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Route on-time record

SAN to IAD: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

San Diego (San Diego International Airport) to Dulles (Washington Dulles International Airport). 1,400 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 88% arrived within 15 minutes and 0.6% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was United 444 at 12:55 PM.

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

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SAN → IAD

San Diego to Dulles: 1,400 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

88%

Cancelled

0.6%

avg delay 10 min

Best time to leave

Noon to 3 PM

91% on time vs 83% 9 AM to noon

Most reliable airline

United

88% chance on time

Check SAN to IAD fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $332 (Alaska 506 on 2026-11-05). 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 · United 444

    12:55 PM → 9:00 PM5h 05m nonstop

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

    93%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    94%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    4 min
    • Arrived on time 94% of the time (106 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 109 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Noon to 3 PM: 91% on time; 9 AM to noon: 83%).
    • Departs outside SAN's trouble window (6 AM to noon, when 66% of its 166 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Moderate track record · 106 flights

    Find United 444 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · United 2129

    9:45 PM → 5:44 AM4h 58m nonstop

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

    88%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    89%
    Cancelled
    0.9%
    Avg arrival delay
    16 min
    • Arrived on time 89% of the time (323 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs outside SAN's trouble window (6 AM to noon, when 66% of its 166 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Strong track record · 323 flights

    Find United 2129 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · Alaska 506

    9:20 AM → 5:22 PM5h 02m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-12.

    87%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    90%
    Cancelled
    1.4%
    Avg arrival delay
    5 min
    • Arrived on time 90% of the time (144 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (9 AM to noon: 83% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 91%).
    • Departs inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 166 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.
    • Lands inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Moderate track record · 144 flights

    Find Alaska 506 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · United 1071

    8:00 AM → 4:07 PM5h 05m nonstop

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

    86%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    86%
    Cancelled
    0.3%
    Avg arrival delay
    11 min
    • Arrived on time 86% of the time (345 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 166 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.
    • Lands inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 345 flights

    Find United 1071 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · Alaska 322

    9:37 AM → 5:42 PM5h 05m nonstop

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

    83%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    83%
    Cancelled
    0.5%
    Avg arrival delay
    12 min
    • Arrived on time 83% of the time (208 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (9 AM to noon: 83% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 91%).
    • Departs inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 166 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.
    • Lands inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 208 flights

    Find Alaska 322 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • United Airlines88%

    1,040 flights · 89% on time as flown · 0.5% cancel

  • Alaska Airlines85%

    360 flights · 85% on time as flown · 0.8% cancel

On time by departure time

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

  • Before 9 AM87%

    418 flights · avg delay 10 min

  • 9 AM to noon83%

    292 flights · avg delay 10 min

  • Noon to 3 PM91%

    364 flights · avg delay 6 min

  • After 9 PM89%

    326 flights · avg delay 16 min

Best day: Tuesday (88%). Worst: Sunday (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.

J
88
F
91
M
86
A
86
M
88
J
83
J
76
A
81
S
88
O
85
N
87
D
85

What delays this route

  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)38%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume29%
  • Late-arriving aircraft20%
  • Severe weather12%

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 SAN to IAD…

SAN to IAD questions

What time of day is best to fly SAN to IAD?
Noon to 3 PM: 91% of flights arrived on time, against 83% for departures 9 AM to noon.
Which airline is most on time from SAN to IAD?
United, with a season-adjusted 88% 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 SAN to IAD?
July (76% on time); the best was February (91%), 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 SAN

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Live status: FAA delays and ground stops