Houston to Washington (IAH–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IAH–DCA is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and American Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,207 miles in approximately 2h 42m. Beyond nonstop, 90 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: EK, NZ | 66 | 319, 320, 738, 73G | 2h42-3h11 | Star Alliance | EK, NZ | |
| AA American Airlines | 32 | CR9 | 2h47-3h24 | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Washington from Houston
| Metric | IAH→DCA | HOU→DCA | AUS→DCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from IAH | – | 24 mi | 140 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 112 | 22 | 8 |
| Flight time | 2h 42m | 2h 29m | 2h 29m |
| Departure OTP | 0% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
IAH: CDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Houston, it's 7:00 PM in Washington.
IAH has no direct rail link to downtown Houston. The IAH Express bus runs from Houston Amtrak/Greyhound station via Park & Ride to Terminal C (60–90 min, $1.25 with METRO Q card). This is the only transit option; Houston's rail network does not reach the airport.Taxis from downtown Houston cost $50–70 and take 40–60 minutes. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) are typically $35–55. IAH sits 23 miles north of downtown on the North Freeway (I-45); traffic is heavy during morning and evening rush. Remote economy parking lots serve all terminals via shuttle.
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.
IAH–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IAH to DCA
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines and United Airlines. With 112 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IAH to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IAH to DCA ranges from 2 hours 42 minutes to 3 hours 24 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,207 miles (1,942 km). There are approximately 112 weekly flights outbound and 118 return, totaling 230 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
90 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via IAB. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Houston (HOU) and Austin (AUS).