80% of flights from Washington to Columbia arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is about the typical U.S. route. The noon departures ran on time 83% of the time; the 10 p.m. ones 77%. 9% 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 IAD → CAE: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 51% of the time. About 1 in 15 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 45 three hours or more; 1.8% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early80%
- 15–30 min late6.1%
- 30–60 min late5.6%
- 1–2 hours late3.5%
- 2–3 hours late0.8%
- 3+ hours late2.2%
- Diverted0.4%
- Cancelled1.8%
Share of all 908 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 908 | 80% | 1.8% | −10 min | 6.5% | +86 min | CommutAir 80%, GoJet 20% |
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 IAD). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On IAD → CAE, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 2.9% of the time, against 0.9% for its earlier flights (3.2× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 2.0% of the time (earlier flights: 2.2%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 5:21 p.m. | 2.9% | 2.0% | 0.9% | first flight 8:15 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 CAE 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 (90%). Worst: January (66%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 138 | 80% | 1.5% |
| Tuesday | 136 | 89% | 0.7% |
| Wednesday | 128 | 83% | 0.8% |
| Thursday | 134 | 78% | 1.5% |
| Friday | 134 | 76% | 1.5% |
| Saturday | 110 | 75% | 4.5% |
| Sunday | 128 | 76% | 2.3% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 13 · air traffic/airport 3
Month by month
Not enough months with data to draw a trend.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA 4818 | 8:15 a.m. | 217 | 80% | 0.5% | −10 min | CommutAir |
| UA 4288 | 12:35 p.m. | 180 | 83% | 0.6% | −10 min | CommutAir |
| UA 4364 | 5:21 p.m. | 278 | 78% | 1.8% | −9 min | CommutAir |
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 3 |
| Aug 3, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Aug 21, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2025 | 3 | 33% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Columbia. None has been clearly more reliable than IAD → CAE.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAD → CAE (this route) | 908 | 80% | 1.8% |
| DCA → CAE Washington Reagan National to Columbia Metropolitan | 1,092 | 63% | 5.9% |
Questions
How often are flights from IAD to CAE on time?
80% of 908 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 1.8% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly IAD to CAE?
Flights scheduled to leave at noon were the most reliable (83% on time). The 10 p.m. departures were the least (77%).
What month has the most delays from IAD to CAE?
January (66% on time). The best month is October (90%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from IAD to CAE more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last IAD–CAE flight of the day was cancelled 2.9% of the time over the past year, against 0.9% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- CAE → IAD (return)
- Washington Dulles (IAD) delays by hour
- Flights into Columbia Metropolitan (CAE)
- United 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.