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Route on-time record

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

Los Angeles (Los Angeles International Airport) to Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). 1,457 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 80% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.3% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was American 1763 at 7:48 AM.

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

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LAX → DCA

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

On time (12 months)

80%

Cancelled

1.3%

avg delay 16 min

Best time to leave

Before 9 AM

85% on time vs 74% noon to 3 PM

Most reliable airline

American

81% chance on time

Check LAX to DCA fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $171 (Southwest 2234 on 2026-11-18). 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 1763

    7:48 AM → 3:52 PM5h 04m nonstop

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

    89%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    95%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    4 min
    • Arrived on time 95% of the time (44 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 44 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 85% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 74%).
    • Departs outside LAX's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Limited track record · 44 flights

    Find American 1763 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · American 3283

    8:26 AM → 4:30 PM5h 04m nonstop

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

    84%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    83%
    Cancelled
    0.7%
    Avg arrival delay
    11 min
    • Arrived on time 83% of the time (133 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 85% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 74%).
    • Departs outside LAX's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Moderate track record · 133 flights

    Find American 3283 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · Delta 392

    7:50 AM → 3:30 PM4h 54m nonstop

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

    80%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    81%
    Cancelled
    1.9%
    Avg arrival delay
    18 min
    • Arrived on time 81% of the time (350 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 85% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 74%).
    • Departs outside LAX's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 350 flights

    Find Delta 392 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · American 591

    12:32 PM → 8:35 PM5h 03m nonstop

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

    77%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    78%
    Cancelled
    1.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    18 min
    • Arrived on time 78% of the time (204 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (Noon to 3 PM: 74% on time; Before 9 AM: 85%).
    • Departs outside LAX's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Strong track record · 204 flights

    Find American 591 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · Alaska 6

    11:53 AM → 8:00 PM5h 07m nonstop

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

    73%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    74%
    Cancelled
    0.8%
    Avg arrival delay
    21 min
    • Arrived on time 74% of the time (360 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs outside LAX's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 53% of its 15 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Strong track record · 360 flights

    Find Alaska 6 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • American Airlines81%

    730 flights · 82% on time as flown · 1.2% cancel

  • Delta Air Lines80%

    363 flights · 81% on time as flown · 1.7% cancel

  • Alaska Airlines74%

    364 flights · 74% on time as flown · 1.0% cancel

On time by departure time

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

  • Before 9 AM85%

    728 flights · avg delay 13 min

  • 9 AM to noon81%

    117 flights · avg delay 15 min

  • Noon to 3 PM74%

    612 flights · avg delay 20 min

Best day: Saturday (86%). Worst: Friday (77%).

Smarter routing

Nearby airports that run more on time

  • LAX → IAD 85% chance on time

    Los Angeles International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport · 2,429 flights a year · 23 mi from your airports · yours: 79%

    Rank flightsFares

  • LAX → BWI 83% chance on time

    Los Angeles International Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport · 1,751 flights a year · 30 mi from your airports · yours: 79%

    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
84
F
77
M
74
A
79
M
79
J
77
J
76
A
81
S
83
O
85
N
84
D
84

What delays this route

  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)40%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume32%
  • Late-arriving aircraft28%

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 LAX to DCA…

LAX to DCA questions

What time of day is best to fly LAX to DCA?
Before 9 AM: 85% of flights arrived on time, against 74% for departures noon to 3 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 LAX to DCA?
American, with a season-adjusted 81% 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 LAX to DCA?
March (74% on time); the best was October (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 LAX

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Live status: FAA delays and ground stops