87% of flights from Kansas City to Washington arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is better than the typical U.S. route. The noon departures ran on time 88% of the time; the 5 p.m. ones 86%. 8% 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 MCI → IAD: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 40% of the time. About 1 in 18 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 80 three hours or more; 1.8% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early87%
- 15–30 min late2.9%
- 30–60 min late2.2%
- 1–2 hours late2.6%
- 2–3 hours late1.7%
- 3+ hours late1.3%
- Diverted0.4%
- Cancelled1.8%
Share of all 719 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 | 719 | 87% | 1.8% | −11 min | 5.6% | +107 min | Mesa Airlines 71%, Republic Airways 14%, United Airlines 14% |
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 MCI). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On MCI → IAD, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 2.8% of the time, against 0.9% for its earlier flights (3.3× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 0.9% of the time (earlier flights: 1.7%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 5:45 p.m. | 2.8% | 0.9% | 0.9% | first flight 12:30 p.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 IAD 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 (93%). Worst: July (72%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 105 | 83% | 1.9% |
| Tuesday | 100 | 87% | 3.0% |
| Wednesday | 104 | 86% | 0.0% |
| Thursday | 103 | 87% | 2.9% |
| Friday | 104 | 91% | 1.9% |
| Saturday | 99 | — | — |
| Sunday | 104 | 84% | 2.9% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: air traffic/airport 7 · weather 6
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 Kansas City or Washington. None has been clearly more reliable than MCI → IAD.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCI → IAD (this route) | 719 | 87% | 1.8% |
| MCI → BWI Kansas City to Baltimore/Washington | 882 | 80% | 1.8% |
| MCI → DCA Kansas City to Washington Reagan National | 1,950 | 72% | 3.6% |
Questions
How often are flights from MCI to IAD on time?
87% of 719 scheduled flights from Kansas City, MO to Washington, DC 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 MCI to IAD?
Flights scheduled to leave at noon were the most reliable (88% on time). The 5 p.m. departures were the least (86%).
What month has the most delays from MCI to IAD?
July (72% on time). The best month is October (93%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from MCI to IAD more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last MCI–IAD flight of the day was cancelled 2.8% 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
- IAD → MCI (return)
- Kansas City (MCI) delays by hour
- Flights into Washington Dulles (IAD)
- 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.