Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Cleveland (CLE): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Cleveland (CLE) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 79% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 54% — a 25-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 69% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (81% vs 60%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 69%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.2%
- Flights/day
- 4.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 41m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,021 mi
Best airline from DFW to CLE
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Airlinesmost reliable | 76% | 20 min | 0.8% | 359 |
| American Airlines | 68% | 23 min | 2.3% | 3,076 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DFW to CLE
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 3 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 68% | 25 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 77% | 18 min |
| Wednesday | 71% | 20 min |
| Thursday | 67% | 24 min |
| Friday | 70% | 20 min |
| Saturday | 69% | 22 min |
| Sunday | 60% | 29 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft53%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system10%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DFW to CLE delayed?
- 31% of DFW–CLE flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 23 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DFW to CLE?
- Frontier Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 76%, based on 359 flights. 2 airlines flew DFW–CLE frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DFW to CLE?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 3 p.m. have the worst (55%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DFW to CLE?
- The scheduled DFW–CLE flight time averages 2h 41m over 1,021 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 31% of the time.
- How often are DFW to CLE flights cancelled?
- 2.2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DFW to CLE?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 54% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 79%. If your dates are flexible, that 25-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,475 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.