62% of flights from Washington to Asheville arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The noon departures ran on time 56% of the time; the 5 p.m. ones 52%. 16% 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 → AVL: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 56% of the time. About 1 in 10 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 74 three hours or more; 5.6% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early62%
- 15–30 min late12%
- 30–60 min late10%
- 1–2 hours late6.8%
- 2–3 hours late2.3%
- 3+ hours late1.4%
- Diverted0.0%
- Cancelled5.6%
Share of all 518 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 | 518 | 62% | 5.6% | 0 min | 10.4% | +60 min | PSA Airlines 83%, Republic Airways 16%, Envoy 1% |
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 → AVL, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 10.4% of the time, against 3.3% for its earlier flights (3.2× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 2.6% of the time (earlier flights: 0.7%). 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 | 5:36 p.m. | 10.4% | 2.6% | 3.3% | first flight 9:09 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 AVL tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: November (86%). Worst: July (64%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77 | — | — |
| Tuesday | 75 | — | — |
| Wednesday | 75 | — | — |
| Thursday | 76 | — | — |
| Friday | 75 | — | — |
| Saturday | 68 | — | — |
| Sunday | 72 | — | — |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 21 · air traffic/airport 7 · airline 1
Month by month
Not enough months with data to draw a trend.
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Asheville. BWI → GSP has been 17 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCA → AVL (this route) | 518 | 62% | 5.6% |
| BWI → GSP Baltimore/Washington to Greenville-Spartanburg | 720 | 79% | 1.8% |
| IAD → GSP Washington Dulles to Greenville-Spartanburg | 855 | 79% | 1.5% |
| DCA → GSP Washington Reagan National to Greenville-Spartanburg | 999 | 61% | 5.2% |
Questions
How often are flights from DCA to AVL on time?
62% of 518 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Asheville, NC arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 5.6% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DCA to AVL?
Flights scheduled to leave at noon were the most reliable (56% on time). The 5 p.m. departures were the least (52%).
What month has the most delays from DCA to AVL?
July (64% on time). The best month is November (86%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DCA to AVL more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last DCA–AVL flight of the day was cancelled 10.4% of the time over the past year, against 3.3% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- AVL → DCA (return)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA) delays by hour
- Flights into Asheville (AVL)
- 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.