80% of flights from Philadelphia to Washington arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is about the typical U.S. route. The 6 a.m. departures ran on time 89% of the time; the 7 p.m. ones 71%. 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 PHL → IAD: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 39% of the time. About 1 in 11 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 36 three hours or more; 3.1% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early80%
- 15–30 min late4.9%
- 30–60 min late3.4%
- 1–2 hours late3.9%
- 2–3 hours late2.1%
- 3+ hours late2.8%
- Diverted0.0%
- Cancelled3.1%
Share of all 1,104 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 1,104 | 80% | 3.1% | −12 min | 8.8% | +109 min | GoJet 59%, Republic Airways 22%, Mesa Airlines 11%, CommutAir 8% |
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 PHL). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On PHL → IAD, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 4.1% of the time, against 2.6% for its earlier flights (1.6× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 4.7% of the time (earlier flights: 1.9%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 7:45 p.m. | 4.1% | 4.7% | 2.6% | first flight 6:10 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 IAD 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 (89%). Worst: January (73%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 171 | 80% | 4.1% |
| Tuesday | 168 | 88% | 2.4% |
| Wednesday | 162 | 80% | 1.8% |
| Thursday | 165 | 78% | 3.6% |
| Friday | 163 | 79% | 3.1% |
| Saturday | 131 | 78% | 3.0% |
| Sunday | 144 | 78% | 3.5% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: air traffic/airport 18 · weather 16
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 11, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Philadelphia or Washington. None has been clearly more reliable than PHL → IAD.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHL → IAD (this route) | 1,104 | 80% | 3.1% |
| PHL → DCA Philadelphia to Washington Reagan National | 785 | 53% | 5.3% |
Questions
How often are flights from PHL to IAD on time?
80% of 1,104 scheduled flights from Philadelphia, PA to Washington, DC arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 3.1% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly PHL to IAD?
Flights scheduled to leave at 6 a.m. were the most reliable (89% on time). The 7 p.m. departures were the least (71%).
What month has the most delays from PHL to IAD?
January (73% on time). The best month is October (89%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from PHL to IAD more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last PHL–IAD flight of the day was cancelled 4.1% of the time over the past year, against 2.6% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- IAD → PHL (return)
- Philadelphia (PHL) delays by hour
- Flights into Washington Dulles (IAD)
- United 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.