Route on-time record
SFO to DCA: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport) to Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). 1,092 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 79% arrived within 15 minutes and 0.9% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was United 1678 at 8:25 AM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
SFO → DCA
San Francisco to Washington: 1,092 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
79%
Cancelled
0.9%
avg delay 13 min
Best time to leave
Before 9 AM
89% on time vs 71% noon to 3 PM
Most reliable airline
United
79% chance on time
Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $260 (United 2386 on 2026-11-22). 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 1678
8:25 AM → 4:56 PM5h 26m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
88%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 89%
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Avg arrival delay
- 7 min
- Arrived on time 89% of the time (353 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 71%).
- Departs inside SFO's trouble window: 60% of its 334 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
- 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 · 353 flights
Find United 1678 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#2 · Alaska 8
9:20 AM → 5:41 PM5h 21m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
77%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 78%
- Cancelled
- 1.1%
- Avg arrival delay
- 13 min
- Arrived on time 78% of the time (355 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs inside SFO's trouble window: 60% of its 334 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
- 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 · 355 flights
Find Alaska 8 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#3 · United 2386
2:00 PM → 10:28 PM5h 27m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
71%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 71%
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Avg arrival delay
- 19 min
- Arrived on time 71% of the time (361 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (Noon to 3 PM: 71% on time; Before 9 AM: 89%).
- Departs outside SFO's trouble window (7 AM to 1 PM, when 60% of its 334 ground stops and delay programs started).
Strong track record · 361 flights
Find United 2386 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- United Airlines79%
729 flights · 80% on time as flown · 0.8% cancel
- Alaska Airlines77%
363 flights · 78% on time as flown · 1.0% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM89%
364 flights · avg delay 7 min
- 9 AM to noon78%
363 flights · avg delay 13 min
- Noon to 3 PM71%
365 flights · avg delay 19 min
Best day: Saturday (90%). Worst: Thursday (80%).
Smarter routing
Nearby airports that run more on time
SFO → IAD 81% chance on time
San Francisco International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport · 2,829 flights a year · 23 mi from your airports · yours: 78%
SFO → BWI 81% chance on time
San Francisco International Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport · 1,112 flights a year · 30 mi from your airports · yours: 78%
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 volume49%
- Late-arriving aircraft33%
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)17%
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
SFO to DCA questions
- What time of day is best to fly SFO to DCA?
- Before 9 AM: 89% of flights arrived on time, against 71% 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 SFO to DCA?
- United, with a season-adjusted 79% chance of operating and arriving on time over 729 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 SFO to DCA?
- February (74% on time); the best was April (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 SFO
- DCA to SFO (return)
- SFO to LAX 76%
- SFO to SEA 74%
- SFO to JFK 80%
- SFO to SAN 68%
- SFO to LAS 76%
- SFO to ORD 77%
- SFO to DEN 76%
- SFO to SNA 81%
- SFO to PHX 76%
- SFO to BOS 78%
- SFO to EWR 76%
- SFO to DFW 75%
Most on-time flights from SFO on every route →
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops