Baltimore (BWI) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Baltimore (BWI) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2025, 91% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 69% — a 22-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (89% vs 68%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 6.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 37m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 409 mi
Best airline from BWI to DTW
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 87% | 13 min | 1.3% | 2,336 |
| Southwest Airlines | 74% | 15 min | 1.3% | 1,592 |
| Frontier Airlines | 69% | 25 min | 1.9% | 312 |
| Spirit Airlines | 68% | 32 min | 1.4% | 141 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from BWI to DTW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 87% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 84% | 10 min |
| Thursday | 85% | 12 min |
| Friday | 78% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 25 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft48%
- Airline operations34%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from BWI to DTW delayed?
- 19% of BWI–DTW flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 15 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from BWI to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 2,336 flights. 4 airlines flew BWI–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from BWI to DTW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (56%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from BWI to DTW?
- The scheduled BWI–DTW flight time averages 1h 37m over 409 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are BWI to DTW flights cancelled?
- 1.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from BWI to DTW?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 69% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2025 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 22-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
- Return route: DTW to BWI on-time stats
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport departure performance
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport airport reliability
- Delta Air Lines on-time record
- Southwest Airlines on-time record
- Frontier Airlines on-time record
- Spirit Airlines on-time record
More routes from BWI
Based on 4,407 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.