Detroit (DTW) to Buffalo (BUF): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Buffalo (BUF) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2025, 89% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 53% — a 36-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 77% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 2.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 11m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 241 mi
Best airline from DTW to BUF
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endeavor Airmost reliable | 86% | 9 min | 2.1% | 95 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 77% | 20 min | 0.9% | 1,057 |
| Delta Air Lines | 76% | 22 min | 1.4% | 1,090 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to BUF
Aim for departures around 2 p.m. (93% on-time); avoid 11 p.m. departures (40%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 20 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 81% | 22 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 22 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 17 min |
| Friday | 72% | 24 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 22 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft12%
- Airline operations65%
- National airspace system10%
- Weather13%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to BUF delayed?
- 23% of DTW–BUF 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to BUF?
- Endeavor Air has the best on-time record on this route at 86%, based on 95 flights. 3 airlines flew DTW–BUF frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to BUF?
- Departures around 2 p.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 11 p.m. have the worst (40%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to BUF?
- The scheduled DTW–BUF flight time averages 1h 11m over 241 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are DTW to BUF flights cancelled?
- 1.2% 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 BUF?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 53% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2025 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,249 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.