Ottawa to Washington (YOW–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
YOW–DCA is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Air Canada leads the route. The flight covers 453 miles in approximately 1h 35m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Air Canada | 7 | CR9 | 1h35 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Washington from Ottawa
| Metric | YOW→DCA | YUL→DCA |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from YOW | – | 94 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 7 | 21 |
| Flight time | 1h 35m | 1h 50m |
| Departure OTP | 100% | – |
Travel Essentials
YOW: EDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Ottawa, it's 6:00 PM in Washington.
Canadian citizens do not need a visa or ESTA to enter the United States for tourism or business stays up to 6 months. A valid Canadian passport is required for air travel. Land and sea crossings also accept a NEXUS card, enhanced driver's license, or FAST card. At the border, officers determine the length of stay and may ask for proof of ties to Canada and a return plan.
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.
YOW–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from YOW to DCA
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from Air Canada. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
YOW to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from YOW to DCA is about 1 hours 35 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 453 miles (728 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 7 return, totaling 14 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Toronto Pearson, Montreal / Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Boston Logan. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Montréal (YUL).