Detroit (DTW) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 93% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 63% — a 30-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (87% vs 60%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.5%
- Flights/day
- 8.5
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 13m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,123 mi
Best airline from DTW to DEN
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 83% | 13 min | 0.5% | 1,517 |
| Frontier Airlines | 82% | 15 min | 0.6% | 855 |
| Southwest Airlines | 77% | 14 min | 0.4% | 1,355 |
| Delta Air Lines | 76% | 15 min | 0.6% | 2,635 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to DEN
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (42%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 81% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 14 min |
| Friday | 78% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 13 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft29%
- Airline operations38%
- National airspace system31%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to DEN delayed?
- 21% of DTW–DEN 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 1,517 flights. 4 airlines flew DTW–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to DEN?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (42%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to DEN?
- The scheduled DTW–DEN flight time averages 3h 13m over 1,123 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are DTW to DEN flights cancelled?
- 0.5% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to DEN?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 30-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,364 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.