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Tell FlyerIntel where and when you are flying. It will show how that route actually performs at that time of day and on that day of the week, what both airports are doing right now, and when to get to the airport.

DCA → DTW

Washington to Detroit · departing 6:00 AM

Route on-time rate
78.6%
8,647 flights analyzed
At 5–9 AM
90.6%
2,033 flights in this window
Cancellation rate
2.90%
Share of scheduled flights

DCA → DTW flights departing 5–9 AM arrive on time 90.6% of the time, against 78.6% across the whole day — your departure window is 12.0 points better than average for this route.

There is no day-by-hour view for DCA → DTW: only 30 of its weekday-and-hour slots have 120 or more flights, and a day-by-hour view needs 45.

Other times on DCA → DTW

Time of day

5–9 AM is among the most reliable times to leave on DCA → DTW: 90.6% on time.

  • 5–9 AM90.6%BestYour time
  • 9 AM–12 PM85.4%
  • 12–3 PM78.4%
  • 3–6 PM69.1%
  • 6–9 PM69.2%
  • 9 PM–5 AM70.7%

Day of week

  • Monday77.9%
  • Tuesday81.3%
  • Wednesday79.0%
  • Thursday75.9%
  • Friday76.2%
  • Saturday84.5%Best
  • Sunday76.8%

Bars start below the lowest figure so a real gap is visible; read the percentage, not the bar length. A time with too few flights to score is left unscored rather than guessed at.

Source: FlyerIntel analysis of US DOT BTS data · July 2023 – July 2026 · History describes what has happened on this route. It is not a prediction about your flight. Full route profile →

Which flight

Flights on DCA → DTW, the ones scheduled closest to 6:00 AM first.

Flights on DCA → DTW and their records
FlightUsually departsOn timeCancelled
DL2869Delta Air LinesLive map6:00 AM94.3%2.07%
OH5597PSA AirlinesLive map10:10 PM470 min away43.7%16.94%

Source: FlyerIntel analysis of US DOT BTS data · July 2023 – July 2026 · “Usually departs” is the scheduled time each flight number most often had over the period; airlines retime flights, so confirm the time on your booking. Flight numbers with fewer than 90 operations on this route are left out. This is history, not a forecast for your flight.

When to get to the airport

A starting point for DCA, not a promise about your day.

Recommended arrival
3:30 AM – 4:00 AM

2h 0m before your 6:00 AM departure

How this was worked out

Standard domestic guidancePublished guidance · US airlines and the TSA commonly recommend arriving two hours before a domestic departure.+120 min
What this does not include.
  • FlyerIntel cannot currently obtain live security wait times for DCA, so this figure does not account for the queue on the day.
  • It does not include your journey to the airport, parking, or a shuttle from a remote lot.
  • International departures, and travel with children, checked pets or special assistance, need more time.

Both airports right now

Departing · DCANo disruption reported

Aviation weather is not currently a factor.

Aviation weatherVFR
44°F · wind 7 kt

Minimal operational impact. Conditions are not a notable factor for operations right now.

Updated

Washington airport profile →

Arriving · DTWNo disruption reported

Aviation weather is not currently a factor.

Aviation weatherVFR
36°F · wind 5 kt

Minimal operational impact. Conditions are not a notable factor for operations right now.

Updated

Detroit airport profile →

Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center · Conditions describe the airfield, not your flight, and change quickly.

Other ways to make this journey

Airport pairings serving Washington to Detroit.

Other ways to make this journey
RouteOn timeCancelledScore
DCA→DTW Washington to Detroit your route78.6%2.90%53
BWI→DTW Baltimore to Detroit79.9%1.28%67
IAD→DTW Washington to Detroit80.6%0.78%65

Who flies this route

Performance by the carrier that actually operates the flight.

Who flies this route
CarrierFlightsOn timeCancelledMedian delay
Delta Air Lines5,24480.3%1.93%-10 min
PSA Airlines2,66573.9%4.80%-7 min
Republic Airways64682.5%3.25%-10 min