San Diego to Washington (SAN–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SAN–DCA is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Alaska Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 2,271 miles in approximately 5h 5m. Beyond nonstop, 47 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS Alaska Airlines | 7 | 7M8 | 5h05 | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Washington from San Diego
| Metric | SAN→DCA | LAX→DCA |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SAN | – | 109 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 7 | 35 |
| Flight time | 5h 5m | 4h 40m |
| Departure OTP | 91% | – |
Travel Essentials
SAN: PDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in San Diego, it's 9:00 PM in Washington.
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.
SAN–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SAN to DCA
San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from Alaska Airlines. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SAN to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SAN to DCA ranges from 5 hours 5 minutes. The route covers a distance of 2,271 miles (3,655 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 14 return, totaling 21 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
47 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 6 hours via RDU. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Los Angeles (LAX).