80% of flights from Phoenix to Washington arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is about the typical U.S. route. The 11 p.m. departures ran on time 86% of the time; the noon ones 67%. 7% 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 PHX → DCA: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 57% of the time. About 1 in 21 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 121 three hours or more; 1.5% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early80%
- 15–30 min late6.8%
- 30–60 min late6.0%
- 1–2 hours late2.7%
- 2–3 hours late1.2%
- 3+ hours late0.8%
- Diverted1.1%
- Cancelled1.5%
Share of all 1,086 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 | 1,086 | 80% | 1.5% | −7 min | 4.7% | +63 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 PHX). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On PHX → DCA, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 1.9% of the time, against 1.3% for its earlier flights (1.5× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 0.3% of the time (earlier flights: 1.1%). 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 | 11:45 p.m. | 1.9% | 0.3% | 1.3% | first flight 8:38 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: April (88%). Worst: July (74%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 159 | 79% | 0.6% |
| Tuesday | 155 | 81% | 2.6% |
| Wednesday | 155 | 82% | 0.7% |
| Thursday | 155 | 83% | 1.3% |
| Friday | 154 | 75% | 1.9% |
| Saturday | 153 | 85% | 1.3% |
| Sunday | 155 | 75% | 1.9% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 14 · air traffic/airport 2
Month by month
Not enough months with data to draw a trend.
Flight numbers on this route
Regular flights with at least 120 scheduled trips in the past year. Sorted by departure time.
| Flight | Departs | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA 3191 | 8:30 a.m. | 181 | 81% | 0.5% | −6 min | American Airlines |
| AA 1542 | 11:45 p.m. | 138 | 83% | 2.2% | −8 min | American Airlines |
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| May 25, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 2 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Phoenix or Washington. PHX → IAD has been 5 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHX → DCA (this route) | 1,086 | 80% | 1.5% |
| PHX → IAD Phoenix Sky Harbor to Washington Dulles | 979 | 85% | 0.6% |
| PHX → BWI Phoenix Sky Harbor to Baltimore/Washington | 1,220 | 78% | 0.9% |
Questions
How often are flights from PHX to DCA on time?
80% of 1,086 scheduled flights from Phoenix, AZ to Washington, DC 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 PHX to DCA?
Flights scheduled to leave at 11 p.m. were the most reliable (86% on time). The noon departures were the least (67%).
What month has the most delays from PHX to DCA?
July (74% on time). The best month is April (88%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from PHX to DCA more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last PHX–DCA flight of the day was cancelled 1.9% of the time over the past year, against 1.3% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- DCA → PHX (return)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) 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.