73% of flights from Washington to Fort Myers arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 6 a.m. departures ran on time 88% of the time; the 3 p.m. ones 63%. 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 → RSW: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 54% of the time. About 1 in 12 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 50 three hours or more; 2.5% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early73%
- 15–30 min late8.5%
- 30–60 min late6.4%
- 1–2 hours late5.4%
- 2–3 hours late1.3%
- 3+ hours late2.0%
- Diverted1.2%
- Cancelled2.5%
Share of all 857 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 | 857 | 73% | 2.5% | −8 min | 8.6% | +79 min | American Airlines 97%, Republic Airways 2%, PSA Airlines 0% |
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.
Last flight of the day
On DCA → RSW, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 2.0% of the time, against 2.9% for its earlier flights, so here the last flight is actually the safer one. It arrived 3+ hours late 3.0% of the time (earlier flights: 1.0%). 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 | 1:59 p.m. | 2.0% | 3.0% | 2.9% | first flight 10:45 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.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: November (86%). Worst: July (68%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 126 | 68% | 5.6% |
| Tuesday | 124 | 79% | 4.0% |
| Wednesday | 123 | 80% | 0.8% |
| Thursday | 120 | 74% | 0.0% |
| Friday | 122 | 70% | 0.8% |
| Saturday | 117 | 72% | 1.7% |
| Sunday | 125 | 66% | 4.0% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 16 · air traffic/airport 3 · airline 2
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Dec 5, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 2 |
| Mar 15, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 3 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Fort Myers. IAD → RSW has been 13 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCA → RSW (this route) | 857 | 73% | 2.5% |
| IAD → RSW Washington Dulles to Southwest Florida | 462 | 86% | 0.7% |
| BWI → RSW Baltimore/Washington to Southwest Florida | 1,407 | 73% | 2.0% |
Questions
How often are flights from DCA to RSW on time?
73% of 857 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Fort Myers, FL arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 2.5% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DCA to RSW?
Flights scheduled to leave at 6 a.m. were the most reliable (88% on time). The 3 p.m. departures were the least (63%).
What month has the most delays from DCA to RSW?
July (68% on time). The best month is November (86%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DCA to RSW more likely to be cancelled?
No, the opposite. Each airline's last DCA–RSW flight of the day was cancelled 2.0% of the time over the past year, against 2.9% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- RSW → DCA (return)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA) delays by hour
- Flights into Southwest Florida (RSW)
- 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.