Detroit (DTW) to Hartford (BDL): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Hartford (BDL) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2025, 92% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 69% — a 23-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 83% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 75%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 83%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 3.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 42m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 549 mi
Best airline from DTW to BDL
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 83% | 12 min | 1.5% | 2,419 |
| Spirit Airlines | 79% | 20 min | 0.0% | 82 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to BDL
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (67%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 84% | 13 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 85% | 11 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 85% | 10 min |
| Thursday | 84% | 11 min |
| Friday | 82% | 11 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 15 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft23%
- Airline operations54%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather10%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to BDL delayed?
- 17% of DTW–BDL 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 12 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to BDL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 2,419 flights. 2 airlines flew DTW–BDL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to BDL?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (67%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to BDL?
- The scheduled DTW–BDL flight time averages 1h 42m over 549 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 17% of the time.
- How often are DTW to BDL flights cancelled?
- 1.4% 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 DTW to BDL?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 69% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2025 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 23-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,561 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.