Denver to Washington (DEN–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
DEN–DCA is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. Frontier, Air Canada and United Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,472 miles in approximately 3h 12m. Beyond nonstop, 81 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F9 Frontier | 21 | 320, A20N | 3h12-3h31 | – | – | |
| AC Air Canada | 7 | 32Q | 3h24 | Star Alliance | – | |
| UA United Airlines | 7 | 32Q | 3h17 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
DEN: MDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Denver, it's 8:00 PM in Washington.
RTD A Line commuter rail runs from Denver Union Station to the airport (37 min, $10.50). Trains depart every 15 minutes during peak hours. The airport is 25 miles northeast of downtown; ride-shares cost $35–55 and take 30–45 minutes depending on I-70 traffic.Economy parking in lots 4–6 connects via free shuttle. Mountain shuttle services depart from Jeppesen Terminal's Ground Transportation level.
The Metro station is inside Terminal B/C with covered walkway access; Terminal A requires a short outdoor walk or shuttle. Yellow and Blue line trains run to downtown DC in 15–25 minutes for $2.25–$3.85.
Taxis and Uber/Lyft operate from designated pick-up zones outside each terminal; fares to downtown run $15–30. DCA serves the National Mall area and is well-positioned for the U.S. Capitol, Pentagon, and downtown offices. International arrivals clear customs at DCA only for pre-cleared flights; most international traffic uses IAD (Dulles). Rental cars are in a consolidated facility accessible by shuttle.
Humid subtropical climate. Summers (June–August) are hot and very humid at 29–34°C with frequent afternoon thunderstorms causing ground stops and airspace flow programs. The summer storm season is the primary operational disruption risk at DCA. Spring and autumn are transitional with variable conditions and occasional severe thunderstorm outbreaks.
Winters (December–February) bring cold temperatures (−2 to 7°C) with occasional snowstorms that disproportionately affect the DC area due to limited snow-removal infrastructure. Even moderate snowfall (5–10 cm) can shut regional airports for hours. Pack layers for winter; the region's storm response is notoriously inconsistent.
DEN–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DEN to DCA
Denver International Airport (DEN) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from Air Canada, Frontier and United Airlines. With 35 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
DEN to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DEN to DCA ranges from 3 hours 12 minutes to 3 hours 31 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,472 miles (2,369 km). There are approximately 35 weekly flights outbound and 36 return, totaling 71 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
81 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via IAB. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.