63% of flights from Washington to Syracuse arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 10 a.m. departures ran on time 78% of the time; the 3 p.m. ones 56%. 18% 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 → SYR: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 48% of the time. About 1 in 8 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 49 three hours or more; 5.5% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early63%
- 15–30 min late9.5%
- 30–60 min late9.1%
- 1–2 hours late6.6%
- 2–3 hours late3.5%
- 3+ hours late2.0%
- Diverted0.2%
- Cancelled5.5%
Share of all 1,028 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 | 1,028 | 63% | 5.5% | −2 min | 12.2% | +77 min | PSA Airlines 56%, American Airlines 19%, Republic Airways 15%, Envoy 11% |
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 → SYR, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 6.4% of the time, against 5.1% for its earlier flights, about the same. It arrived 3+ hours late 1.9% of the time (earlier flights: 2.1%). 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 | 10:59 p.m. | 6.4% | 1.9% | 5.1% | first flight 11:24 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: October (84%). Worst: July (55%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 156 | 62% | 8.3% |
| Tuesday | 154 | 71% | 5.8% |
| Wednesday | 153 | 61% | 2.6% |
| Thursday | 150 | 60% | 2.7% |
| Friday | 153 | 59% | 5.9% |
| Saturday | 111 | 72% | 6.3% |
| Sunday | 151 | 62% | 7.3% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 43 · air traffic/airport 13 · airline 1
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 2 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jan 28, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| Aug 2, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Syracuse. IAD → SYR has been 14 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCA → SYR (this route) | 1,028 | 63% | 5.5% |
| IAD → SYR Washington Dulles to Syracuse Hancock | 1,344 | 77% | 2.8% |
| IAD → ITH Washington Dulles to Ithaca Tompkins | 861 | 72% | 4.2% |
Questions
How often are flights from DCA to SYR on time?
63% of 1,028 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Syracuse, NY arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 5.5% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DCA to SYR?
Flights scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. were the most reliable (78% on time). The 3 p.m. departures were the least (56%).
What month has the most delays from DCA to SYR?
July (55% on time). The best month is October (84%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DCA to SYR more likely to be cancelled?
Not much. Each airline's last DCA–SYR flight of the day was cancelled 6.4% of the time over the past year, against 5.1% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- SYR → DCA (return)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA) delays by hour
- Flights into Syracuse Hancock (SYR)
- 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.