62% of flights from Buffalo to Washington arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 5 a.m. departures ran on time 84% of the time; the 5 p.m. ones 43%. 20% of flights arrived more than an hour late or not at all.
How late?
The on-time rate treats a flight 20 minutes late the same as one 5 hours late. Here's the split for BUF → DCA: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 43% of the time. About 1 in 7 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 20 three hours or more; 5.4% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early62%
- 15–30 min late9.2%
- 30–60 min late8.8%
- 1–2 hours late7.3%
- 2–3 hours late2.3%
- 3+ hours late5.0%
- Diverted0.1%
- Cancelled5.4%
Share of all 1,108 scheduled flights, past 12 months, by arrival time against schedule.
By airline
| Airline | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | 1h+ late | Avg when late | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 1,108 | 62% | 5.4% | +2 min | 14.6% | +111 min | PSA Airlines 58%, Republic Airways 24%, Envoy 17%, American Airlines 1% |
Airline = the name on the ticket. Regional flights (e.g. "Delta Connection") count under the ticketing airline, and the operator is listed.
Best time of day to fly
On-time rate by scheduled departure hour (local time at BUF). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On BUF → DCA, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 9.1% of the time, against 3.6% for its earlier flights (2.5× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 6.6% of the time (earlier flights: 4.3%). It matters more than the numbers suggest. Miss an earlier flight and there's another one that evening; miss the last one and you're usually waiting until morning.
| Airline | Last departure | Last: cancelled | Last: 3h+ late | Earlier: cancelled | Next morning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 5:25 p.m. | 9.1% | 6.6% | 3.6% | first flight 5:18 a.m. |
Last flight = the airline's last scheduled departure on this route that day, on days it flies the route at least twice; past 12 months. Times are typical scheduled times over the latest three months.
If you need to be in DCA tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: October (84%). Worst: January (55%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 164 | 56% | 8.5% |
| Tuesday | 161 | 63% | 5.6% |
| Wednesday | 160 | 66% | 3.1% |
| Thursday | 156 | 68% | 4.5% |
| Friday | 160 | 56% | 6.9% |
| Saturday | 146 | 69% | 4.1% |
| Sunday | 161 | 57% | 5.0% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 44 · air traffic/airport 15 · airline 1
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| May 18, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jan 15, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Feb 18, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Buffalo or Washington. BUF → BWI has been 24 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUF → DCA (this route) | 1,108 | 62% | 5.4% |
| BUF → BWI Buffalo Niagara to Baltimore/Washington | 1,728 | 85% | 1.5% |
| BUF → IAD Buffalo Niagara to Washington Dulles | 1,150 | 81% | 2.4% |
| ROC → BWI Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester to Baltimore/Washington | 1,102 | 81% | 1.3% |
| ROC → IAD Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester to Washington Dulles | 1,250 | 80% | 3.0% |
| ROC → DCA Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester to Washington Reagan National | 1,033 | 62% | 6.7% |
Questions
How often are flights from BUF to DCA on time?
62% of 1,108 scheduled flights from Buffalo, NY to Washington, DC arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 5.4% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly BUF to DCA?
Flights scheduled to leave at 5 a.m. were the most reliable (84% on time). The 5 p.m. departures were the least (43%).
What month has the most delays from BUF to DCA?
January (55% on time). The best month is October (84%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from BUF to DCA more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last BUF–DCA flight of the day was cancelled 9.1% of the time over the past year, against 3.6% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- DCA → BUF (return)
- Buffalo Niagara (BUF) delays by hour
- Flights into Washington Reagan National (DCA)
- American Airlines on-time record
- Connecting off this flight? Check the risk
Domestic flights by the airlines that report to the U.S. DOT, plus their regional partners. "On time" means arriving less than 15 minutes after schedule; cancelled and diverted flights count as not on time. Past performance is a guide, not a forecast. Method.