Flying from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport (ILM): What you need to know
Your travel plans take shape at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Check out your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport (ILM) jetting off from either of these bases.
Book a direct Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 30 minutes.
Washington DC and Wilmington (where Wilmington International Airport is located) share the UTC-4 timezone. That means you won't have to adjust your watch once you arrive.
The busiest route is from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Wilmington International Airport (ILM), with 16 direct services every week. If you'd rather get moving right away, the earliest flight from DCA to ILM is the 8:10am American Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 9:29pm with American Airlines.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Washington DC to ILM. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.
With more travellers during peak seasons, you'll want to get to your terminal earlier than usual. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will allow for additional wait times.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport (ILM) operate out of this terminal.
American Airlines is a popular carrier that operates direct flights from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport leaving from DCA.
Most travellers prefer to book seats with American Airlines from DCA to ILM.
With 71.43% of services landing as planned, American Airlines is the best performing carrier for punctuality on this route.
Travelling from central Washington DC to DCA takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and get a little more snooze time) by picking one of these stays near Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Of all flights leaving Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
DCA is located at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
You can book a direct Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport (ILM) flight ticket with departures from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Work out whether leaving from IAD works best for your plans.
Avelo Airlines operates direct flights from Washington DC to ILM departing from IAD. Book your favourite window (or aisle) seat and reach your destination in a single stretch.
On the IAD to ILM route, Avelo Airlines is the favourite choice for most passengers.
IAD is around 56 kilometres from central Washington DC. It'll take you 50 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your Washington DC to ILM flight? Check in to a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport before your break officially starts. These stays have a room with your name on it:
74.39% of all departures from Washington Dulles International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
IAD is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Start your trip at Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and head straight to your destination without any layovers. You can book direct flights from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport from here.
Get ready for takeoff with Avelo Airlines. It offers direct Washington DC to ILM flight tickets from BWI.
The airline most travellers choose when flying between BWI and ILM is Avelo Airlines.
BWI is roughly 48 kilometres from central Washington DC. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes about 50 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll be at your gate with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport flight:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that measures how often flights reach their destinations without delays. At BWI, that rate is 77.13%.
About Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
If you have a late flight from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these options near ILM:
Travel at your own speed with a Wilmington International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Budget, Alamo or Avis and discover more of Wilmington and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
The address for ILM is 1740 Airport Boulevard.
Getting from Wilmington International Airport (ILM) to central Wilmington
Wilmington International Airport is roughly 6 kilometres from central Wilmington. How long it'll take to get there in a cab or car rental depends on the time of day. Do some research before your trip.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 2 hours 50 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport is C$197. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$105. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Washington DC to ILM if you book in advance. Airlines often have some excellent early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport tickets throughout the month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your dates are flexible.
Stay on top of deals for flight tickets from Washington DC to ILM by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport (ILM). July is the peak month for travel to Wilmington. If a slower pace sounds more appealing, go in February.
Before locking in your Washington DC to ILM flight ticket, consider the kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Wilmington, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport in January when temperatures are between 1ºC (34ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).
More about Wilmington
Start your Wilmington trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Wilmington International Airport, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city, it can be tricky to know where to start. Airlie Gardens, Historic District and Wilmington Riverwalk are popular attractions which should feature on any good Wilmington itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've done Wilmington, now it's time to explore other corners of the United States. Travel around 290 kilometres north-west to Charlotte to check off its popular sights. From Bechtler Museum of Modern Art to Discovery Place and NASCAR Hall of Fame, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
If you're eager to discover another major stop in the United States, consider Raleigh, roughly 177 kilometres north of Wilmington. North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Dorothea Dix Park are among its highlights.