Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 86% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 66% — a 20-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (84% vs 66%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.7%
- Flights/day
- 9.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 40m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 986 mi
Best airline from DFW to DTW
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 83% | 17 min | 1.4% | 2,913 |
| Spirit Airlines | 79% | 17 min | 0.9% | 780 |
| Frontier Airlines | 78% | 15 min | 1.5% | 464 |
| American Airlines | 69% | 22 min | 2.2% | 3,628 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DFW to DTW
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 22 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 80% | 19 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 17 min |
| Friday | 76% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 24 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft47%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system12%
- Weather9%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DFW to DTW delayed?
- 24% of DFW–DTW 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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DFW to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 2,913 flights. 4 airlines flew DFW–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DFW to DTW?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 7 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 DFW to DTW?
- The scheduled DFW–DTW flight time averages 2h 40m over 986 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are DFW to DTW flights cancelled?
- 1.7% 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 DTW?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 86%. If your dates are flexible, that 20-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 7,821 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.