to leave

Before 9 AM

82% on time vs 65% 9 AM to noon

Most reliable airline

American

77% chance on time

Check DCA to LAX fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $161 (Alaska 5 on 2026-11-04). 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 · American 1966

    8:30 AM → 11:26 AM5h 56m nonstop

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

    82%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    83%
    Cancelled
    1.1%
    Avg arrival delay
    10 min
    • Arrived on time 83% of the time (357 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 82% on time; 9 AM to noon: 65%).
    • 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 · 357 flights

    Find American 1966 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · American 3283

    4:59 PM → 7:45 PM5h 46m nonstop

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

    72%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    69%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    25 min
    • Arrived on time 69% of the time (39 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 44 scheduled flights.
    • Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
    • Lands inside LAX's trouble window: 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started between 4 PM and 10 PM.

    Limited track record · 39 flights

    Find American 3283 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · American 880

    5:16 PM → 7:55 PM5h 39m nonstop

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

    71%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    73%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    22 min
    • Arrived on time 73% of the time (11 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
    • Lands inside LAX's trouble window: 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started between 4 PM and 10 PM.
    • 67% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.

    Limited track record · 11 flights

    Find American 880 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · Delta 392

    4:50 PM → 7:29 PM5h 39m nonstop

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

    67%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    61%
    Cancelled
    4.4%
    Avg arrival delay
    56 min
    • Arrived on time 61% of the time (87 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Cancelled 4.4% of the time (4 of 91).
    • Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
    • Lands inside LAX's trouble window: 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started between 4 PM and 10 PM.

    Moderate track record · 87 flights

    Find Delta 392 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · Alaska 5

    9:59 AM → 12:59 PM6h 00m nonstop

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

    65%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    67%
    Cancelled
    1.1%
    Avg arrival delay
    21 min
    • Arrived on time 67% of the time (358 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (9 AM to noon: 65% on time; Before 9 AM: 82%).
    • 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 · 358 flights

    Find Alaska 5 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • American Airlines77%

    730 flights · 78% on time as flown · 1.4% cancel

  • Delta Air Lines73%

    363 flights · 74% on time as flown · 2.0% cancel

  • Alaska Airlines67%

    364 flights · 67% on time as flown · 1.2% cancel

On time by departure time

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

  • Before 9 AM82%

    421 flights · avg delay 12 min

  • 9 AM to noon65%

    308 flights · avg delay 20 min

  • 3 to 6 PM74%

    728 flights · avg delay 26 min

Best day: Saturday (81%). Worst: Wednesday (76%).

Smarter routing

Nearby airports that run more on time

  • IAD → LAX 80% chance on time

    Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport · 2,427 flights a year · 23 mi from your airports · yours: 73%

    Rank flightsFares

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
76
F
78
M
82
A
81
M
73
J
74
J
68
A
78
S
82
O
84
N
85
D
83

What delays this route

  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)33%
  • Late-arriving aircraft33%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume28%
  • 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

Finding the most reliable connections from DCA to LAX…

DCA to LAX questions

What time of day is best to fly DCA to LAX?
Before 9 AM: 82% of flights arrived on time, against 65% for departures 9 AM to noon. 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 LAX?
American, with a season-adjusted 77% chance of operating and arriving on time over 730 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 LAX?
July (68% on time); the best was November (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.

More routes from DCA

Most on-time flights from DCA on every route →

Live status: FAA delays and ground stops