American AirlinesAA69% on time
Flights AA5304 13:55 daily · AA4801 17:18 We Th · AA5248 17:39 Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su
live
Direct flights from Washington (DCA) to Philadelphia (PHL): 7 nonstop departures observed each week across 1 airline. 64% of the last 14 operated flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. The median arrival is 7 minutes early. No cancellations were recorded across the 14 tracked flights. The nonstop covers 192 km, an estimated 45 minutes in the air. Measured by Pro Flight Search from live flight boards at Washington and Philadelphia. Updated 10 September 2026 at 19:37 UTC.
DCA
Washington
busy · +20
PHL
Philadelphia
smooth · +0
192 km · ~0h 45m est.
Runs mixed · 1 airline · 7x weekly · nonstop
64% on time
of the last 14 operated DCA → PHL flights arrived within 15 minutes
Median arrival delay is −7 min. 0 of 14 tracked legs cancelled in the sample. Will a delayed flight be cancelled? →
Median arrival−7 minacross the last 14 operated legs
Flight time~0h 45mestimated from route distance
Weekly departures7x1 direct airline on the leg
Cancelled0.0%recent route rate · 0 of 14
The week
scheduled departures · origin local time06121824
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
American Airlines
Each mark is a scheduled departure at its origin-local time, observed operating in the last 7 days. Today is highlighted.
Who flies it
observed on the boards · 7 daysHistory
operated legs · board outcomes09-09YX4801departed+26
Actual board outcomes rather than schedules, paired departure and arrival per flight and day.
Full board history, day by day →
Airports right now
live boardsWeather lens
Current conditions put the pressure at DCA and PHL: 47% odds of a 15+ minute delay and around +13 min expected when it bites, measured from this route's own weather-matched delay history. See live delays → · Weather risk by airport →
next sweep in 120s
How the Washington to Philadelphia route actually runs
Pro Flight Search records official board updates for nonstop DCA to PHL flights through the day: schedules, estimates, gate pushes and actual departures. The verdict above comes from operated flights, so it reflects what this route does rather than what the timetable promises.
Planning around a delay? Live airport delays · Weather delay risk map · Will a delayed flight be cancelled? · Do planes make up time in the air? · How we measure
Cite this data
Journalists, bloggers, and researchers may cite this page with attribution and a link to Pro Flight Search.
Suggested citation
Pro Flight Search — Washington (DCA) to Philadelphia (PHL) route reliability, measured from operated flights on official airport boards.
Canonical URL
How we measure this →
https://proflightsearch.com/search-flights/DCA-PHL
DCA to PHL questions
Is DCA–PHL running on time right now?
Smooth skies ahead. The departure side at DCA is the weaker end, route health score 87/100. The airports section above carries the live status and delay window at both ends.
Morning or evening flight on DCA–PHL?
Operators schedule evening departures around 17:18 from DCA. Earlier flights typically land before destination-airport delays accumulate later in the day; check the PHL delay card to confirm conditions when you'd arrive.
How long is the flight from DCA to PHL?
Great-circle distance is 192 km. With typical jet cruise speed plus taxi, climb and descent, expect roughly 44–46 min gate-to-gate on this route.
How often does DCA–PHL fly?
American Airlines runs the route with about 15 flights a week (daily). Since one carrier owns the route, a single disruption tends to ripple through the day.
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