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Route on-time record

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

Philadelphia (Philadelphia International Airport) to Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). 861 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 61% arrived within 15 minutes and 4.3% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was PSA 5246 at 3:38 PM.

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

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PHL → DCA

Philadelphia to Washington: 861 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

61%

Cancelled

4.3%

avg delay 32 min

Best time to leave

9 AM to noon

84% on time vs 54% 3 to 6 PM

Most reliable airline

Republic

59% chance on time

Check PHL to DCA fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $343 (American 5265 on 2026-10-27). 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 · PSA 5246 · sold as American Eagle

    3:38 PM → 5:00 PM1h 22m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-18.

    57%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    88%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    18 min
    • Arrived on time 88% of the time (8 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 54% on time; 9 AM to noon: 84%).
    • Departs inside PHL's trouble window: 72% of its 95 ground stops and delay programs started between 2 PM and 8 PM.
    • Lands inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Limited track record · 8 flights

    Find 3:38 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · PSA 5636 · sold as American Eagle

    3:20 PM → 4:42 PM1h 22m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31. Same departure also flew as PSA 5017; its record covers all of them.

    55%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    59%
    Cancelled
    1.1%
    Avg arrival delay
    53 min
    • Arrived on time 59% of the time (88 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 54% on time; 9 AM to noon: 84%).
    • Departs inside PHL's trouble window: 72% of its 95 ground stops and delay programs started between 2 PM and 8 PM.
    • 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 · 88 flights

    Find 3:20 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · PSA 5019 · sold as American Eagle

    7:05 PM → 8:20 PM1h 15m nonstop

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

    51%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    67%
    Cancelled
    10.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    20 min
    • Arrived on time 67% of the time (9 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs inside PHL's trouble window: 72% of its 95 ground stops and delay programs started between 2 PM and 8 PM.
    • 54% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.

    Limited track record · 9 flights

    Find 7:05 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · PSA 5244 · sold as American Eagle

    6:53 PM → 8:19 PM1h 26m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-19.

    49%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    45%
    Cancelled
    8.4%
    Avg arrival delay
    49 min
    • Arrived on time 45% of the time (163 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Cancelled 8.4% of the time (15 of 178).
    • Departs inside PHL's trouble window: 72% of its 95 ground stops and delay programs started between 2 PM and 8 PM.

    Moderate track record · 163 flights

    Find 6:53 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · Republic 4407 · sold as American Eagle, Delta Connection or United Express

    3:47 PM → 5:00 PM1h 13m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-29.

    47%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    25%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    50 min
    • Arrived on time 25% of the time (8 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 54% on time; 9 AM to noon: 84%).
    • Departs inside PHL's trouble window: 72% of its 95 ground stops and delay programs started between 2 PM and 8 PM.
    • Lands inside DCA's trouble window: 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Limited track record · 8 flights

    Find 3:47 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)59%

    224 flights · 67% on time as flown · 5.7% cancel

  • PSA Airlines (sold as American Eagle)58%

    633 flights · 59% on time as flown · 3.6% cancel

On time by departure time

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

  • Before 9 AM71%

    80 flights · avg delay 55 min

  • 9 AM to noon84%

    134 flights · avg delay 14 min

  • Noon to 3 PM57%

    58 flights · avg delay 38 min

  • 3 to 6 PM54%

    229 flights · avg delay 29 min

  • 6 to 9 PM55%

    360 flights · avg delay 35 min

Best day: Wednesday (83%). Worst: Friday (75%).

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
73
F
79
M
78
A
74
M
76
J
80
J
76
A
82
S
87
O
87
N
80
D
73

What delays this route

  • Late-arriving aircraft42%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume30%
  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)20%
  • Severe weather9%

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 PHL to DCA…

PHL to DCA questions

What time of day is best to fly PHL to DCA?
9 AM to noon: 84% of flights arrived on time, against 54% for departures 3 to 6 PM.
Which airline is most on time from PHL to DCA?
Republic, with a season-adjusted 59% chance of operating and arriving on time over 224 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 PHL to DCA?
December (73% on time); the best was October (87%), 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.

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Live status: FAA delays and ground stops