Route on-time record
IAD to SAN: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
Dulles (Washington Dulles International Airport) to San Diego (San Diego International Airport). 1,400 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 84% arrived within 15 minutes and 0.4% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was United 1930 at 8:31 AM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
IAD → SAN
Dulles to San Diego: 1,400 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
84%
Cancelled
0.4%
avg delay 11 min
Best time to leave
9 AM to noon
96% on time vs 73% 6 to 9 PM
Most reliable airline
United
86% 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 · United 1930
8:31 AM → 11:16 AM5h 45m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
93%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 94%
- Cancelled
- 0.6%
- Avg arrival delay
- 4 min
- Arrived on time 94% of the time (329 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 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 · 329 flights
Find United 1930 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#2 · United 2163
12:35 PM → 3:15 PM5h 45m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
85%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 85%
- Cancelled
- 0.6%
- Avg arrival delay
- 9 min
- Arrived on time 85% of the time (164 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 164 flights
Find United 2163 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#3 · United 2054
5:55 PM → 8:45 PM5h 50m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
83%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 84%
- Cancelled
- 0.3%
- Avg arrival delay
- 11 min
- Arrived on time 84% of the time (285 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
Strong track record · 285 flights
Find United 2054 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#4 · Alaska 201
6:22 PM → 9:22 PM5h 59m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
74%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 77%
- Cancelled
- 0.6%
- Avg arrival delay
- 11 min
- Arrived on time 77% of the time (163 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (6 to 9 PM: 73% on time; 9 AM to noon: 96%).
- Departs inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
Moderate track record · 163 flights
Find Alaska 201 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- United Airlines86%
1,040 flights · 87% on time as flown · 0.4% cancel
- Alaska Airlines75%
360 flights · 74% on time as flown · 0.5% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM92%
146 flights · avg delay 6 min
- 9 AM to noon96%
188 flights · avg delay 3 min
- Noon to 3 PM87%
364 flights · avg delay 8 min
- 3 to 6 PM79%
473 flights · avg delay 13 min
- 6 to 9 PM73%
229 flights · avg delay 20 min
Best day: Tuesday (86%). Worst: Thursday (82%).
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 volume34%
- Late-arriving aircraft31%
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)20%
- Severe weather15%
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
IAD to SAN questions
- What time of day is best to fly IAD to SAN?
- 9 AM to noon: 96% of flights arrived on time, against 73% for departures 6 to 9 PM.
- Which airline is most on time from IAD to SAN?
- United, with a season-adjusted 86% chance of operating and arriving on time over 1,040 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 IAD to SAN?
- July (77% on time); the best was September (89%), 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 IAD
- SAN to IAD (return)
- IAD to ATL 78%
- IAD to DEN 81%
- IAD to SFO 79%
- IAD to LAX 80%
- IAD to MCO 81%
- IAD to CLT 83%
- IAD to ORD 75%
- IAD to SEA 76%
- IAD to DFW 77%
- IAD to IAH 83%
- IAD to BOS 75%
- IAD to EWR 73%
Most on-time flights from IAD on every route →
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops