62% of flights from Washington to Albany arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 10 a.m. departures ran on time 74% of the time; the 10 p.m. ones 48%. 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 DCA → ALB: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 48% of the time. About 1 in 7 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 31 three hours or more; 5.6% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early62%
- 15–30 min late9.1%
- 30–60 min late9.7%
- 1–2 hours late7.5%
- 2–3 hours late2.9%
- 3+ hours late3.2%
- Diverted0.3%
- Cancelled5.6%
Share of all 1,188 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 | 1,188 | 62% | 5.6% | 0 min | 13.6% | +82 min | PSA Airlines 87%, American Airlines 8%, Republic Airways 5% |
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 → ALB, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 10.8% of the time, against 3.4% for its earlier flights (3.2× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 3.0% of the time (earlier flights: 3.3%). 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 | 10:15 p.m. | 10.8% | 3.0% | 3.4% | first flight 10:04 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 ALB tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: September (83%). Worst: July (56%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 185 | 56% | 6.5% |
| Tuesday | 182 | 63% | 7.1% |
| Wednesday | 179 | 66% | 4.5% |
| Thursday | 177 | 55% | 6.8% |
| Friday | 180 | 65% | 3.3% |
| Saturday | 121 | 74% | 4.1% |
| Sunday | 164 | 55% | 6.7% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 50 · air traffic/airport 11 · airline 4 · security 2
Month by month
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 5065 | 10:15 p.m. | 193 | 48% | 9.8% | +10 min | PSA Airlines |
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 1 |
| Aug 16, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 1 |
| Jun 12, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 2 |
| Jul 9, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Albany. BWI → ALB has been 17 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCA → ALB (this route) | 1,188 | 62% | 5.6% |
| BWI → ALB Baltimore/Washington to Albany | 1,740 | 79% | 1.8% |
| IAD → ALB Washington Dulles to Albany | 1,434 | 75% | 2.2% |
Questions
How often are flights from DCA to ALB on time?
62% of 1,188 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Albany, NY 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 ALB?
Flights scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. were the most reliable (74% on time). The 10 p.m. departures were the least (48%).
What month has the most delays from DCA to ALB?
July (56% on time). The best month is September (83%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DCA to ALB more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last DCA–ALB flight of the day was cancelled 10.8% of the time over the past year, against 3.4% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- ALB → DCA (return)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA) delays by hour
- Flights into Albany (ALB)
- 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.