Route on-time record
DCA to SAN: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to San Diego (San Diego International Airport). 364 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 67% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.6% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Alaska 15 at 8:59 AM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
DCA → SAN
Washington to San Diego: 364 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
67%
Cancelled
1.6%
avg delay 17 min
Best time to leave
Before 9 AM
68% on time vs 64% 9 AM to noon
Most reliable airline
Alaska
66% chance on time
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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 · Alaska 15
8:59 AM → 11:39 AM5h 42m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
66%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 67%
- Cancelled
- 1.6%
- Avg arrival delay
- 17 min
- Arrived on time 67% of the time (355 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 68% on time; 9 AM to noon: 64%).
- Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).
- Lands inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 166 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.
Strong track record · 355 flights
Find Alaska 15 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- Alaska Airlines66%
364 flights · 67% on time as flown · 1.6% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM68%
308 flights · avg delay 18 min
- 9 AM to noon64%
56 flights · avg delay 16 min
Best day: Monday (72%). Worst: Friday (62%).
Smarter routing
Nearby airports that run more on time
IAD → SAN 83% chance on time
Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport · 1,400 flights a year · 23 mi from your airports · yours: 66%
BWI → SAN 76% chance on time
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to San Diego International Airport · 1,120 flights a year · 30 mi from your airports · yours: 66%
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
- Air traffic control and airport volume54%
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)33%
- Severe weather13%
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 SAN questions
- What time of day is best to fly DCA to SAN?
- Before 9 AM: 68% of flights arrived on time, against 64% 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 SAN?
- Alaska, with a season-adjusted 66% chance of operating and arriving on time over 364 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 SAN?
- October (58% on time); the best was March (76%), 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
- SAN 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%
Most on-time flights from DCA on every route →
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops