61% of flights from Burlington to Washington arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 6 a.m. departures ran on time 77% of the time; the 5 p.m. ones 51%. 20% 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 BTV → DCA: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 44% of the time. About 1 in 7 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 21 three hours or more; 5.1% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early61%
- 15–30 min late10%
- 30–60 min late9.1%
- 1–2 hours late6.6%
- 2–3 hours late3.0%
- 3+ hours late4.8%
- Diverted0.4%
- Cancelled5.1%
Share of all 1,118 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 | 1,118 | 61% | 5.1% | +1 min | 14.5% | +112 min | PSA Airlines 74%, American Airlines 16%, Republic Airways 10%, Envoy 0% |
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 BTV). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On BTV → DCA, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 6.3% of the time, against 4.5% for its earlier flights (1.4× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 5.0% of the time (earlier flights: 4.9%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 5:14 p.m. | 6.3% | 5.0% | 4.5% | first flight 6:00 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: October (82%). Worst: July (58%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 168 | 63% | 7.7% |
| Tuesday | 158 | 66% | 3.8% |
| Wednesday | 163 | 59% | 4.3% |
| Thursday | 161 | 57% | 2.5% |
| Friday | 164 | 55% | 6.7% |
| Saturday | 146 | 70% | 4.8% |
| Sunday | 158 | 58% | 5.7% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 38 · air traffic/airport 14 · airline 5
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 3 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Feb 27, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Burlington or Washington. BTV → IAD has been 13 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTV → DCA (this route) | 1,118 | 61% | 5.1% |
| BTV → IAD Patrick Leahy Burlington to Washington Dulles | 1,226 | 73% | 2.3% |
Questions
How often are flights from BTV to DCA on time?
61% of 1,118 scheduled flights from Burlington, VT to Washington, DC arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 5.1% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly BTV to DCA?
Flights scheduled to leave at 6 a.m. were the most reliable (77% on time). The 5 p.m. departures were the least (51%).
What month has the most delays from BTV to DCA?
July (58% on time). The best month is October (82%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from BTV to DCA more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last BTV–DCA flight of the day was cancelled 6.3% of the time over the past year, against 4.5% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- DCA → BTV (return)
- Patrick Leahy Burlington (BTV) 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.