Historical on-time performance
Raleigh-durham to Washington
227 miData through May 2026Source: US DOT · BTS
Flights on RDU–DCA arrive on time 59% of the time over the last 12 months.
On-time rate59%arrived within 15 min
p90 delay80 min1 in 10 flights is worse (tail risk)
Cancelled5.3%of scheduled flights
based on 1,797 flights over the last 12 months. On-time means arriving within 15 minutes (BTS standard).
By airline
How each carrier compares
- American AirlinesOn-time73%Medianon timep9095 minCancel1.7%Flights115
- Envoy AirbestOn-time65%Medianon timep9070 minCancel4.6%Flights416
- PSA AirlinesOn-time56%Median5 minp9080 minCancel5.3%Flights776
- Republic AirwaysOn-time56%Median5 minp9075 minCancel6.7%Flights490
Why flights run late
Delay causes
- Airline15%
- Weather6%
- Air traffic (NAS)31%
- Late aircraft47%
- Security0%
Most delay minutes here are attributed to Late aircraft.
When flights don't go
Why flights were cancelled
- Airline14%
- Weather58%
- Air traffic (NAS)28%
- Security0%
Most cancellations here are attributed to Weather. Shares are among 95 cancellations with a reported cause (BTS reports causes from June 2003).
Over time
On-time trend
By season
On-time rate by month
When to fly
Best time to fly RDU → DCA
All airlines · rolling 36 months (2023-06 .. 2026-05).
Best time of day
Mornings are the most reliable time of day to fly this route — 84% on time.
- Mornings84% on time · p90 20 min · 1,722 flights
- Middays76% on time · p90 45 min · 2,188 flights
- Afternoons69% on time · p90 65 min · 1,202 flights
- Evenings55% on time · p90 70 min · 1,421 flights
- Overnights39% on time · p90 80 min · 648 flights
Best day of week
Saturdays are the most reliable day to fly this route — 81% on time.
- Saturdays81% on time · p90 30 min · 616 flights
- Tuesdays71% on time · p90 45 min · 1,102 flights
- Mondays70% on time · p90 50 min · 1,107 flights
- Wednesdays69% on time · p90 50 min · 1,102 flights
- Sundays68% on time · p90 60 min · 1,064 flights
- Thursdays67% on time · p90 65 min · 1,089 flights
- Fridays65% on time · p90 70 min · 1,101 flights
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