65% of flights from Washington to Portland 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 75% of the time; the 10 p.m. ones 54%. 14% 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 → PWM: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 58% of the time. About 1 in 11 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 52 three hours or more; 4.1% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early65%
- 15–30 min late11%
- 30–60 min late10%
- 1–2 hours late5.0%
- 2–3 hours late2.4%
- 3+ hours late1.9%
- Diverted0.3%
- Cancelled4.1%
Share of all 1,143 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 | 1,143 | 65% | 4.1% | −2 min | 9.3% | +66 min | American Airlines 57%, PSA Airlines 35%, Republic Airways 8% |
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 → PWM, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 5.5% of the time, against 3.5% for its earlier flights (1.6× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 2.8% of the time (earlier flights: 1.5%). 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 | 10:10 p.m. | 5.5% | 2.8% | 3.5% | first flight 9:59 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 PWM 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 (84%). Worst: July (58%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 168 | 64% | 5.9% |
| Tuesday | 165 | 65% | 7.3% |
| Wednesday | 164 | 70% | 0.6% |
| Thursday | 161 | 64% | 3.1% |
| Friday | 162 | 59% | 3.1% |
| Saturday | 158 | 72% | 2.5% |
| Sunday | 165 | 61% | 6.1% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 36 · air traffic/airport 8 · airline 3
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 1 |
| May 19, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| May 29, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 3 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Portland. IAD → PWM has been 16 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCA → PWM (this route) | 1,143 | 65% | 4.1% |
| IAD → PWM Washington Dulles to Portland Jetport | 1,158 | 81% | 2.2% |
| BWI → PWM Baltimore/Washington to Portland Jetport | 1,331 | 79% | 1.7% |
Questions
How often are flights from DCA to PWM on time?
65% of 1,143 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Portland, ME arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 4.1% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DCA to PWM?
Flights scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. were the most reliable (75% on time). The 10 p.m. departures were the least (54%).
What month has the most delays from DCA to PWM?
July (58% on time). The best month is November (84%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DCA to PWM more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last DCA–PWM flight of the day was cancelled 5.5% of the time over the past year, against 3.5% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- PWM → DCA (return)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA) delays by hour
- Flights into Portland Jetport (PWM)
- 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.