68% of flights from Washington to Las Vegas arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 7 a.m. departures ran on time 88% of the time; the 4 p.m. ones 44%. Most reliable airline: American Airlines (87%). 12% 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 DCA → LAS: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 53% of the time. About 1 in 10 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 81 three hours or more; 1.5% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early68%
- 15–30 min late11%
- 30–60 min late9.2%
- 1–2 hours late6.6%
- 2–3 hours late2.5%
- 3+ hours late1.2%
- Diverted0.5%
- Cancelled1.5%
Share of all 729 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 365 | 48% | 1.6% | +16 min | 17.3% | +62 min | Southwest Airlines |
| American Airlines | 364 | 87% | 1.4% | −14 min | 3.3% | +72 min | American Airlines |
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 DCA). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
By airline and hour
| Departs | Southwest Airlines | American Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| 7 a.m. | — | 88% |
| 4 p.m. | 44% | — |
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: March (84%). Worst: August (65%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 106 | 63% | 0.9% |
| Tuesday | 104 | 65% | 2.9% |
| Wednesday | 104 | 68% | 1.0% |
| Thursday | 104 | 63% | 1.9% |
| Friday | 104 | 63% | 1.0% |
| Saturday | 103 | 85% | 0.0% |
| Sunday | 104 | 66% | 2.9% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 7 · airline 3 · air traffic/airport 1
Month by month
Not enough months with data to draw a trend.
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Las Vegas. IAD → LAS has been 17 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCA → LAS (this route) | 729 | 68% | 1.5% |
| IAD → LAS Washington Dulles to Las Vegas Harry Reid | 1,069 | 85% | 0.6% |
| BWI → LAS Baltimore/Washington to Las Vegas Harry Reid | 1,739 | 78% | 0.9% |
Questions
How often are flights from DCA to LAS on time?
68% of 729 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Las Vegas, NV arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 1.5% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DCA to LAS?
Flights scheduled to leave at 7 a.m. were the most reliable (88% on time). The 4 p.m. departures were the least (44%).
Which airline is most on time from DCA to LAS?
American Airlines: 87% of its 364 flights on the route arrived on time. Southwest Airlines: 48%.
What month has the most delays from DCA to LAS?
August (65% on time). The best month is March (84%), over 2023–2026.
Related
- LAS → DCA (return)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA) delays by hour
- Flights into Las Vegas Harry Reid (LAS)
- Southwest Airlines on-time record
- 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.