Los Angeles to Washington (LAX–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
LAX–DCA is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines lead the route. The flight covers 2,306 miles in approximately 4h 40m. Beyond nonstop, 86 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines Also: MH, PR, QF | 21 | 32Q, 7M8 | 4h40-5h06 | Oneworld | MH, PR, QF | |
| AS Alaska Airlines Also: KE, QF | 7 | 73H | 4h46 | Oneworld | KE, QF | |
| DL Delta Air Lines | 7 | 752 | 4h54 | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Washington from Los Angeles
| Metric | LAX→DCA | SAN→DCA | PSP→DCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from LAX | – | 109 mi | 109 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 70 | 7 | 1 |
| Flight time | 4h 40m | 4h 24m | 3h 44m |
| Departure OTP | 88% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
LAX: PDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Los Angeles, it's 9:00 PM in Washington.
FlyAway bus runs from Van Nuys and Union Station ($9.75, 30–50 min depending on traffic). LA Metro C Line connects to Aviation/LAX station; a free shuttle covers the last mile to terminals. Ride-shares cost $20–50 from downtown. Long-term parking lots A/B are walkable; remote Lot E requires a 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.
LAX–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from LAX to DCA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. With 70 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
LAX to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from LAX to DCA ranges from 4 hours 40 minutes to 5 hours 7 minutes. The route covers a distance of 2,306 miles (3,711 km). There are approximately 70 weekly flights outbound and 91 return, totaling 161 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
86 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 5 hours via MQY. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include San Diego (SAN) and Palm Springs (PSP).