Route on-time record
DCA to MSN: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to Madison (Dane County Regional Truax Field). 1,172 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 72% arrived within 15 minutes and 4.6% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Republic 5645 at 3:15 PM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
DCA → MSN
Washington to Madison: 1,172 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
72%
Cancelled
4.6%
avg delay 24 min
Best time to leave
3 to 6 PM
78% on time vs 60% after 9 PM
Most reliable airline
Republic
72% chance on time
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 · Republic 5645 · sold as American Eagle, Delta Connection or United Express
3:15 PM → 4:38 PM2h 23m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
76%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 78%
- Cancelled
- 2.3%
- Avg arrival delay
- 19 min
- Arrived on time 78% of the time (296 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 78% on time; After 9 PM: 60%).
- 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 · 296 flights
Find 3:15 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#2 · PSA 5196 · sold as American Eagle
11:36 AM → 12:55 PM2h 19m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
72%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 78%
- Cancelled
- 0.0%
- Avg arrival delay
- 10 min
- Arrived on time 78% of the time (9 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).
- Short track record (9 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.
Limited track record · 9 flights
Find 11:36 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#3 · PSA 5647 · sold as American Eagle
9:59 AM → 11:14 AM2h 22m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.
70%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 74%
- Cancelled
- 4.5%
- Avg arrival delay
- 22 min
- Arrived on time 74% of the time (167 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 4.5% of the time (8 of 176).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
- 64% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.
Moderate track record · 167 flights
Find 9:59 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#4 · PSA 5202 · sold as American Eagle
2:18 PM → 3:42 PM2h 24m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.
68%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 75%
- Cancelled
- 0.0%
- Avg arrival delay
- 16 min
- Arrived on time 75% of the time (44 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.
- Short track record (44 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.
Limited track record · 44 flights
Find 2:18 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#5 · PSA 5221 · sold as American Eagle
2:24 PM → 3:50 PM2h 26m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.
68%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 72%
- Cancelled
- 3.3%
- Avg arrival delay
- 21 min
- Arrived on time 72% of the time (208 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.3% of the time (7 of 215).
- Departs inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
- 54% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.
Strong track record · 208 flights
Find 2:24 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#6 · PSA 5071 · sold as American Eagle
8:30 PM → 9:52 PM2h 22m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20. Same departure also flew as PSA 5494; its record covers all of them.
59%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 63%
- Cancelled
- 6.6%
- Avg arrival delay
- 39 min
- Arrived on time 63% of the time (212 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 6.6% of the time (15 of 228).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
- 65% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.
Strong track record · 212 flights
Find 8:30 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#7 · PSA 5373 · sold as American Eagle
10:00 PM → 11:19 PM2h 19m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
58%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 57%
- Cancelled
- 10.3%
- Avg arrival delay
- 32 min
- Arrived on time 57% of the time (35 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 10.3% of the time (4 of 39).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (After 9 PM: 60% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 78%).
- 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 · 35 flights
Find 10:00 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- Republic Airways (sold as American Eagle, Delta Connection or United Express)72%
424 flights · 76% on time as flown · 4.5% cancel
- PSA Airlines (sold as American Eagle)66%
724 flights · 69% on time as flown · 4.7% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM77%
129 flights · avg delay 24 min
- 9 AM to noon76%
148 flights · avg delay 12 min
- Noon to 3 PM69%
263 flights · avg delay 23 min
- 3 to 6 PM78%
305 flights · avg delay 19 min
- 6 to 9 PM63%
279 flights · avg delay 36 min
- After 9 PM60%
48 flights · avg delay 33 min
Best day: Saturday (80%). Worst: Friday (73%).
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 aircraft58%
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)23%
- Air traffic control and airport volume15%
- Severe weather4%
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 MSN questions
- What time of day is best to fly DCA to MSN?
- 3 to 6 PM: 78% of flights arrived on time, against 60% for departures after 9 PM.
- Which airline is most on time from DCA to MSN?
- Republic, with a season-adjusted 72% chance of operating and arriving on time over 424 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 MSN?
- February (66% on time); the best was October (88%), 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
- MSN to DCA (return)
- DCA to BOS 71%
- DCA to ORD 74%
- DCA to ATL 78%
- DCA to LGA 67%
- DCA to MCO 74%
- DCA to BNA 77%
- DCA to MIA 75%
- DCA to DFW 77%
- DCA to IAH 81%
- DCA to DTW 76%
- DCA to CLT 78%
- DCA to MSP 78%
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops